by the numbers...

this phase of my summer Roadtrip has come to a close. traveled west to east with christina (phase one), spent three weeks catching up with friends and family on the east coast (phase two), and drive east to the grand canyon with Kate (phase three). two more pieces to go... chilling our west (phase four, this coming week), and grand canyon rafting trip (phase five) yet to go. woah.

by the numbers, Kate and I traveled 3,610 miles together in 9 short days.

since I left SF 6 weeks ago, I have driven close to 8,500 miles... and I am still a month away from being back in sf. there is so much to think about and to say about that... but right now, I need some sleep. ;)

crack of dawn. literally.

to make kate's 10am flight out of Phoenix, we had to leave Sedona by 6am. the alarm sure came fast this am!

although we were both in a non-caffeinated haze, we drove out of Sedona as the sun was rising behind the giant red rocks, and it was gorgeous. I'm glad Kate got to see the beauty, even if only in passing.

the drive down to phoenix was fast, and as we descended the mountains, the landscape filled with giant cactus, and the temps rose rapidly. as the news told us, the temps in Phoenix haven't gone below 90° at night for 6 days, and it was already over 100° at 8am when I dropped her off. ugh!

our goodbye was brief. we have had the adventure of a lifetime in the past 9 days. there are no words available to top off our adventure.

winding down

we took our last looks, and left the grand canyon around 5pm, heading south towards flagstaff and Sedona. it is hard to comprehend taking anything else in, but the drive from the canyon to flagstaff up into the mountains, is another beauty unto itself. up and over 8000ft + passes, flag is nestled into the side if the mountains, and has a real charm to it. i couldn't pass up a stop at the beaver street brewery for a much needed beverage and bite to eat.

we drive down to Sedona from flag just as the sun was going down. by the time we got to town, it was dark... but you can feel the surrounding beauty.

we settled into the hotel, and we got Kate packed up for her flight back to MA. it is bittersweet for this chapter of my road trip to come to an end, but I couldn't have asked for a more special time, spent with such a special friend. I feel truly blessed to have had this time and opportunity in my life. :)

stunning, saturated and satisfied

we spent the day Monday wandering around the grand canyon village, taking in the sights, park films, gift shops and generally being overwhelmed by the canyon itself. we took the park bus out to the western viewing area if hermit's rest, and enjoyed the serenity of the ride, as well as a some time just chilling at picnic tables writing out postcards. as the culmination of an already overwhelming trip, to say that Kate and I were pretty saturated is an understatement, but it didn't take away from the wonder of the location.

the grand canyon is truly an amazing hole in the ground. it is full if history, science, culture, art, and wildlife. there are people from all over the world converging in this spot to take it in, and it is a place everyone should make a point to see in their lifetime, it is that grand. standing at the upper rim, it is truly surreal and untouchably expansive. floating on the river at the bottom of the ditch, as I will be doing again in two weeks, is another kind of connection and perspective. it is tactile, and consuming.