California to Texas

Since our last post, we have done some of the following:

-cliff jumped into naturally turquoise blue waters
-driven 1500+ miles
-stayed with some very good friends from earlier days of our lives
-seen swarms of bats arise from a cave

 In sum we have been having a blast.  Our first stop was the Grand Canyon, but not your typical South Rim/North Rim experience.  No, we headed for the Supai Indian reservation, a town eight miles into the canyon on a piece of paradise.  This region could seriously be the modern Garden of Eden; nestled between rich red canyon walls, surrounded by lush green vegetation, lays some of the most beautiful waterfalls and creeks Kindra and I ever set eye on. 

We camped a few miles past the town, and walking to the site I encountered Havasu Falls, the place of my heart.  For the past two years I have had up in my office a picture of this glorious waterfall, and it daily inspired me to continue resting and enjoying in the midst of chaos and work.  It represents to me the peace of God, the restful and flowing presence of love, a place where I am safe.  Kindra and I set up our tent and headed back to the falls to go swimming.

Havasu Falls

Despite the tribe's obvious policies prohibiting diving and jumping into water, we couldn't resist making a splash into the numerous turquoise pools at the base of Havasu Falls.  We laughed, we swam, we even tried swimming towards the powerful falls itself, only to be pushed around by a forceful current.  We were in paradise. 

After a warm night's sleep (it was in the balmy 50s compared to our camping in the 20s only a few weeks earlier), we set off on an adventure for Beaver Falls, a three mile trek across creeks, chain ladders and various waterfalls.  Forgetting our water shoes, Kindra soaked her tennis shoes in the creek while I went barefoot most of the way.  The start of the trail took us down a chain laden cliff side to Mooney Falls, and then we trekked through turquoise pools and along a wispy red dirt trail until our eventual arrival at the tranquil Beaver Falls. 

Way to Mooney Falls!

Creek crossing

Just past there our real adventure began, as we rock climbed a precarious perch over a small waterfall.  Following this strenuous and exhilarating climb, where several times I thought for sure I would fall into the water, we found a perfect spot for 20 foot cliff jumps, and had some fun making a splash. 

Site of our precarious climbing and cliff jumping.

This whole journey into the canyon was memorable, and a highlight of the whole trip thus far for me.  Kindra and I made friends with a few travelers while camping, one from Arizona and one from Nebraska.  They treated us to wine and freeze dried eggs, and we had some good laughs with them.  After a grueling ten mile hike out of the canyon, we stayed with our friends the Kepners in Flagstaff, and the following day the Dagens in El Paso.  Both families were incredibly hospitable and fun to catch up with.

Us with Jeremiah and Lori Kepner in Flagstaff.

Craig and Heidi Dagen with their daughter Lydia in El Paso.

Months ago, Kindra told me she had never seen Carlsbad Caverns, and so following El Paso we explored this National Park, full of stalactites and stalagmites.  That evening, we went to a 'bat show,' where thousands of bats flew out of the Cavern at sunset in fantastic swirling, darting style.  As if the night couldn't get better, our campsite head for that evening supplied us with free firewood.  It was a cold night, in the 30s, so a warm fire hit the spot.  We awoke in the morning to the paw prints of raccoons saturating our car :)

We are now in Austin, TX, my namesake, and are thankful to be staying with the one of Kindra's bridesmaids, Caroline.  In the this week we will be in Houston, Dallas, Arlington, Arkansas and Kansas.  The adventure continues!

For more pictures of Grand Canyon: https://picasaweb.google.com/117860913937238604610/HavasupaiGrandCanyon#