We do miss our family and friends who do not live near us anymore, so it was so exciting to have my parents come to see us this last weekend. Along with showing them our new home and letting them see into our new life, we went exploring around Northern Arizona and saw some sights I had never seen before... Thanks mom and dad for giving me a reason to see some interesting sights!
Mason's favorite was Meteor Crater. The day before we went my Dad said this phrase, all too enthusiastically, "I LOVE meterorites!" and it has made me laugh out loud every time I have thought of it since. All of my brothers and sisters can attest to his love of nature and geology. On many road trips we heard, "Look at that sulphur, MIL!" So Meteor Crater was perfect for him...
Anxiety filled my SOUL on our next journey. I knew Walnut Canyon was beautiful and I also knew we would see ancient ruins from Native American tribes who used to reside there... sounds like a fun trip right? Yeah, until I realized it was a hike down a canyon mostly WITHOUT guardrails and pretty much 4 feet of walking space until you plunge to your death in the deep canyon below.
Most people would have no problem with this, but I have a fear of heights (especially right on-the-edge heights... I have lived in Arizona for 28 years and have never been to the Grand Canyon- there is a reason for this) and was SO sick to my stomach taking my energetic, carefree children down there. I had what I refer to as "jello legs" and was unable to look down. And I am sure my poor children have bruises on their hands with how tight I was squeezing them. I apologized to Ro for being slightly (okay, EXTREMELY) neurotic, but I have never felt quite so out of control.
You can tell I am forcing a half-smile in this pic, and that my kids can sense my uneasiness... it was for your own good! (:
It ended up being so beautiful, but I took a long deep breath when we safely reached the top and were on solid ground.
The visit was SO much fun, and I hope we get many more visitors in the future. We are fully aware that our little town doesn't have much to offer in entertainment, so we promise to bend over backwards to make sure our guests have fun SOMEHOW. (: Even if it's just a show put on by THIS silly girl...
Of course they couldn't leave without Standin' on the Corner. And the kids played in the "flat bed Ford" they have parked there (from the song). Fun times- MISS YOU!
10 comments:
Sounds like you had a really fun weekend, all except for the anxiety.
Your family is so super cute. Makes ME want to visit Winslow!
I am glad your parents came to visit...
Try visiting the painted desert or petrified forest...once again, outdoorsy stuff but something you ought to see at least once in your life!!
We had so much fun Nat, and let me tell you that you did an awesome job of concealing your fear. You are great.
Fun!! Greg has never been to the Grand Canyon either. We want to ride the train there sometime. :) My kids love Meteor Crater too. Ethan keeps begging to go to Walnut Canyon, good to know about the hike. Your parents are too cute!
I hated Walnut Canyon, too...I have anxiety just thinking about it! Outside Holbrook they have a dinosaur park Mason might like...and let me just say again...there is Uncle Denny's water balloon shooter....
Mom and Dad got home with a couple of magnets by accident, and told Riley they were for her from Ava.
They LOVED their trip, as I am sure you know. We hope to see you up there sometime ourselves....:)
I loved Walnut Canyon but only took our older kids, and I was still a nervous wreck!!! I was also crazy when we took them to the Grand Canyon.There are several places we've gone with our families, the petrified forest, painted desert, grand falls, wapatiki national monument, and some others I don't remember names too. Also just recently we took our kids to the Lowell Observatory and they loved that!!!
Looks like you had fun with your visitors!!! I love it when my family visits.
ugh, I LOVE Walnut canyon, but Meotor Crater...I wish they'd remove it. haha, ok, that's just me, we went there about 4 or 5 years ago and I was soo bored. And I haven't been to walnut canyon in 8 years but we used to go every once in a while. Everytime we try to go now, it's closed. Glad you're enjoying northern Az. Make Ro take you (NO KIDS FOR SURE, it's super scary) to the grand falls on the res. It's amazing!
Winslow actually is quite pretty in these picts and I love that you sound like you are gettign settled and enjoying yourself. I also love that your cookies looked like guacomole! I know I spelled that wrong. Miss you!
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