“Pray for us”

Twin Falls ID to Bryce Canyon UT – (500+ miles)

After another long travel day, we reach the Bryce Canyon sunset view just in time for the golden colors to illuminate the hoodoos (that is a real word – the spirals of rocks seemingly barely balanced on each other) of the amazing canyon below. 

We are not alone as several languages and all ages join us as we pass others on the rim trail ans take in the spectacular views.  We overhear young kids urging their parents to take them down into the canyon, we see one family carrying their kids up the last steep incline, while another pair have daypacks on front and kids on backs.  One person is in a wheelchair, while another is using her walker to get to the viewpoint.

After what must have been a very full day, we hear a dad call out to his oldest son (maybe 5 years old?) not to block his younger sister’s path (again?) as he pushes the baby in the stroller, we give a slight knowing nod (oh, yeah we remember those days) as the parents pass, and the mom gives out a sigh and says  “Pray for us!” as she continues chasing them down the trail.

Siri looks at me and says, “Well that is the second time that someone today has asked us to do that.”

We started the day trying to get a view of Shoshone Falls, and due to construction closing the normal viewpoint, we take a Google map induced detour and end up on a dirt trail getting a small peek-a-boo view.  We meet up with Kayla from Colorado Springs who is only a bit younger than us, and hear her story. 

Kayla, a veteran and single Mom, had just gotten fired by the Trump Administration after having done everything right to get a job with the department of defense.  Being the Christian person she is, she took this as a sign that God was telling her something.  She took this break to reconnect with her younger sister and realized she needed to be closer to her ailing father in California.  She talked about her adult children and her family, and she has an impressive story of resilience.  As we left and wished each other safe travels, she asked us to pray for her as well.  “I’m not sure what God wants me to do, but I’m sure I’ll get a sign soon.”

We are looking for signs as well.  Hopefully better than all the billboards as you enter Salt Lake City.   We make it to the capitol where it seems every family is outside having a picnic and all the school children are inside taking tours of the Capitol.  We wish we could stay just a bit longer, but we have a few more miles to  go before we sleep.

We are reminiscing about the last time we took this trip, with our kids and we spent three weeks from  Moab to the Grand Canyon.  We are still impressed by the wide open spaces and the amazing country we live in.  At the Capitol, we remember the last time we were here we had just picked up the new 7th Harry Potter book in the morning and read it to the kids all the way home to Seattle in one long drive. 

Glad we aren’t doing that this time.

As we take the turnoff to Bryce we are treated to the amazing Red Canyon, which is spectacular all on its own.  We take a short hike to the hoodoos here and enjoy the red rock contrasting with the gnarly green pines on its slopes.

We make it to Bryce and meet up with Megan and her dog Lilly, who are traveling from DC in her Sprintervan.  We get to take a tour.  She is also a veteran and has been impacted by the federal service terminations. She used to work in the state department and is now off to get her masters in international relations.  She is hoping there will be a state department to come back to when she graduates.

After our sunset view, we make it to our stop tonight in a cute cabin just outside the park and are met by Katy who hands us the keys.  “I’m glad I caught you before we had to leave for the school dance.” She tells us that it is the Prom for the Juniors, but because it is such a small town, everyone is invited. “It is at Ruby’s Inn down the road, it is only $8 and you’re welcome to come.”

We think about it, but decide to rest up for the day of hiking tomorrow. We sit outside, drink our tea, watch the stars come out on a clear night and full moon..

.. and we do pray, in our hearts, for everyone we met today.