Road Trip Adventure: Grand Canyon

Before I left for the Army, I made a decision that would forever change me. I took a road trip from Memphis to the coast of southern California. So, I packed my little car with a mountain bike on the back and set out west. No hotels, no specific route, no general time-line. Just a lot of camping gear with great expectations of adventure. Adventure is such a great word, because that is exactly what it turned out to be.


Can I say... Grand Canyon! I was a little bummed on arrival to the Grand Canyon, because of failed attempts to get hiking permits before arrival. On the phone, the rangers said a hiking permit would be almost impossible. I thought I would go to the ranger station and plead for one anyway. The ranger was shockingly cool and hooked me up with a permit to hike the Grand Canyon! I couldn't start my hike until the next day. I asked the ranger if he new any free places to camp. He asked, "how primitive?" I replied, "as much into the wilderness one can get." He chuckled, as if he was going to send me miles off into the woods where no one could find me. He did just that! Let me give you an idea of how primitive this place was. As I set up camp, wild elk glared at me from afar as if they were stalking me. As I was trying to sleep, coyotes/wolves (whatever they were)were growling and fighting within 50 feet from my tent. Guess how dumb I was in the situation? I had open hot dogs in my tent. Excuse my language, but it was an "oh shit" moment. Thankfully, no coyotes or wolves attacked me for my hot dogs. As I was trying to sleep, the temperature dropped to 25 degrees. Who knew Arizona got that cold in early fall? I found out the hard way.
I woke up and began a journey to hike for a place less than 1 percent of Americans go.... the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The views of the Grand canyon from the top are cool, but the views of the canyon during the hike are breathtaking. How massive and epic is the Grand Canyon? When you look down into the canyon from the top, you can not truly see the bottom. You must hike down to see it in its full glory. I had many wonderful and personal moments with God on this hike.
About half way down, I linked up with a married couple in their 40s. I hiked the rest of the way down with them. They knew what they were doing. It is weird how you can build friendships on adventures like this. But somehow, we did. Paula and John Going (Paula calls me her adopted son in our only picture). They love God's creation so much... it's inspiring!
So, remember that I said it was 25 degrees when I woke up? In that same day, at the bottom of the canyon, it was 87 degrees. This is caused by the drastic drop in elevation. Like I said... you really can't see the bottom from the top.


The magnificent beauty of the bottom is worth every tiring step it took to get there. The fast flowing waters of the Colorado river and small streams bring life to the desert here. Deer frolic 5 feet in front of you. It is quite a serene experience. Although I was tired from the hike, I couldn't sleep because I was in awe at the vibrant sparkle of the stars. I laid there for hours just staring up out of the window of my tent. I will never stop thanking God for that moment.

Moms

Let's begin this by saying that I am truly blessed in many ways. One of the coolest blessings.... Not only do I have a biological mother, but I also have many other mother-like figures. There is Ms. Robin, Ms. Jane, Ms. Amann, Ms. Kim, Ms. Maureen, and even Ms. Renee who always tries to feed me cookies and paid me obscenely well to watch the coolest house in the world. With this many mother-like figures, I will never go a day without being prayed for. Heck... I bet I don't even go a few hours without being prayed for. I know there are other women at Hope Church that pray for me as well.... Phyllis, Ms. Morris, Ms. Brooks,... the list probably goes on and on. Man.... as I'm writing this I am amazed. Good thing God loves for people to come to Him in prayer. If not, I would be in a world of trouble.
Ms. Robin - I can't say enough about you. You know the bible so well. You are incredibly committed to Christ. You, without hesitation, went through great lengths to help me. I can not imagine what my life would look like without your guidance. I love you!

Ms. Jane - I know you will be reading this. Lets see if I can make you cry! I love you!... Crying yet? All jokes aside, that is what I love about you. You are greatly empathetic. I will never be afraid to sit in front of you and poor my heart out... wait,... I've done that many times already, haven't I? Everybody has different ways of showing love. Yours is different, but in the best way possible.

Ms. Amann - 4 years ago, with loving tears in your eyes, you asked me to mentor your son. I will admit, I wish I used opportunities to teach him more. Despite my shortcomings in that area, you still love me. You stepped up in the most troubling week of my life and showed my family Christ's love. I would have been so lost. You saved me. I love you!

Ms. Kim - For some reason, you think the world of me. I always know you are proud of me even when I feel like I haven't "made it" yet. Your undying love for your husband encourages me. When I saw my army picture framed on the wall, it helped confirm the idea that you look at me as another son. I love you!

Ms. Renee - You are such a mom! You love to spoil me. I am about the most awkward person possible when it comes to eating with a family at a dinner table. You have given me many chances. Thank you. I love you!

Ms. Maureen - Like Ms. Renee, you have given me so may chances to be awkward at the dinner table. Like a mother, you expect to see me over the holidays. Your family has been so good to me over the past 10 years. I love you!

Every single one of you deserves a book written to you. A very well written book about the impacts you have made in my life along with the love you have shown. If I did that, Memphis would flood with your tears. So, as loving previous citizen of Memphis, I will keep them short. You are great women. I love you all!