March 17- Havasupai Falls

We woke up with the sun and knew that the weather was going to be up in the air. Would it be hot or cold? It was hard to tell and therefore a little hard to plan. No one wants to freeze!! We had what we needed though. It was about an hour from Peach Springs and then we were able to start the hike. It was cloudy and cool, absolutely perfect for hiking. It was silent and stunning and everything grand in the word grand. It becomes a part of you. The strength of the rock, the warmth of the sand, the colors of opposites and harmony. I would see the lines in the earth and it reaffirmed the truth that my lines on my body... my stretch marks and my wrinkles, they are my beauty. They are my strength. Like the earth I wear them as a badge of honor and what I've given to have the privilege of bearing beautiful children. Of being a woman who has aged, With grace. With sorrow. 

I will not be told my worth by someone else. By another's actions. It is inherent that I am divine. As are all of us.

We walked downhill (very gradual and not so gradual at the start) for 10 miles. It took a few hours and we were stopping to enjoy the scenery. We had a lunch break. It was amazing. We hiked into camp and everything changed from rock to a lush river that was turquoise and white. You could feel the power and the noise was such a comfort. I sweat I have never breathed that well before in my life. Small caveat, the donkey smell was super pungent in the heat. We definitely had to move over for the donkey's! The were hauling!!

Once we came to Supai we had to stop for Indian Tacos. They were huge and the biggest smile out of Joseph was eating them. It's just nice to know you won't have to starve. We walked around the falls for a bit before we set up camp. They are like nothing I've ever experienced. If heaven looks like these falls I will not be surprised. Our bags came at 5 and we set up camp and enjoyed a simple meal that Joseph cooked. He does well with the jet boil and pouring water. It was quite a success and I loved not having to cook for a week!!!

We slept well, as well as you can on the ground, and our tent was incredibly well insulated!! Very comfortable!!

 

March 16- Vegas and Driving Down to Arizona

I had tried for 6 years to get permits to Havasupai Falls. It's a little bit of a unicorn in terms of getting the permits... super hard. But by some miracle, it was our time to go! I got the permits for Joseph and I and even the mules to pack our stuff in. It took a little bit of planning and we were up for the task!! We worked so well together, probably because it was our first big vacation together. We left Sunday and were back Friday.

My dad was so gracious to watch the little kids. He took them shoe shopping, got them haircuts and Ella got her hair dyed with highlights,,,, they were in very loving wonderful hands. I think to be honest they forgot about us.

We headed to the airport and had a rough flight out to Vegas. It was super bumpy and I was feeling very panicked to leave the children. Having a child die means I just feel like separation is a lot harder. Its physically taxing on my body and anxiety sets in. Fortunately I felt God's comfort and was able to relax for the most part. WE HAD ZERO RECEPTION. I couldn't even call my babies.

Fortunately we were in such a beautiful setting that it was impossible not to feel at peace.

We got into Vegas and did some last minute food shopping. We were spot on with our needs. We bought a miniature tent that we thought we'd put our suitcases in from REI, but it was a mini tent for dolls. $30. Thank goodness we could return it. Our bags were a last minute panic because I wasn't sure if we could do the OSPREY backpacks, so Jody figured out using our inflatable kayaks and paddle board bags. The mules ended up ripping them but duct tape is a miracle worker.

We are foodies and ate at a fake restaurant with high ratings and all fake flowers. It wasn't that great. But Pinkbox donuts were!!! We were pretty sugared out by them. We drove 3 hours to get to our hotel in Peach Springs, an hour away from Havasupai Falls start of the hike. It was pretty desolate, but we were able to get our check in information and tags and sleep through the really loud trains that came by every 20 minutes.