I leave for my cross-country tour in one week. That is just wild. I’ve been looking forward to this for so long, I can’t believe my departure is imminent. I’m especially excited about the first non-California stop on my tour – Sedona, Arizona.
I had my first two days all planned out – Santa Cruz to Vegas to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to Sedona. Unfortunately there are several wildfires burning in Arizona right now, one that just a week ago was threatening the town of Sedona. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon has been closed due to fire, which requires significant re-routing. The Coconino National Forest has also been closed until fire danger decreases. This is a huge bummer because not only is beautiful country being burned up and homes and businesses being threatened, but also because the main reason I’m going to Sedona is to experience the vortexes, all of which are located within the Coconino National Forest.
The incredibly helpful ranger at the Coconino Visitor Information Center told me that they won’t likely open the forest until weather conditions improve and they get at least 2 inches of rain… So while just a few months ago I was whining for the rain to stop, now I’m sitting here praying for rain in the desert. Oh the irony. But the Southwest is indeed experiencing a rush of thunderstorms (it was lightening that started the fires), so anything is possible. In the meantime, I’m doing my best to remain flexible and remember that this whole journey is an adventure, and it’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. I’m sure there will be plenty of beauty in the detours as well…
Seven days and counting… Fires or no, Arizona, here I come!
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