So, I’m back in NY at my brother’s.
The rest of my Arizona trip was simply phenomenal but very emotional. After a stop at Montezuma’s castle, which was really cool (thanks again h0peless), we drove up to Sedona. The red rock canyons? Sandstones? Whatever they’re called, are simply beautiful. Straight out of a movie, which makes sense since I was told that a good deal of filming is done here. We took a 3 hour jeep tour, which was fantastic. I know there are no solicitations here, so I’ll just say that our jeep was hot pink. Really cool people to deal with and fantastic guide. Our tour was a combo one, off-roading on what is called the Broken Arrow trail as well as a scenic tour. Tons of fun in one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Across the street from the jeep tour was a little shop with the best fudge I’ve ever tasted. We were walking down the street and the smell just wafts out into the street and before I knew it we were inside just inhaling the stuff. Sedona Fudge Company. Really heavenly. Really weird thing that happened with that fudge (Hey! Get your mind out of the gutter!). I bought some to bring home to my wife. How screwed up is that? She’s a choco-holic and I couldn’t help but think that my wife would love this and so I bought a bunch for her. It was so normal for me. We’re both like that. Whenever either of us are someplace and see something we think the other will like or enjoy, we buy it for each other. I wasn’t even thinking about what I was doing. I just bought and commented to Brad that I gotta buy this for Mrs. Walloped. Brad didn’t say anything until we walked out. There I was holding a bag of fudge and he was just looking at me funny. And then he asked me if I was okay, and I said sure. Mrs. Walloped is going to love this. And then it hit me. I stared at the bag and I looked back and Brad and then I broke down smack in the middle of the street. I got so messed up about it. Because why hadn’t she been thinking of me when she had her affair? I’m sure she was someplace and she would have seen something that would have triggered a “You know, Walloped would really like this,” thought and then maybe she would have realized what she was doing? Or did she just suppress all those thoughts, I don’t know.
Of course, now I don’t know whether to give it to her or not – does it send a message? Is that a good thing, bad thing? I have no freaking clue.
Anyway, after I collected myself, we got a bite to eat and headed up to the Grand Canyon (we didn’t go to Jerome or Oak Creek -sorry Canoe, saw your post too late). I had booked us a room at the Yavapai Lodge, which was a nice, simple place, and pretty decent location for a really late booking. After checking in, we took a couple of shuttles to Hopi Point to watch the sunset. Got there about 45 minutes before and settled in. It was one of the most breathtaking things I’ve ever seen in my life. I didn’t even realize I was crying until Brad handed me a couple of napkins. I think I’ve said before that I’m not a crier. Can’t say that anymore. I feel like I’ve been crying for 4 weeks straight. I do remember sitting there, and thinking how I wished it was my wife with me to witness this beauty. How much she’d love it. And that there are beautiful things in this world and so many blessings, and that I should be grateful for what I do have and stop pitying myself. And then I prayed. Silly, huh? At the Grand Canyon. I just saw it as a Divine place and so I asked for guidance and strength and that whatever path I choose, it should be for the right reasons. I prayed for my kids. That they should come through all of this alright. And I prayed for my wife. Is that weird? I couldn’t help it. I prayed that she finds what she needs to heal herself and maybe heal us. And that she should have the strength to do what she thinks is right.
We wanted to hike down the canyon, so Tuesday we got up really early and were on the South Kaibab Trail by 6:30 in the morning. Went past Ooh Aah Point and then stopped a bit at Cedar Ridge, which is roughly 1.5 miles down and halfway to Skeleton Point. We rested there before heading back up. It reminded me of the Piestawa Peak trail given the steps, but we now had to navigate around the mule pies. The views were out of this world. Truly amazing. Took a little over 5 hours for the whole hike (we were pretty quick going down, but it took nearly double going back up). Much, much steeper and tougher hike getting back up, than we had thought, but it wasn’t too crazy. No shade and the heat was pretty bad on the way up. By the way, Brad’s new name is now Wuss. He kept saying how he couldn’t wait to go back to the spa at the Phoenician and get a pedi.
After lunch, we made the 4 hour drive back to the Phoenician. We split the driving this time as our thighs were killing us. Dinner, beer outdoors at the fire pit. Slept a little late yesterday and had a real relaxing, veg-out type of day. Swim in the morning before a late check out and then went to Old Town Scottsdale to check out the art galleries, before catching our flight back to NY. Got in early this morning. Took a cab to my brother’s house. Was weird not to be going to mine.
And here I am. I’ve got IC tonight. That should be fun. I’m going to stop off at the house and pick up the kids for dinner. Looking forward to that. Bought them some crap from Arizona. Got myself a t-shirt from Sedona that says “If a man speaks in the desert and there’s no woman around, is he still wrong?” I think I’m going to bring the fudge. Don’t know if I’m doing it for the right reasons though. Maybe it’s coming from a moral superiority stance? Sort of, “See? I think of you. Why the hell didn’t you think of me?”
Anyway, all in all, getting away was a really excellent idea (if I may say so myself). I had a blast. Brad’s a great guy. Beautiful part of the country, beautiful resort, awesome vistas and hiking. Heat sucks, but hey, you can’t have everything.
Now, back to the grind. At least I don’t go back to work until after the holiday. Hope you all have been doing well.
-W
