The taste of nostalgia

We went to The Grand Canyon today. Amazing!!! I took tons of great pictures, sat by the rim and felt how small I was and then ate a bowl of vegetarian chili that reminded me of home. We had lunch at the fancy pants lodge that was at the south rim. The chili tasted like the chili that Clay and I always cooked during the fall. It tasted sad in my mouth but I soon got over it and moved on to a salad.
The views today were overwhelming at times and just awesome. I would go back in a heartbeat. There was this overhang that was just calling my name so I ventured out and took a seat. I'm very scared of heights so this was insane for me to do. Sitting there and looking out into that canyon was the best thing I could have done for myself today. Lauren was across the way and got a great picture. It's the one I posted with this blog and I'm in the top right corner. Click on the picture and it will make it larger so you can see me. Every time I think back about sitting there I get a rush of anxiety!!
I've got the vodka and tonic back out tonight and laughing my ass off. It's great to be with such great friends right now and really let loose. It's much need!

You better get used to it

So this morning I had the great idea of taking a run on this awesome trail here in Flagstaff. Not sure what made me think that was a good idea. Between the nice dry heat and the altitude I about busted a lung. So my jog turned into an hour power walk. Upon returning I was covered in a nice layer of dirt and coughing my internal organs up. It was great. Hey at least I got to sweat and feel for a while.
So one really shitty thing about the dryness out here is that my hair is breaking off. It dries really fast which is nice but I'm going to have a lot less of it when I get home! We went back into downtown Flagstaff for lunch and then got a relaxing pedicure. Tonight we just hung out and tried to relax.
My life is upside down right now. I'm about to go through a divorce if you did not know already. I'm just going to put it out there. It sucks, it hurts and it's sad. I'm not going to pretend any longer that I'm okay with it because I'm not. I'm hoping this trip will give me the strength that I need when I return home to get through what lies ahead. I'm so grateful for the company that I keep and being surrounded by strong people that will help me. It's very important in times like these to have people that can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. The light is very dim right now but I know it will be brighter one day.

Sedona-rita

This morning we got up and headed out for a nice scenic drive through the mountains into Sedona. The four of us did about five hours of shopping. We were total tourist today in our search for amazing turquoise jewelry and thoroughly exhausted once we were done. The red rocks in Sedona are amazing and we have planned to return there for our last day and hike to Cathedral Rock. I've been told it's a steep but amazing hike and well worth it once to make it to the top. People claim that the vibe on top of the rock is like no other and that I should benefit from those good vibes it gives out. I'll take anything I can get right now. I must recommend the Oaxaca Mexican Restaurant in Sedona and their house margarita. It was the best thing I could have done for myself yesterday. Two of those bad boys and I was good to go.
Summer headed back home today after spending two days with us. It was really great to see her and reconnect. We only see each other every few years. We bonded several years back during an amazing summer time filled with all sorts of stuff young girls do that their parent's would be ashamed off ;-) We reminisced about riding on the back of motorcycles, hanging out at The Waffle House all night, shooting guns, chasing boys and spending our paychecks as soon as we got them. Sounds real classy.
Tomorrow is our "day off" which means we don't have to drive anywhere and we have no set plans. It will be nice to relax and not get behind the wheel.

Petrified

Today started off good until we took a wrong turn. 40 miles later we were back where we started. Once we made it to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert things started looking up. We got some great pictures and saw some amazing landscape. We spent several hours winding around the state park and taking in the sights...then hunger struck. We hit up historic Flagstaff for dinner and then came home and crashed. Flagstaff is a college town and these kids make for great people watching while eating. The downtown area was having an "art walk" and each store had cookies and wine, for free. So dessert was awesome.
I was really smart and forgot to wear sunscreen today so now I'm a very attractive shade of red in some really great areas. I'm really smart these days.

Vaca...ting

I think it may have started today...vacation. I have finally relaxed a little and am feeling the good vibes of my friends. My old friend Summer came up from Phoenix today. She's joining us for a few days of tourist fun. We spent the afternoon exploring historic Flagstaff and doing the shopping thing. We cooked an awesome dinner on the grill and enjoyed eating around the table like a family. After dinner spirits were a must...well before dinner spirits were a must too ;-) I'm feeling good and that lumpy sofa bed is calling my name...

Driving and crying

15 hours of driving will make anyone want to cry. My whole body aches unlike any ache I've ever felt. We hit a pretty cool trading post that almost made that drive worth it.
In my attempt to avoid Cracker Barrel I landed at a Golden Corral. We all know how that is going to end up...or come out ;-)
Upon arrival in Flagstaff we had trouble finding the apartment we rented and then we could not find the lock box where the key was suppose to be. It was a very intense half an hour that I am glad is over.
I've never been so happy to be on a lumpy hard sofa bed in my whole life. Reminds me of making my grandmother sleep on her sofa bed with me when I was a kid. I always wanted to sleep in the TV room and wanted her in there with me. Tonight I will go this sofa bed alone. The gals may find me folded up in it come morning.

Picking up speed...

And picking up the pieces. Today was an intense drive from Atlanta to Oklahoma City where I have landed in a very scary Comfort Inn. I'm sad to say my head is no clearer than it was yesterday. Remind me not to eat at a Cracker Barrel for the next hundred years unless I was to cry into my salad.
On a happier note our drive was pretty decent, no rain, no wrecks and no "oh shit" moments. We passed through Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and then Oklahoma. I was lucky enough to have a run-in with the Alabama State Patrol. One ticket in 850 miles is not too bad. Tomorrow will take us another 850 miles on to Flagstaff and we make take a detour into Santa Fe.
Well off to bed and perhaps to buy a special friend a birthday gift online before my head hits the pillow!