I'm finding it difficult to spot a vehicle that doesn't have red soot on it's bumpers. We've made it to Sedona, AZ, a town of civilization contradiction. Beautiful red rock formations, a lush tree lined creek carving through the desert canyon... and cliche gift shops surrounding ritzy resort hotels. Ah merica! Would you like to go on a pink jeep tour? Mike's truck doesn't have that kind of style or off-roading capability, but that hasn't stopped us from taking dirt roads to our scenic dispersed camping sites. We feel pretty great having already mastered that.
To update, we spent the first few days at Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP. The views were the kind you feel in your gut (I hadn't felt that since seeing the Grand Tetons several years ago) and said hello to the General Sherman. The General was wise and stoic, and a tired patriarch jaded by the incesent flashing of point-and-click cameras (according to Mikey V). We didn't stay longer due to this, but really due to the threat of bears breaking into our truck home. The Sierras are hard to enjoy when the millions of visitors have directly or indirectly lured bears out with our processed foods. It's freaking beautiful out here and I love it, but I'm also bound to take some cynical notes on reality! ;)
So we traveled on, through the melting Mojave desert. The desert wasn't melting so much as we were. It was neat to see all the different desert communities. We took old route 66 for trippy western scenery sake.
Tomorrow, I will meet with a professor at NAU in Flagstaff. I hope that goes well! After, we'll backpack in one of the national forests nearby and then travel to the Grand Canyon. Hiking down into the canyon is a must. We're pretty stoked.
I should mention it was hard to leave Berkeley. To all my friends there, I'm sorry I left without a last adventure. I hope I can see some of you on the road or when I eventually return for a visit. If we couldn't say goodbye, it's because I'll see you soon :) Much love to y'all.
Until next free internet moment,
Ari
