It’s been a while since Steve and I have stayed up overnight but that’s what happened Saturday. We had a 12:30 a.m. flight out of Las Vegas which landed at 6 a.m. Sunday. After flying through three time zones–including the end of daylight savings time mid-flight–my body had no clue what time it was when we landed.
But it was more than worth it for the experiences we had over those nine days of vacation.
Of course, the grandest experience was seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. Steve and I stood for a few moments of utter silence while the immensity of what we were seeing filled our eyes. Like everyone else, we had seen photographs of it over the years, but not one of those shots prepared us for actually standing beside it, dwarfed by its glory.
And if the most expensive cameras on earth can’t encompass the view, photos taken with my cell phone certainly aren’t going to do the job. But there was that urge to try to capture at least a corner of the majesty, as a way of saying that I was there.
There were a couple of buildings nearby that made for some lovely photos.
I also loved how the surrounding plants looked in the setting sun.
Steve and I sat on a bench together for two hours, watching the shadows constantly shifting and changing in response to the lowering of the sun. Except for a few people quietly chatting nearby, the silence was absolute. We were saying to each other that the things we worry about, the things we regret, the negative things in life–they all shrink to the size of a Cheerio in contrast with the sight of that splendor.
We stayed through the sunset and wished each other a happy 40th anniversary as the sun drifted out of view.
So thankful for the forty years of marriage I have spent with this amazing man.
we pulled over to let a car by. The place where we happened to pull over took us down a short road to another overlook.
Since Steve stayed in the car, after walking about 200 yards to the rim, I had the incredible experience of seeing the Grand Canyon while being completely alone,
No people. No sound. Nothing except me and the grand glory of God’s handwork.
I stood there in tears as I said a quiet prayer of thanks for the beauty. I attempted to gather it all in, tried to make sure that the memory of that sacred moment would last the rest of my days.
we headed to Los Angeles. Talk about a change of scenery. We went from curvy canyon roads to 14-lane freeways, seeing rivers of car lights extending miles ahead of us. That’s something we don’t see in Charlotte because the terrain is more hilly.
At the end of that long journey, we came to the welcoming haven of Aunt Yvonne’s home in Santa Ana. (Yvonne is Vernie’s younger sister who at 85, looks amazing.)
We sat for hours, just talking with her and getting reacquainted. Yvonne is a woman of rock-solid faith and highly disciplined, getting up at 4 a.m. each day for an hour of Bible reading and 45 minutes of exercise. She is a deep thinker and an astute businesswoman who didn’t retire from her career in commercial real estate until she was eighty-one years old.
I especially loved all the stories she told, not just from the family’s history but from her own life, as well.
This is my favorite one:
Yvonne was working at a particular company and when the time came to move on, the company put together a goodbye dinner at the country club. A young woman in the office was given the responsibility of bringing Yvonne’s goodbye gift but at the last minute, she got sick. Her dad graciously told her he would drop by the gift by the country club for her.
Her dad’s name? John Wayne.
We had dinner with Aunt Yvonne, her son, her daughter, and her unofficially adopted son. Steve hadn’t seen his cousin, John, in over 50 years, and they hit it off so well. Everyone was delightful company, making it a special evening we won’t forget for a long time.
After dinner, the guys got out a paper map to help plot our next couple of days of travel. It’s been years since I’ve seen a real map and it’s also been years since I’ve tried folding one. It’s hard to believe there was a time when everyone had maps in their cars.
All too soon, the goodbyes came and the next adventure started.
Most of you know how much I love a road trip and this whole vacation was all about road trips. We drove around 1900 miles!
This was the most expensive gas we saw; mostly it was around $5.50. We will never again say our North Carolina gas is expensive.
We saved money in other ways, though–splitting meals at restaurants and getting hotels on Priceline. We got this one on the Pacific Coast Highway for just $77. It came complete with a fireplace and a view of the Pacific.
And speaking of the Pacific Coast Highway, this will be the topic of next week’s blog.
In the meantime, I’ve got a big suitcase to unpack and a house to clean up from construction. (Here it is, in process.)
The wall is out and the new flooring is laid and it is amazing the change it all made. I’ll wait to share photos until everything is straightened up a little.
I’m so grateful Steve and I had this chance to get away and see some of the beautiful places on this planet. God did good when he put this amazing world together and I am thankful for every single glimpse of glory we got to see.
What about you?
Do you remember the time when all you had were paper maps? Did you struggle with folding them or did you have that technique down pat?
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever seen in nature? Or maybe something you see and appreciate every day?
What spectacular pictures of the Grand Canyon (although while looking at a few I’m thinking “don’t get so close to the edge”. How exciting for Steve to reconnect with family! And your hotel room on the PCH is too cute! I love the corner fireplace. I’m looking forward to more of your trip next week!!
Sue Ellen,
Definitely good advice at the Grand Canyon. One does NOT want to get too close! Believe me, I am never even tempted. 🙂
Happy Anniversary! – and thank you for the beautiful photos of things that many of us will never see!
Fred and Lucy,
Thank you. And you’re welcome! 🙂 I’m glad to be a “designated driver.”
Beautiful country!!! Happy :Anniversary to you two! I’m so inside happy you and Steve actually went away just for yourselves and relaxed!!!
Guerrina,
I know, right? We have never gone away for nine whole days. It was so nice, especially after the stress of this past year.
Thanks for being happy with us!
I loved paper maps. What I did not love was dad throwing a map into the backseat as he drove and frantically asking 12 year old me whether he was supposed to get off on this exit or the next. I found that the best course of action was generally making up an answer to buy me some time and then figuring out how to reroute him and make it work. Perhaps he was just manufacturing ways to improve my childhood map reading skills. I suppose it worked 🙂
Robin,
Oh I get it! When we were on the road full time, driving a big rig, I always freaked out when Steve would say, “Quick! Do we turn left or right up ahead?”
I’d open the atlas and be staring at some place in Albuquerque when we were actually in Minnesota. Helpful, I wasn’t.:-)
Sounds like you’re good with maps if you knew how to re-route your dad. Good work!
Happy 40th Anniversary!!!
The pictures are beautiful! The Grand Canyon is such a spiritual place. And, what a blessing to see family after so many years apart!
Paper maps – I love to look at them now but they were a source of folding frustration when we HAD to use them to get places. I think we miss out on some of the journey now with our GPS features.
I have so many “favorites” in nature – sunrises, sunsets (no matter the location), ocean waves, mountain vistas, but the most recent awe inspiring “site” I’ve been to is Johns Hopkins glacier in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. Pictures do NOT do it justice and the hours we spent just looking were a gift from God.
And, YAY! for progress being made on the renovations!
Suzanne,
Oooh, I’d love to see Alaska. I’ve heard the scenery is breathtaking. And you’re so right. Viewing those incredible parts of nature is truly a gift from God.
I don’t miss folding maps, either. It took a great deal of patience and dexterity. But I do the old school feeling of them. It was sort of cool using a map!
Happy 40th anniversary!
Vernie’s sister looks very good for 85.
I have belonged to AAA for 45 years so I have used a lot of paper maps and trip tiks over the years. My dad always liked to have an atlas so he could look at where people lived or were traveling. I still like having a paper map even though I use the GPS on my car. It gives a broader picture.
Some everyday nature things I appreciate – the sunrise and sunset, flowers in the spring. I think one of my favorite things I have seen in nature is Fall in New England. The colors are so vivid.
Eleven years ago, my cousin and I drove the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to San Diego – there are definitely some beautiful things in nature along that route.
Phyllis,
It is interesting to look at a paper map and get an overview of things and some context. I don’t think they will ever be discontinued because there is still a place for them.
Oh my. Fall in New Englad. Be still my heart. You are blessed to have gotten to see that.
Have been to the Grand Canyon and it is hard to explain the beauty of that place. Keep thinking that this is not in the USA, but in another country. Such beauty. So glad you and Steve were able to go and to celebrate your 40th away from the noise of saws, hammering of nails and dust. Yvonne, what an amazing woman. I am NOT a morning person and getting up at that time makes me more tired. How wonderful her faith in the Lord. What a beautiful room for only $77.00. Should try that website sometime. Welcome Home!
Sharyn,
Yvonne really is an amazing woman and talking to her made Steve and I feel a little like we were talking to Vernie. Such a special time.
Yes, Priceline has gotten me some deals in the past. The longer you are a member, the better your deals get.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad you enjoyed the trip and the pictures were wonderful but like you said, you really can’t experience that beauty without standing near the top of it. It is truly one of God’s Masterpieces. Can’t wait until your house is all done! Praying the kiddos found jobs by now and are getting settled in. Here in Mount Airy, it is in the 80’s today and going back to cool weather tomorrow. Yah!! I love the colder weather. Awaiting my husband’s fourth surgery on his foot that he shattered by falling off of a house two years ago. So much pain and so much waiting on doctor’s. UGH~
Kaye,
Your husband has had such a difficult time. Four surgeries are a lot of surgeries. I’m hoping he gets some relief from this one. I know this season has been tough on both of you.
Gage has gotten a job and Sarah is still on the lookout. It’s been nice having them here for this temporary season.
This makes me want to buy an atlas with every state in it. Phil and I want to travel after he retires. The Grand Canyon is high on the list! Along with Old Faithful. I seen Old Faithful when I was young. I’m thankful for my parents who got all their folded maps out, and took us out west a number of times when us kids were growing up, sleeping in a tent on the way. God made so much beauty for our enjoyment. I’m so glad you could make this trip and enjoy it so much. I’m going to look for that bench! 🙂
Carol,
Sleeping in a tent? Oh no, not me! You had very brave and adventurous parents. 🙂
How wonderful that they exposed you and Jo Ann and Dale to so many of the sights this country has to offer. Memories you will never forget.
We do have a 50-state atlast and it is great fun to page through it and see all the towns and roads. You and Phil will love wandering post-retirement.
The last time I used paper maps were the two trips Bill and I made from CA to MN. Here if I am going someplace I haven’t gone before I use my GPS. The most exciting things I have seen are the Grand Canyon in Kauai and the lava fields on the Island of Hawaii. They were both amazing. So nice to see the progress on your new home!
Cindy,
We saw those lava fields, as well. There is no sight quite like it.
Sounds like you are a veteran paper map user. It definitely takes a certain knack.
Becky, I do not read maps at all. Bill would pull over and I would had him the appropriate map. If I don’t know where I am going I plug in my gps! I forgot about your trip to Hawaii, fun to realize we both saw the lava fields.
Cindy,
Yes, those lava fields were so incredible. I know neither of us will ever forget them!
I remember paper maps, AAA Trip Tics as well as the Thomas Guide ( a spiral bound book of maps for particular areas). Looks like you had an amazing trip…Road Trips are amazing and now I am itching for one!
Nicole,
You’re right about road trips. It is so invigorating to see a whole new part of the country–different culture, landscapes, and people. I LOVE it! Sounds like you do, too! You need to grab a map and take a trip. 🙂
I love maps and even with GPS I still have maps in my car. They are a challenge to close. Especially after someone folds them to view one area. I suppose my favorite thing in nature is the ocean waves crashing on shore. I never tire of the sound or scent of fresh sea spray. Since I don’t live by the sea now I would say I marvel each day at the birds that frequent our feeder. The colors and actions are wonderful.
Patti,
Steve and I stuck our fingers in the Pacific Ocean while we were there. I was in CA briefly as a child but don’t think I got close to the Pacific. I can certainly understand why you love the ocean. Such beauty! And so wonderful that you also find beauty right where you are. My mom was a huge fan of birds; as you said, wonderful colors and actions.
I still love paper maps! Have 2 in the car…one in each door pocket. Use them pretty often, and just enjoy looking at them and seeing our state from that viewpoint .
Glad the canyon made you cry, a way of worship through tears.
He is worthy, above and beyond all this world.
As I know you know– so wonderful we both know!
Ruth
Ruth,
And now WE have a paper map too–the California one Yvonne gave us. So fun to have one. (In addition to our 50-state atlas buried somewhere in a box.)
Yes, the Grand Canyon is awe-inspiring beyond words. So grateful to have gotten to stand beside it and experience not only its glory but God’s glory.
Your trip sounds amazing!! I’m so glad that you got to experience the Grand Canyon!
Yes, I remember the paper maps. Dad and mom taught us how to read them and we always had so much fun helping navigate on our vacations. The glove box of the car had SO many maps. I bet there were a dozen or more. Now I keep an atlas in our car. I much prefer to see the ‘big picture’ as opposed to a Google maps screen on my phone.
I dearly love seeing beautiful sunrises and sunsets and my son does too. Quite often, we send one another pictures of them to appreciate together. It’s our special thing. <3
LeeAnne,
How sweet to share sunrises and sunsets back and forth with your son. Sometimes it is the simplest things in life that are so very sweet.
A glove box full of maps was a glove box full of adventure. How great that you were taught to actually read them. I still am a little foggy with them. 🙂