Awesome

Another overused word - but "awesome" is the only word that appropriately describes the Grand Canyon. As many times as we've seen it, the Canyon never fails to inspire awe - perhaps expressed best by listening to tourists from all over the world as they approach the rim - the collective gasps and "wows" in many languages say it all... not to mention the two little Japanese ladies who were singing to the Canyon, complete with dramatic hand gestures.

We reminisced a bit about our Grand Canyon hike with Todd & Bonnie - we walked down unmaintained trails to the bottom of the canyon - with Dick wearing Hush Puppies(!) Then we slept a dreamless sleep on the warm rocks beside the mighty Colorado... with the help of the bottle of cognac we had schlepped down with us. Those were the days...

Our stop at the Canyon took a little longer than we anticipated (although well worth it) and then our drive across the Navajo Nation to Durango took waaaaaay longer than we thought it would - but it has to be one of the most amazing drives on earth. Every shade of purple, green, yellow, orange, red and pink, against the blue blue sky... sometimes it looks like a moonscape of rippled dunes, sometimes a pinnacle standing alone on the desert - then there's Ship Rock (looks just like a ship!) and other wind sculptures that are mind blowing in their complexity - topped by a precariously balanced rock. The names of the towns evoke memories as well as some giggles... Cameron, Tuba City, Kayenta, Mexican Water - we even saw what we termed the Jewish Steak House - Yippee Kai Ai Oi...

In Durango today with Ben and Birgitta - hopefully some horseback riding ahead!