The last photo of Caroline and her mom at the Grand Canyon and while sad on one hand, there are a thousand incredible memories shared here at the edge of this vast place of wonder.
Christmas Eve at the Grand Canyon
It’s Christmas Eve, as we arrive late in the afternoon to catch the sunset in the Grand Canyon National Park.
This is Jutta’s first Christmas visit to the Grand Canyon of the nearly 12 times she’s been to this park during the ten trips she’s made to America. The Grand Canyon was a dream come true for her, and she’s never bored in her many visits, but sadly this is her last time here. When we made this journey up north for the occasion, we were aware of my mother-in-law’s growing physical weakness as she’s 78 years old in this photo, but the other part of the situation that’s looming is her declining memory. I can’t help but look at this photo and now see it as a toast to all the incredible times the three of us have spent together over the years her daughter has lived so far away. I’d give anything to see this old lady in the El Tovar once more for dinner and to wake up the next morning for sunrise over one of her favorite places in the world. Fröhliche Weihnachten forever, Jutta.
Christmas Lights
Two weeks pass and nothing much has happened. While Jutta busies herself and Caroline is at her office, I’m busy learning everything I can about virtual reality. Caroline’s birthday was celebrated a little more than a week ago and this evening we are out looking at Christmas Lights.
Jutta in the California Desert
After a good long rest to get over jetlag, we were on our first getaway with a weekend trip to California.
Our first stop was at the Joshua Tree National Park.
We took our time strolling through the desert so Jutta gets a nice close look at the details of what lives here.
From dragonflies to tarantulas, we spotted more than a few signs of wildlife calling this home.
I’ve said it before, but it bears saying again: it might have taken me a long time to get my mother-in-law to show us a natural smile, but she finally got it figured out.
Along the way, Caroline has been doing a workbook so she could earn her Junior Ranger badge. While Jutta is actively participating in helping Caroline, the prize will be Caroline’s alone.
Back at the visitor center, Caroline turned in her research and studied answers and was once again sworn in as a Junior Ranger.
Mother and Daughter
This visit with Jutta will be different than all of her previous vacations to America. This is a slow trip. During the other times in the United States, we always had epic road trips across America in order for her to catch up on a lifetime of never having been here. We wanted her to see as much as possible and so we took her to New York City and the Statue of Liberty, the White House in Washington D.C., the Florida Keys for snorkeling, New Orleans, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Alcatraz, and a thousand points between. With her hip limiting her mobility and her strength not what it used to be, we are taking it easy and just letting her spend time with us in our normal routine. Of course, there will be some short excursions but nothing too taxing.
Jutta Back Behind The Wheel
Fresh off the plane and on our way south. When I offered Jutta the opportunity to drive the car, she jumped at the chance. On a previous visit back in 2005, she also took the wheel with me out on a road trip, the first time in more than 20 years since she’d driven last. I thought she might be too jet-lagged to be sharp about things, but I guess the thought of driving once more in America was the jolt of energy that cleared away that fog.
To not fatigue Jutta or have her gimp hip sitting too long in the car, we stayed in Socorro, New Mexico, for the night. This was not her first time here. During the winter of 2007, we dragged her out for New Year’s Day to Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on an icy morning for her to witness the lift-off of some 30,000 snow geese at the break of dawn. She also ate here at El Camino Family Restaurant, as we always eat here, some days even multiple times a day.
After dinner, we had pie and coffee while kicking back at the diner. That’s the American way.