Havasupai

An anxious energy welled up inside of me as Jared and I looked down into the massive canyon below us. The sun was shining bright onto the switchbacks below and as we began our descent with packs on our backs, the trail seemed almost unforgiving. A couple miles later, when the ground leveled out, our feet sank into the sand and dust encircled us as we took one turn after another and continued walking and walking, obedient to the sprawling trail before us.

The canyon was beautiful and intimidating. It was a canyon that took my breath away because of its expanse and because of the evidence of God's handiwork. Jared and I stopped briefly to admire a flowering cactus or to take a picture next to an oddly placed cottonwood tree in the middle of the trail. We talked about the beauty and magic that surrounded us as we trudged through the never-ending wash; as our thoughts cleared from being out in the open and away from the trenches, we talked about our family; and we walked in silence and determination as we felt the peace, as well as the weight of that canyon. This was an experience I needed to have with Jared. For several weeks before this trip, it seemed we had been missing each other or just connecting in brief passing moments. And after several weeks of un-routine, random responsibilities cropping up, in addition to all of my regular day-to-day business, this was an experience I needed for myself. I felt hope that I could use this trip as an opportunity to connect again - with my husband, with God, and with myself.

Once at the village, Jared and I regenerated with a quick rest and lunch, and we refreshed with a scoop of ice cream as the dogs of the village became our friends and the wind furiously blew the sand from the village path our way.

 

We thought the end was in sight as we re-grouped with Jared's siblings and their spouses and started toward the campground, where our labors would surely end after a couple miles. But once we walked the full extent of the overcrowded campground finding nowhere to camp, we began the demoralizing search for a spot, any spot, where we could set up our tents, rid ourselves of the weight of our packs, and rest our weary feet.

When we were about to plant ourselves almost in the middle of a dusty, shade-deprived trail, some generous campers chose to pay forward a favor another group had paid them the night before. They moved over and generously shared their spot with us. Even though we all slept on un-even ground that night and had to play cards at the midget table that put all of our long legs to sleep, we were grateful to have a place to settle. The fact that our spot was next to the stream, in the shade, and a short distance from the bathrooms was a huge bonus.

We were all ready to rest. Jared tied up our hammocks and Chad and Julianne rested on top of their tent because they were tired of searching for the pole that came up missing. We all searched for the most acceptable rocky or slanted spot we could find and set up our tents.

After we had all rested enough, we took a short hike to Havasupai Falls where we played in the super cold water for a while before dinner. We kissed under the falls and swam against the current to get back massages as the water beat down on the rocks. I almost went over a waterfall and made Julianne and a hesitant stranger rescue me. The stranger guy who was close enough to save me kept telling me I'd be fine. Apparently he preferred that I just go over the falls (granted, they were only about five feet, but I didn't know that!) but after I screamed enough, he finally offered me his hand at the same time Julianne was able to get to me.

After working up a big appetite, our freeze-dried beef stew tasted delicious. Eric and Kathleen seemed to be enjoying their gourmet backpacker meal until somehow the tail end of their dinner spilled all over Eric. Kudos to Eric for keeping his cool, although I still think it's unfortunate that I wasn't allowed to take a picture. Thanks to Keith packing in an extra sweatshirt, Eric didn't freeze that night and he rocked the three-quarter sleeve look.

The next morning we all got going after watching Chad do some impressive yoga poses to help loosen up his back.

The plan was to hike to Mooney Falls and from there go a couple more miles to Beaver Falls. Unfortunately, I didn't make it down the sheer cliffs to Mooney Falls, despite there being chains and carved-in steps to help with the climb. I was overcome with a paralyzing fear, so I returned to camp where I hung out in my hammock for a while, took a little hike of my own, and wrote a few things I'd been wanting to get out of my head. The pictures the others took of Beaver Falls were absolutely stunning and I was so proud of all of them for being so brave. From the looks of it, the payoff for their courage was huge!

After a while, Jared came running back to camp to be with me. We hiked up to the village where we sipped on an amazingly refreshing lemonade and we shared a delicious fry bread - quite possibly the most comforting food ever! Jared made me super happy by running back to be with me and we had such a great afternoon together. Being together in the middle of nature like we were was so good for us!

By the time we got back to camp, the others were just returning as well. Jared and I really wanted to go to Navajo Falls - we had seen it hiking down from the village and we just had to play in it for a while! A few of those who had hiked to Beaver Falls were up for it, so we bandaged up Jared's raw feet where his sandals had been too harsh (thanks to Keith again who brought the tape) and took a little time before dinner to play. The falls here were really cool because we were able to climb onto the rocks behind the falls and jump through the falls into the pool. I get freaked out easily, but Jared talked me into it and I'm so glad he did. We had so much fun and there was something so invigorating about being in a pool of water under beautiful falls.

 Our last night was a restless one for me. I was cold and I wanted to make sure we didn't sleep in because we had a big hike ahead of us the next morning. We got up around 4:30 and by 5:30 we hit the trail, packs on our backs once again, and headed off to come full circle from where we began.

We tried to be fast in order to beat the sun as much as possible. We had shade for about two hours and Jared started keeping track of our trail kills - how many people we passed vs. how many people passed us. He assured me that there was no pressure, it was just something to do to keep the hike interesting. But when we saw a pregnant woman hiking with her husband who was carrying a three-year-old on his back, Jared informed me that we had to beat those guys. I pushed it and eventually we passed them and never saw them again, which I can't say for everyone we passed.

At the end, I was tired, it was hot, and the switchbacks were hard to climb. The only relief available was at the top and I knew I had to get myself there. Some hard-core hiker guys passed us right toward the end, and I ended up at a -1 on my kills. Jared had to maintain some manner of pride, so he passed a couple who was struggling on the very last switchback and ended up with a +1.  If I hadn't been exhausted, I might have been proud of him.

We threw our packs down by the car and Jared went back to the top of the trail and bought another fry bread for us. After the feeling of satisfaction from some "substantial" food set in, we threw down our sleeping bags and rested for about an hour and a half until the others arrived by helicopter. They videotaped the ride and the scenery was impressive. That had to have been an amazing view of the Grand Canyon.

 

Then we all jumped into our cars and started the long ride home, and just like that, it was over.

But after a trip like that, it's never really over because it's part of me now. Since I've been home, I've thought long and hard about our backpacking trip...something I never thought I'd do, but I'm so glad I did. It's one of those experiences that you just can't have without being changed somehow. And because my life, personality, and experiences are my own, the changes that happened in me are personal and some of my experiences from that trip are even sacred.

There are so many analogies and lessons from that trip to the canyon. I can see so many parallels to life from our little journey. Something about being one person hiking through an enormous canyon helped me put a few things in perspective. Other things continued to overwhelm and press on me. Regardless of the mistakes I made on that trip or of the parts of my life I wasn't able to clarify, the formidable canyon was forgiving and was my teacher. How grateful I am to a loving Heavenly Father for that stunning, Heaven-touched place where I was able to learn.