day three: part one

{2 new posts below}

Nowhere, CO; Moab, UT; Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

we drove a lot. and for a long time.  

lots of mountains in the distance and wide open spaces.

deserts and wild horses. rock formations and indian reservations.

we hadn't showered in more than a day.
so the hats came out and inhibitions tucked away.

we took turns driving throughout the trip. 
in three+ hour trips; pilot and co-pilot.
colorado to utah:

we sang ALOT and mostly all the time. taylor and lindsay prepared some rad
cd and ipod mixes
and we had "our" songs that we learned very quickly when to 
play
when a spirit need to be lifted, an attitude needed to be adjusted
it was such an eclectic mix. old classics, indie pop, awful country, 90's country, john prine, singer-songwriter, robert earl keen, lots of texas country.

around 3pm we entered Moab, Utah and were itchin for a stop. 
the town is super cute, super hippie with a sweet mountain flare.
we were looking for a local brewery that we'd seen advertised but after
too many wrong turns on one way streets
we parked Geronimo
and walked
to Woody's Tavern.

and yes. we were the only people there.
we had a one beer rule.
and promptly started the jukebox and loaded only two songs: always on my mind and wagon wheel
a pool game happened too, just because it felt right.

it was like we were in a different world. 
our own.

 

they served popcorn and pretzels and the wooden carved bar told stories 
i'd give 
much of my day to hear.

we left, though we could have stayed for hours.
it was refreshing and a much need lift to our road-wearied bodies and spirits
we drove for many {what felt like a million} hours more, begging the sun to stay strong, stay out
and let us watch her set in one the 
wonders of the world.

this drive was beautiful; completely wide.open.
deserts that were beautiful; interesting rock structures and navajo indian
culture everywhere. 
we finally turned off the main highway en route to the
grand canyon
and were 
literally
chasing the
sun

we opened all the windows, taylor mastered the most perfect soundtrack and we made subtle, reassuring suggestions insisting;
"it'll be ok if we don't get there til dark, we did the best we could."
"maybe we could just stay for sunrise?"

but all secretly holding out hope on that that last orange sliver in the sky......