When road-tripping with Jay, it’s the road we sometimes take – the one less traveled. Like the last trip as a family before Neil traipsed off to Brazil. A wide, smooth dirt road that went on and on, somewhere between the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and home. Interesting and new, yet always with that edginess that hovers because of the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Liisa and Papa had marveled at his audacity, but all of us pleased at the welcome adventure. That road tipped us off gently into Pine Valley, Utah; an unplanned, unexpected plum of a place we will not soon forget. I think it’s one of Jay’s favorite forms of surprise.
This time it was the Burr Trail.
Me, as we set off early from the Sandy Ranch: Is the Burr Trail a Scenic Trail?
Jay: It’s bound to be Scenic if you’ve never Seen-It.
(I smile loudly, he’s so funny sometimes.)
This ‘Ribbon of Highway’ wound and twisted and switched back and back again. We were in the company of only one car. We passed it parked off the side. It had a Florida license plate. The couple inside seemed to be gaping. Being from such a place as Florida where one can never even see the forest for the trees, this scene is gape-worthy. Hey, it was gape-worthy regardless of where one is from.
The bluest skies we’ve ever seen were not in Seattle today.
Aside: At one point Jay went galloping down the side of the road during one of our ‘ooo!’, and ‘aww!’ stops. I wondered what he was up to, then realized he had spied some trash and couldn’t bear to not right this wrong. He always does that. He hates litter. Once, before we were married, I saw him return some through the window to its proper owner who had tossed it onto the grass. I loved him for it.
Then we hiked to the Lower Falls of Calf Creek. We had the Mystifying-Meg with us. ‘Mystifying’ because I am mystified at the accolades and attention our little collie-gal drew from the other hikers. (This trail was not less traveled, but very fun nonetheless.) She just smiles, wags her foxy tail and looks people in the eye like an honest doggie a human being can trust, I guess. We never got that sort of attention with our babies. What is this world coming to?
Nut-Meg, showing her true colors. She was named, actually, for her color. She is going to be Mommy-Meg soon. We have all taken guesses as to how many puppies she will have. Jay – 5, Mark – 7, Kyle – 8, Me – 6. One thing is certain – they will be A-Door-A-Bull.
Note to self: Take this hike again. Dress up. Go in the Autumn. Go very early in the morning. Take my camera and tripod so I can be in a family portrait. Take the image as soon as we get there, not after the twins have had their fun in the sand and water. Or, at least, take a ‘before’ picture too. Better yet, take someone else we love and double the fun. Then I wouldn’t have to pack a tripod. Anyone want to hike Calf Creek Falls this Fall?
Some new friends made, and an impromptu photo shoot. He is a foot doctor. When we got down to the cars, his feet had had it too. And he wasn’t smiling quite so big.
FUN day.
