The Magic of the Grand Canyon

Jutta Engelhardt and Caroline Wise in Williams, Arizona

Late yesterday afternoon, Caroline, Jutta, and I drove up to Williams, Arizona, west of Flagstaff, in order to be well-positioned for an excursion to the Grand Canyon today, and from the photo, I’d guess you’ve already figured out my plan. We are at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel and are about to get onboard.

Caroline Wise and Jutta Engelhardt on the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona

You might glean from the seats, from what you can see of them, that we opted for second class. This is hardly my mother-in-law’s first trip to the canyon, and the ride is a short one at little more than 2 hours.

On the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona

The onboard live entertainment definitely offered a sense of Western flair.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Following our arrival, we needed to find a worthy spot along the rim with just the right view for what came next.

Caroline Wise and Jutta Engelhardt in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Jutta is being presented with the first rough draft of Stay in The Magic, my book about Caroline and my trip down the Colorado River a couple of years ago.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

These moments are Jutta’s first opportunity to see details of our incredible 19-day journey down the canyon, and while looking at the accompanying photos here in full view of the very place our trip took place, Caroline is offering her a narrative of what things were like for us down below.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Time for lunch over at the El Tovar.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

With the limited daylight of winter, there’d be no rest for the wicked (jet-lagged), and so, with little pause, we headed out for a walk along the canyon rim.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

I believe this is the first time we’ve visited the Trail of Time since it opened right around the time we were heading down to Lees Ferry before boarding dories and our first-ever whitewater adventure.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

As Jutta has obviously not yet read my book, and there’s a chance she never will, we are busy explaining that rocks such as this are what we saw a mile below.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The park service has done a great job in demarcating time using brass markers set in the walkway that demonstrate at what point in history and which geological layer you’d be in if time and history were a simple and short trek.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Of course, I failed to photograph the names of many of the rock layers, as who knew I’d want to refer to them in a blog post? Sometimes, I’m an idiot of immense shortsightedness.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

That’s right, this is a rock that is just one of many all around us.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

And before we know it, it’s time to appreciate a bit of sunset before tucking into dinner.

Caroline Wise and Jutta Engelhardt in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Dinner would, of course, be at El Tovar because style and ambiance dictate it to be so.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Some after-dinner star-gazing, and we’ll head off to sleep.

Making The Rounds

Jutta Engelhardt and Karen Goff meeting for lunch in Phoenix, Arizona

After a quiet day yesterday; there has to be some time to recover from jet lag, Jutta and I met my mother, Karen Goff, for lunch today. During Jutta’s 2009 visit, between remaining busy with so many activities and travels and my mother’s occasionally demanding work schedule, we missed the opportunity to meet up with my mom. That won’t happen during this vacation, as we make sure that these two have plenty of chances to get together between now and February 18 when Jutta returns to Frankfurt, Germany.

The Musical Instrument Museum

Jutta Engelhardt playing the Theramin at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

Mom and daughter time makes way for me time. Dropped the girls at The Musical Instrument Museum at 10:00, wished them well, and encouraged Caroline and Jutta to take their time, enjoy a nice lunch at the cafe, before calling me to pick them up. While they walked the halls of the museum and listened to just a fraction of the instruments on display, I took off to celebrate that the next hours would be all about me! I would need that time, as tomorrow Caroline will go to work and Jutta and I will have the entire day to spend together. From the smile Jutta wore while playing the Theramin, I can only guess these two were enjoying themselves. Sorry, but there are no photos of me having an equal day of fun. Hmmm, as I now write this, I do not have the faintest idea what I did to spend my time productively, if, in fact, it was in any way put to good use.

Jutta Engelhardt playing the drum at The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

An obvious trend is developing as a potential hobby for Jutta – drumming. On a previous visit, Caroline suggested we take her mom to a drum class with an old friend of ours, Frank Thompson. Reluctant at first, Jutta fell into the rhythm and thoroughly enjoyed herself as Frank taught us some basics. Now here at The Mim, Jutta is again, getting her groove on. Maybe we should pick her up a set of bongo’s to take back to Germany?

Caroline Wise and Jutta Engelhardt in a self-portrait at The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

A picture worth a thousand memories. After more than seven hours the call came in, “We are ready to go.” If there is one regret during these visits between Caroline and her mom, it would be that there aren’t more days like this with such happy photos and big smiles.

Friends at the Market

Caroline Wise, Jutta Engelhardt, and Celia Petersen

Our first visit was with Celia and Jimmie Petersen of Chile Acres Farm. Jimmie was at the downtown market, he directed us to head up north on Central Avenue to a new market where we would find Celia. After spending a bit of time with Jimmie, we found Celia and hugs ensued. Jutta has fond memories of her visits with the Petersen’s, as it was at their farm where she first took lessons riding a horse, she bottle-fed baby goats, and was invited into their home more than once to enjoy a home-cooked meal featuring Celia’s homemade goat milk cheese, and goat milk ice cream for dessert. Over the past two years, Caroline calls her mom nearly every Sunday, and on every phone call, Jutta asks, “How are Celia and Jimmie doing?” Today, she was able to see for herself and passed on the hugs to show her affection for their warmth and sharing.

Happy Mom Arriving in America

Jutta Engelhardt hugging her daughter Caroline Wise at the Phoenix Airport after nearly 2 years

It was nearly two years ago that my mother-in-law last visited us, and what I thought might have been the last time she was going to fly over the Atlantic from Germany to visit us here in Phoenix, Arizona. Jutta’s flight was late by a few hours, as customs in Denver was bogged down, forcing her onto another airline late in the day.

Knowing Jutta’s routine of being the last to leave the plane, didn’t make it any easier while we were waiting, waiting, and impatiently waiting for her to descend the ramp that would let us relax seeing she made the later flight. Finally, that old familiar gait started to move closer, and before we saw her face, we knew who was moving slowly towards us. When her face did become clear, it had a smile 10 feet wide and her pace started her pressing into a near jog, we let her know it was okay to slow down; we’ve had our fair share of her falling over her feet on previous visits.

Reaching Caroline, Jutta couldn’t have been happier, not only was she in America after a day of traveling from Frankfurt, she had her arms wrapped snugly around her daughter. This is my mother-in-law’s 9th trip to America in 15 years. It will be during this visit just five days from today that she will pass her 365th day in the United States. Of her 77 years of age, a full year of that has been spent here, with Caroline and me. Welcome back, Jutta.

Forgotten Oregon II – Day 6

Disclaimer: This post is one of those that ended up being written years after the experience was had. Sadly, there were no notes taken so whatever is shared here must be extracted from the images and what memories they may have lent us. Fortunately, there was an itinerary still in my directory of travel plans, so that will help with some details. As to why this wasn’t noted or blogged about, I was in the throes of writing/editing my book Stay In The Magic and felt that any other deep writing would derail that fragile effort.

If you can dream of a better way to start the day than looking out on a molten sea with a fishing boat heading out past a lighthouse, please share that experience with me.

Okay, this would definitely enhance the experience. Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe and their oat corn waffle topped with tropical fruits and toasted coconut. Yep, now all is perfect in the world, except that we have another 12-hour drive ahead of us.

Make that 14 hours: how could we pass through Pacific Grove while the monarch butterflies are wintering over?

Not just a butterfly, mind you, but millions of orange and black fluttery little butterflies.

While we’re here, we should have one last look at the ocean, as from now on, we’ll have to get serious and drive like hell.

But first, we must linger and take in the Monterey Bay because we are here.

Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove, we’ll be back.

Oops, forgot that in San Luis Obispo, we’d be stopping at Yarn at the Adobe, but we’ll be quick.

Until we pulled into the Ventura area for a stop at Mussel Shoals.

No, Caroline, we don’t have time for you to take off your shoes and walk one more time in the surf. I swear, if those shoes come off your feet and you dare touch that water, we’ll be stopping at the North Woods Inn for dinner. I triple dare you to attempt such foolery. Fine, we’ll just get home at midnight, and it will be all your fault, like everything else. 🙂