Arizona Adventures

On Sunday night we camped near the Petrified Forest National Park. We arrived later than we had hoped due to our side excursion that day, but all agreed it was worth it. On Monday morning we figured out how to fill the propane and set out to visit the Painted Dessert and the Petrified Forest. It was a fascinating place! We enjoyed seeing by the many colors of the different layers. We stopped for some scenic overlooks and and an amazing and beautiful short hike. We found petrified wood enjoyed exploring.

After this great start to the day, we drove the rest of the way to the Grand Canyon. The places within the park have been full for a long time, so we found a little campground just before entering the park. We got there in time to set up camp before dark and get some pizza to eat at the picnic bench near our campsite. It was good to sit around a table in a quiet place as a family. We are together a lot right now, but I always love having a family meal around a table together! 

The next morning we got up and headed to see the Grand Canyon. It was breathtaking! Pictures cannot do justice to the immensity and beauty of this place. But here is what I have. 

Elijah will have so many more amazing pictures from our time there. He is a great photographer! By the early afternoon, our family had enough hiking around the rim of the canyon and were ready for some down time. In the evening Elijah, Esther and I went back to get some more photos while the others relaxed at the campground. Here is what I got as my best phone photo that evening. 

The next morning we woke with elk outside our RV and tents. We were able to get very close and enjoyed seeing a mammal that we had not encountered before. 

 She was friendly and not as shy as I would have expected. I think the animals around the Grand Canyon have gotten used to having people around. We had a vole with a golden stripe down his back whose home was at our campsite. He didn’t seem to disturbed by sharing the area with us. Along the rim of the canyon on the previous day, a squirrel walked up to Evie and stood on its hind legs apparently asking for some food. 

After our encounter with the elk, we packed up and prepared for our long drive today. We are driving from the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Sequoia National Park in California. We are currently passing through the Mojave Desert. I’m thankful that the AC is working as it is extremely hot outside! Arizona was actually pretty cool while we were there. The nighttime temperatures were in the 50s! 

As David drives through the dessert and we see the Joshua trees, I had a chance to put on my headphones and listen to some worship music. As we passed an oasis, I thought of how worship is an oasis for me. In times when life feels like a desert, songs of truth that fix my eyes on the goodness and love of God refresh my soul. I need to remember to take time to worship the Lord in song in the midst of dry seasons.