But first, more geology. Did you know that there were once even more sedimentary layers on top of the layer we walk upon at the Grand Canyon? I didn't. I did a day trip to Petrified Forest National Park and learned a whole new set. Some of these layers also eroded to reveal the petrified trees, which crack at almost predictable sections as the dirt settles away. Underneath the ground where I stood lie all the layers revealed at Grand Canyon. And once I get to Zion National Park, I'll see layers that were washed away from Petrified Forest!
Next stop; Sedona. I've been here a couple times before, with Sharon and Eva. I wandered the high-end tchotchke shops, but aside from not being a shopper anyway, you really can't be interested in anything when you live in your van. I went back to a restaurant we had been to before, and sprung for a hotel room that night. The next morning I hiked to Cathedral Rock, a short but scrambly route to amazing views.
Next stop; Phoenix. Here's the reason for this post's title; (as in- Make new friends, but keep the old…) I saw my good friend Lee, who was here for a job! As we saw each other and came in for a hug, I felt a wave of love, nostalgia, common history and happiness all at once. It reminded me just how much I miss all my friends back home. We actually talked about that over dinner, among a million other things. I shared how much I miss everyone, but that it's tempered by the path I'm on, of nature, new vistas and new insights about this new chapter in which I find myself. Everything is new, all the time. I am SO looking forward to spending March back east.
Next stop, Tucson. But on the way I passed two really cool spots. More geology. Check out Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. It's thought to be the largest travertine bridge in the world. I did a rock scramble all the way through it. It was one of those times when you ask yourself if you're maybe too old to be doing this, but then after you did it you feel great.
The other spot was Casa Grande National Monument. This was the very first US National Monument preserve, in 1918. Interestingly, the signage hasn't been updated in quite a while, and better info is available. For instance, some signs refer to the Hohokam people; a Spanish missionary asked, “Who built this?” when he came in 1654. The people answered, with a different pronunciation, “Hoo hoo kam”, or, people who lived here before us. So when they came to be known as Hohokam, it was as if they were being called their own ancestors. Sigh…
The hole on the top left of the last picture is a solstice marker. Around June 21st, the sun shines directly through, only on the solstice. There is another hole on the other side that somehow marks an 18 year lunar cycle as well.
I'm here in Tucson for two weeks, so I can be here to see my former school colleague and friend Bárbara Martinez do a performance February 8th. I've mostly been on the move this whole journey; it will be interesting to see how I use my time.