The Grand Canyon and Vegas.

      Leaving Flagstaff Sunday morning following a pit stop at the local Starbucks we headed north toward the Grand Canyon. Forgoing the south rim, having been there before, I headed straight for the north rim. It was not some of my better work, I miscalculated badly After what seemed like innumerable hours passing dry, dreary terrain we hit HWY 89 southbound, opening up to some forested area, Darien didnt think the Canyon existed at all; "Are we just going to stumble into some giant hole in the ground?" No that's the meteor crater, further south I mused. But I  was beginning to think she had  a point. It had been nearly 4 hours and no sight of noteworthy scenery had been glimpsed. When finally we did reach the north rim it was literally like Darien described, glancing left I saw high walls punctuating a deep gully, opening up to extensive cavernous valleys. When we finally rolled into the lot. I paid the 30 dollar week pass at the automated machine. I was torn about whither to pay or not, no ranger was in sight and it was the same rate as a daily fare. I paid anyway, because I'm an honest, good citizen and I care about the maintenance, preservation and conservation of our National Parks. Yeah, that's what I convinced myself anyway. Heading off on foot, we hit the trail which expanded out to a long walkway with eye-opening canyon views on either side. It was definitely a trip of the senses, you couldn't help but goggle at the amazing terrain displayed all around you. It invoked peace of mind, as the high altitudes made one feel a reverent calm. At least that's how it hit me. Maybe the Grand Canyon hit you in different ways.

I couldn't get enough of it. Some tourists snapped some shots of us with the background canyon. I was unaware how out of shape I was until the return back. The route had a steep grade and my breathing was labored. After the 'climb' back to the car I decided to hell with paying $30 and just leaving, there's plenty of daylight remaining, surely I can make the south rim worth the hefty price of the fare. I was kicking myself for not hitting the south rim first. By the time we reached the Canyon again  the sun was already setting and we were witness to more dazzling scenery at the dessert viewpoint. Making our way along Darien snapped a pic of me reenacting my John Bunyun pose on the canyon edge from years prior.. I'm not going to lie, the shot was fairly badass. On several instances Darien wanted to be a daredevil and flirt with disaster by sitting on the canyon edge, each time she did, I was worried about her going 'whoop' right off. On one such instance I pushed my common sense aside and let my feet dangle over the canyon walls. The sheer extent of the drop below I found to be quite alarming, that combined  with being swayed by the force of the sweeping gale was enough to clear my senses without the needed asset of caffeine.It was invigorating but also scary as hell. It felt nice to be sharing these moments with a traveling companion. Last time I was by myself,  I felt something lacking, being able to share these experiences with another made all the difference. I could go back to Washington, lose my car, job and sense  of livelihood and be perfectly okay with it because I was perched precariously on a rock with a young damsel viewing the majectic scenery of the grand canyon with the wind wisping through my air and the sunset in the background. I could describe it no better than as a thin moment, where the veil of distance between this troubled world and the divine was 'thin' . We missed the turn for a viewpoint in the fading light of dusk  soon after and the next thing we knew we were outside the park. I was hoping to see the Canyon  under the starry night in the light of the full moon. It makes for picturesque scenery and was bummed things didn't work out that way. However we are going to make a return trip this summer and get the full Grand Canyon experience, hiking trails, camping and starlit moonlighted Canyon scenery. It will happen again. Mark my words:)

   We headed on I-40 westbound toward Vegas. It was about a 4 hour drive and we were both exhausted from a long day as we rolled into sin city. The lights and huge billboard displays were magnificent, just like I remembered it. I was a poor wayfarin' stranger, not loaded with cash or prepared to indulge in the full Vegas expierance, and things were not much different this time around. I had to make due with what I had which as this point was not a lot: a beater of a car and no money. While locating the strip I took a wrong turn into the Bellagio and found myself circling the roundabout I felt like an idiot. My car had  a white hood, with chrome tape and I was maneuvering around fashion glamoured celebrities and limousines. I felt like a mangy animal out its natural habitat and wished to remove myself from the scene as quickly as possible. I found parking soon after and we frequented some of the sights and sounds on the strip. The first attraction was a fountain that shot jets of water into the night in rhythm with  a symphony, it was located in the heart of a pool of water outlying the Bellagio Hotel. 

       I stood there perched over the rail transfixed for probably a half hour. The lights over the water combined with the harmonious background music was spellbinding.I glanced over at Darien to see her transfixed eyes like saucers, equally hypnotized. We eventually moved on to the Bellagio hotel and Ceasers palace both were decorated with ornate architecture. After being witness to such posh, we were greeted  by a vendor with a giant naked lady poster plastered on his back --how low do you have to stoop to represent this profession? And I used to think pulling weeds for neighbors lawns was low. Frequenting a local strip joint was not what I had in mind, there was usually a 4-5 drink minimum, being a lightweight already I decided this was not a good move on my part.  with plans to leave that night and had no desire to have my ass in a sling. Many people screamed by shouting "wheww yeah Vegas baby!" in close proximity. I didn't share the same level of enthusiasm due to my utter lostness and lack of clear direction. I feel like the whole point of Vegas is to make you feel trapped, like you can never get out of Vegas. After pushing through dense crowds of people for awhile with Darien in tow all the while holding her lil' hand and steering her around the drunk, strung out masses of inebriated humanity. However, on the way back I accepted a vendors offer for a buy-one-get-one free alcoholic beverage. While inside the bar I began feeling uneasy now Darien was out of sight, I returned illegally supplying the minor with a foamy IPA. She was almost 21 so I didn't feel too bad about it. "Now you can say you had a beer in Las Vegas Darien" We sat down on a flower pot and chugged our beers with the city lights all around. We both agreed we were exhausted and upon leaving Vegas, Darien became sentimental, "I'm feel like a lost lil guppy here in a large ocean. I'm just a poor homeless gypsy orphan girl from a small oklahoma town, people dont do these kind of things for me." I smiled and just said, it don't matter who you are or where you come from, you're never too poor, or too weak to set out on an adventure and see the world. That was my motto, hell I couldnt afford this, I'm a barista at Starbucks from a small eastern WA, town. People would ask me later how did you afford that trip? I'd just say, "I didn't"..


     For once I didn't  notice the couple kissing by the fountain or the staggering drunk ones processing their way through a 40, but I see a constellation and it reminds me of a story from my hometown. And that to me was enough. Away from the glamour of the big city lights and night life is where I find peace of mind. I was an admirer more of the natural elements than entertainment fabrications. It could have been the fact I was merely sightseeing, however I'd rather be traversing Europe, exploring the rich history of the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florance or snorkling in the Caribbean.In my perception: life and nature are similar concepts because nature is a microcosm of life; the study of how life acts and interacts within our circle of existence. When we take the time to examine the beauty of the world around us, we are able to see parallels within our own lives. It becomes a shrinking experience and we begin to think outside ourselves. All of nature moves in a spiral as do our personal lives. Not everyone responds to beauty in the same way; many are aware of it but don't allow it to light up the sentiment. Material possessions don't please the way the natural elements can. My curiosity about the earth transcends my curiosity for other things. Desiring to find natural beauty inherently lies within the core desires of our being. uninhibited, unequivocal untouched by the corrosion of the mind. and only subject to the whims and harmonies of the free floating elements of the species. Nature can present itself as soul stirring graffiti...I hope this euphony at the end tied it all together. But I regress; now, to the current circumstances of the trip--Outside of Vegas I found the nearest semblance of real civilization 3 hours away. I was too sleep-deprived and tired to risk driving further. I had  only gotten a few hours sleep the last couple days. I was running off fumes. I pulled over at some small shell station I think it was a town? Indian springs I believe it was called and we passed out for the night. The day had been quite eventful and the last trek of our journey was soon to be underway...

Next Blog Entry: (The last Trek of my Adventure)

First Entry: (The first Leg of my Journey)

Second Entry: (Oklahoma Bound)

Third Entry (Amarillo to the Grand Canyon)

Amarillo to The Grand Canyon

       I woke up in an abandoned parking lot near a target location at the crack of dawn feeling seep deprived and uncomfortable, Darien was draped over me in the passenger seat like a rug and I struggled to regain my sense of bearing. I was in Amarillo Texas. I picked up Darien late last night. She's with me now, I'm half-awake; that's the sun piercing my window with blinding light. I am in a parking lot--Okay, yes, I've peiced enough together. Time to remove Darien's legs from my my body and transition to the drivers seat. This was not well forethought I mused. Starting the engine with Darien still asleep like a log, and snoring like one too, she'll hate me for this, but it was like a melodious symphony, both nostrils complimenting each other with faultless precision. I was amazed. Well I'll let the lil' angel sleep I presumed her stress level was less than mine at the time being. I found a Starbucks logo nearby, and realized my dire need for caffeine. I purchased a venti 6-shot Americano and upon arriving back slid the key into the ignition while glancing over with some surprise to see Darien awake,glancing at me like I was some sort of phantom menace. Kyle? where are we? almost to New Mexico sweetheart, and by the looks of it--along ways from home. I hit I-40 west soon after and sped off toward Albuquerque. I had been here before, flashbacks hit me once I passed the NM border. I was on this very same interstate 3 years prior driving westbound from Pennsylvania, where I had spent a brief stint working..It seemed like just yesterday..I had no idea what the hell I was doing with my life or where I was heading. I was my ships own captain, navigating the waters of uncertainty; many times those waters involved enormous swells crashing onto the ship, and me bailing water to stay afloat..

       Upon arriving in Albuquerque, I stopped at a chevron and re-routed towards Phoenix. Darien was on the phone still dealing with people calling, having no idea where she was or why she left. After awhile I decided to let Darien drive, which seemed no big deal at the time, until she got behind the wheel. I thought my mother's driving was bad, every time we passed a semi my life flashed before my eyes. Stress anxiety was at a high.I grabbed the wheel occasionally for sanity purposes. She wasn't really that bad I was just single mothering, feeling paranoid. I transitioned back to the drivers seat and after several intellectually stimulating conversations involving reincarnation, religious views, and the meaning of life we rolled into Flagstaff, Arizona. Nightfall had fallen and the cold was bone chilling we discovered as we stepped outside. Feeling the  need for more warmth we purchased a cheap blanket at the Family Dollar. A comedic moment ensued as were standing at the purchase counter. I mentioned how I was missing my blanket and how amazing it was, I got it at Bed Bath&Beyond,--"don't worry I'm straight" (he gave me a funny look) "yeah I was just there to get a loofah" Darien couldn't stop laughing and kept mimicking, "I'm kyle I get my blankets at bed bath&beyond, Im not gay, I just got a loo-fahh", apparently I butchered the pronunciation of loofah to loo-faw, anyway, she sure got one helluva kick out of it, we got back to the car and I spent the next 30 minutes clearing out a hole in the trunk so we could sleep more comfortably. It was an exercise in futility however. We bumped heads, knees and gouged the small of our backs repeatedly, I took a knee to the chops on one such occasion. I don't think I've laughed so hard in my life. I considered popping the trunk and just letting our feet hang out. I was folded up like a lawn chair smothering a Darien shaped pretzel. We were lame and unashamed. Later in the night I was roused from sleep by the  freezing cold, Darien was shivering and saying 'brrr' shit, this place is an igloo I thought, our breathing condensation coated the windows. I grabbed my sweatshirt, which she accepted with relief. Around 6 I crawled into the drivers seat w/o cracking a door and found my head under the steering wheel, face down, ass up, thats' the way we like it, okay not the last part, but after some struggle and transitioning, a starbucks break that involved a shave and hair wash in the men's bathroom, we were soon on our way again. We were like Bonnie and Clyde. 2 rebels without a clue. We zoomed northbound toward the Grand Canyon,,

Oklahoma bound..

       I set out at daybreak away from Steamboat Springs toward my trips destination in Lawton, Oklahoma. I was not embracing this stretch of the journey with any warm feelings. I had been through Northern Texas before and the scenery was hard on the eyes. My journey was intersected by Amarillo, Texas. An oasis of sorts in the midst of a barren wasteland. Texans are pious in my opinion. 75% of the state is flat as a pancake and when you hear the slogan "everything's bigger in Texas" I think sure, but, why would you want more of a shitty area? Maybe that's just me and my own opinions, but these sort of thoughts flowed easily while one is traveling through terrain intersected by the highest elevation comprised of a molehill. Google maps pinned my driving time at approx 13 hrs. I made the unfortunate mistake of skirting the interstate to avoid Kansas. I don't know it happened, but however you splice it, I didn't roll into Amarillo til around 8 pm, and this is with a single piss break. I found somewhere between a hay-stack and a horse shit that my auxillary cord and charger to my i-phone both quit working; my phone's life was in dire straits, unwilling to forgoe the rest of the journey without a functioning phone. I grabbed both cords with a 5-finger discount. I texted Darien, explaing I was a few hours out. I asked her if she could be ready around midnight..I stopped soon after for gas and was approached by a bedraggled black man pleading for 37 bucks..I was tired, strung out from the road and strapped for cash, but I listened to him as he went on about his desperate plight, his serpentine belt being broken, he had a 5 yr old kid, he'd been called the N word  and all sorts of insults, gesturing to his car a few blocks down I could see the E flashers on and knew he wasn't kidding. I said fine, I'll I lend it. I could see the tears in his eye's as he said a thanks to God above, on my way out he grabbed me and said a quick prayer for the rest of my trip, I asked his name, then looked back for the last time...I'll look for you up there okay? He nodded,knowing what I meant--Oddly enough my car made it back with no problems--

     I continued on toward Lawton, the beats were bumpin and after pounding down 2 red bulls I was feeling the vibes. After what seemed like an eternity, 2 cop pull overs, and 200 miles of back road texas-oklahoma, I rolled into crazy town USA. Darien informed me she would be outside the JC Penney location at the town mall which I located after some difficulty. It involved stoppping and clearing out trash to procure passenger seating w/o being waste-deep. I discovered Lawton to be the absolute armpit of the world. Tweakers and crazy folks were out everywhere, it was like the zombie apocalypse had hit this town hard, no one was sober, or appeared normal even the gas lot-attendent appeared strung out on some hash. I texted Darien again "where the hell am I? You lived here for a year?" Darien had had a rough go of it here of late, she was on the streets for awhile sufferering along with these tweaker's gang members and delinquits. She had no family to take her in, had lived in the spot in town where even the cops refused to go, sleeping in the cemetery there for some time, she procured frostbite on several phalanges and had seen violance, gore and misconduct to the like no one in a life time should have to endure, yet somehow, despite the odds made it through. Darien was a survivor and tough as nails, I have no doubt. I knew her from a few years back, she had a big heart though, despite the circumstances, and I guess that's the trait I always found admirable about her. She advised me not to stay there the night, for my own safety. There were people that would quickly end me. Sure, that may sound humorous to some, but this was Lawton; people were above the law here. Places in town concealed deeds and dark secrets only Lucifer himself could witness without a shudder. The place was oppressive, I have alwasy been very keen on sixth sense and intuition and as soon as I enterered this town it was like a dark, ominous cloud was over me, tracking my every move..I am not exaggerating when I felt evil here did not sleep. I parked outside the empty JC Penney lot around midnight and after some difficulty found Darien, she had a purse and skateboard in tow, nothing else, she was not equipped with much. She mentioned there were people following her, of a gang type. The mall lights shut off around us as soon as she said this and all was pitch black, I located the light on my phone and found my car. We got in. After clutching the steering wheel I glanced at Darien, "You came for me, you actually did, where are we going Kyle?" IDK..I said..anywhere but here. I found the Interstate again and sped off westbound like a bat out of hell. I knew it was 1 in the morning and I had been driving for for 18 straight hours yet I wanted to put as much distance between me, Darien and that hellhole as possible. Darien talked about a great many things, stories and struggles of doubt, fears and survival, things that would move even the hardest of hearts. She kept  talking to me about her exploits until she nodded off, eventually, I reached back located my blanket and tossed it over her, around 3 am she was passed out, the last few hours after my riding companion was gone were the hardest; blinking my eyes I struggled to keep awake...I had to get back to Amarillo, I just couldn't stop on the side of the road...I had precious cargo, surely I will make it...After what seemed like 6 hours, even though it was only 2 I pulled into the target lot, the same one I had entered 9 hours before and eased to a stop, shifting into park. I shut the engine off. I crawled into the passenger seat with Darien grabbing an ear of the blanket and called it a night. Needless to say I did not sleep well, Darien was criss crossed over me and gone like the wind, whilst I struggled to find head-placement that would ensure rest. My head dipped into the backseat divet at several points and I awoke with a shudder before my neck snapped off, I managed to pull off a few hours beauty rest...I am now falling asleep myself and will write about the next leg of the journey soon..

Until next time...sayonara my friends :)

The First Leg of my Journey

                          

    On a cold november day on the palouse as the wind whispered through the leafless trees, and the wind howled against the structured 3 story building that I called home I decided to set off on another adventure; one that would entail much drama and self-sacrifice, one that would mean risking my living, education and transportation. Yet there are times in life, you understand the cause is greater than the uncertainty, the reward worth the sacrifice. I understood the peril and unwilling to delay any longer, I grabbed most of my possessions, which entailed one box. I quickly went through my list: chains, jumper cables, and a spare tank of gasoline, check. With my dilapidated beater of a a car I nicknamed Frankenstein "frankie" for short I sped west into the Montana wilderness. 'Oklahoma or bust' and I just might be flint stonin' my ass there.  Majestic scenery arrested my senses as I was witness to many aspen pines shedding their foliage to allow for a pretty autumn scene. As I meandered around steep mountain slopes opening up to more river valleys and picturesque scenic terrain my thoughts wandered, I was satisfied to finally be leaving the barren slopes of the palouse, where I had spent the last 6 months. I had endured a long hard summer. After many series of misfortunate events that ended in my loss of driving; I biked 16 miles a day from my pullman place of residence to Moscow, ID where I worked. It was a hard and grueling summer, but I learned from that experience. From my whimsical, caution to the wind, devil be damned mentality to actually focusing on actions affecting people and other potential pratfalls and piercing pain that arose from my careless attitude. However, I was on a mission, an undertaking involving a rescue. A damsel in distress was the target of this journey. One thing many people come to understand about me is when I set to my mind to something, nothing will change it, and I accomplish what I set out for. You can stand me up to the gates of hell as the great Tom Petty sings, but I won't back down. That was my hard headed mindset as I was driving through the greater plains of Montana, transitioning now to more barren plains as I crossed into Missoula. I stayed at Helena for the night, on a friends couch. And was up and gone around 5 am the next day heading southbound toward Yellowstone. Upon reaching the entrance however, I was stopped and sent back. This was not well forethought; winter closures prevented my passage through the park. Annoyed as all get out, I traveled back to Bozeman and cut south through Idaho and Wyoming, 4 hours of daylight and a full tank of gasoline was wasted, yet my spirits were still somehow high. Making my way through mountainous terrain and steep passes I finally transitioned to the plains of southern  Wyoming.

      It was nightfall by the time I passed the border, westbound through I-80, around 9 pm i saw my battery light come on after a disturbing high pitched sound. I eased my way to the side of the freeway and found my serpentine belt shattered, ripping out the shredded remains of the belt. I sat back in my car and reached for my backpack, locating my fifth of unopened vodka. I took a big pull, knowing for times like these, this was well warranted. I called AAA and about 50 minutes later a tow arrived and I jumped in, my car in tow, 60 miles westbound we arrived in Rawlins, WY and I was dropped outside an auto repair shop. I leaped out and immediately was met with the bone chilling pain of the cold. A blizzard was whisping through the state and I was caught with my pants down, full victim to the piercing gale as I left my blanket in Helena. I reached back prying open the trunk and grabbing as many handfuls of linen, and cloths as I could reach, piled them on me. I woke up with my car vibrating and shaking in the force of the gale. I was freezing my pubes off. With no hope for releif save for the slow approaching morning light I burrowed into the conglomerate mess of clothing and  slept uncomfortably.

    I woke up and tunneled my way out of a mess of clothing, upon opening the door I was greeted with a fresh blast of icy chill, and stumbled my way out toward the front door of the auto repair shop. The receptionist was cute and friendly, with a wide smile she asked how my night was. Any other day I would've  returned her friendly gesture with a warm reply, but I felt like a hibernating bear being sharply roused from slumber before he's due. I explained my dire circumstance and need for repair, locating the coffee pot when finished. I poured a large cup and found a seat. The people next to me were Wyoming bred, clearly. The was an 80 year old woman with a pointy nosed mutt,  a cowboy resembling the lone texas ranger and a feeble old man with a cane and furrowed brow who looked like he wanted to kill you just for the mere crime of looking at him. I took my place beside the classy posse and waited for a good hour. The make of my S belt was unique and I waited for approx 5 more hours before the right one was eventually shipped in from out of town. I was on the road again around 2pm and promptly blew a tire an hour later. Locating my 4-way and jack in the trunk I wrenched it off and drove another 2 hours to the auto repair shop, where I purchased 2 new tires. The cost of my auto repairs was more than I budgeted for and I rolled into Steamboat Springs Colorado broke as a joke. I had connections however in Steambpoat, through my aunts family, and my uncle Jason offered me a job for a couple days power washing Snowmobiles, dirtbikes and 4-wheelers for some cash. I left steamboat a little richer that friday morning and rolled onward toward my trips destination in Oklahama...."OOOOk-lahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain and the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet when the wind comes right"...

(to be continued)