Rock on Baby Girl

First stop today was Sedona, approximately a 45-minute drive from Flagstaff and infamous for its mystic “energy vortexes” or, as the tourist office worker stated, “crazy hippie sh*t.” Though he doubted the vortexes’ power, we did not because while heading back to the car to drive around the area, we ran into Russell and Betsy, our newly married friends on their honeymoon. Of all the parking lots in all the world, they had to walk into this one. We laughed at the coincidence and promptly jumped into the car. Go forth and consummate Bussell.

Sedona was stunningly beautiful, offering scenic beauty and interesting rock formations (Jennie’s personal mecca). BB was particularly excited about a spindly tower formation that looked like “lady’s fingers.” In actuality it looked more like BB’s hands and/or an advanced case of carpal tunnel in an elderly man. Another formation reminded Cragin of a baby arm. Sleep deprived much? We also passed a street dubbed Disney Lane and thought of Jason. Ironically it was also a dead end. Jason, please reread this sentence few times.

We left Sedona for the Grand Canyon and arrived with a few hours to explore before the sunset. A brief stop at the Grand Canyon General Store (which looked like a 7-11 until you entered and it morphed into a Super Delux Walmart) to get ice for our champagne (Priority #1). We ventured to our first viewing point and were instantly captivated. Its dimensions were mind-blowing and we felt like we were staring into a movie set. We stumbled upon a bevy of young Indian men who requested that we take a photo of them. Cragin grabbed the camera and before she could figure out the zoom, the group was kneeling (apparently a desirable position for a group photo in India). Cragin exclaimed, “I’m not used to having men on their knees so soon after meeting me!” which prompted a giggle (likely out of a lack of translation) and we continued our exploration of the rim. Factor in some champagne and a sunset and our experience was complete. The Grand Canyon’s splendor wasn’t lost on us and we relished this quintessential American experience.

The powerful vortexes of Sedona were apparently at work in the canyon as well because during our shuttle bus ride back to the parking lot, Jen spotted Ann Wood, the alumni relations director for the Kent Place School on our bus. Suddenly worlds again collided. In an effort to get herself into the school’s alumni newsletter again (thanks Suz!), Cragin acted as if she were a member of the alumni as well. “It is so great to see all four of you!” Ann Wood exclaimed! See the next issue of Keeping Pace for the photo of the 5 of us.

Next stop was the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn (the word Inn is generous) which reminded us all of Deliverance. The friendly and certifiable “Inn” owner had forgotten to take her sleeping pills but had remembered to crazy pills and while affirming our directions to her establishment said to BB, “You got it! Rock on babygirl!” before launching into a 10 minute diatribe. Luckily we were only to be there for four hours as the next day was to be our 5 a.m. hike to Havasupai Falls. We drove to our door (yup, I said that) but not before passing a lone van where a large albino man was on his computer, presumably watching porn. ”We are putting a chair against the door tonight, we are not going to make a big deal about it, we are just going to slide it in here.” exclaimed Jihan. After barricading the door, we settled in for a short night’s rest.