Sand Canyon - Part 2

Joseph and I woke up around 6:30 after a night spent on a surprisingly comfortable fold out couch. Dad was already up and starting breakfast. He cut up chunks of potatoes, dumped them in a dutch oven, poured an incredibly generous amount of oil over them and started cooking them on the propane BBQ. By 7:30, breakfast, complete with fried eggs - haven't had those in years - was served. Outside. Joseph ate toast and a banana but took one bite of fried egg white dipped in yolk and spit it out. He's too used to his mommy's scrambles.

The views from my parents' house are amazing. I couldn't stop taking pictures as the sun rose over the mountains. While breakfast was cooking, we headed to the front of the house so J could play on his tire swing.

Side note: My dad makes awesome swings. One of my clearest childhood memories is of him climbing up a tree to secure knots on crazy, homemade swings. He made one that seated me, Melissa and Becky all at once. (Rachel was too little.) I remember him pushing us higher and higher as we screamed in delight and fear.

After breakfast, Dad told us that he was taking us for a walk. I hadn't packed hiking shoes, so threw on my Keds. Becky's choices were a bit more slim - sandals or cowboy boots. Opting for the boots, we grabbed a couple waters and started walking up the road leading away from the house.

The grade was steep - not so bad that Joseph couldn't walk it, but steep enough that we had to take it slow. Poor guy...his shoe choice was Crocs with socks. I hadn't thought to bring sneakers considering we were only staying 24-hours. Little Bit took the lead with Dad following, cane in one hand, cigarette and coffee in the other. We ambled up the road, taking pictures, watching out for snakes. We got to the end of the road and turned to discover a panoramic view of the house and surrounding hillside. We stopped to take a drink of water. Dad looked at us and said, "We ain't there yet." Turning, he started up the side of the hill. Becky and I looked at each other. It was obvious that Joseph wasn't going to be able to walk up the hill. Becky said that she'd carry him first. She put him on her back and up they went.

Part way up, the hill leveled out. We stopped for water. Dad looked at us and said, "We ain't there yet." I took my turn with Joseph on my back and up we went. We climbed steadily for what seemed like hours with a 30 pound child on my back, but was probably only about 20 minutes. Rocks slid beneath my feet, prickly cactus scratched at my sockless ankles. I was sweating, huffing and puffing while Dad walked ahead, drinking his coffee, pausing for a moment to light a new cigarette. We finally reached the summit. The view was amazing. We sat on rocks and caught our breath. I wasn't looking forward to the decent. It was tricky enough balancing J on my back on the way up considering he didn't like to hold on. Going downhill was going to be awkward.

Becky took the first turn with Joseph as Dad led us down. Joseph had had enough. He kept yelling, "No back! No hike!" while squirming. Becky handed him off to me. He quieted when I threatened to sell him to gypsies. (Nice, loving gypsies. Geesh. What kind of mother do you think I am?)

After what seemed like hours, we finally made it back to the house. I called Chad to check in and interrupted his breakfast. It was only 9:30. After cold showers and a little more visiting, we left Sand Canyon and headed to Bakersfield to meet Mom for lunch and continue the uneventful trek home. (The long walk wore Joseph out so much he ended up sleeping most of the way home.)

Dad said that he'd take Chad on the long hike when he came to visit. Long hike?! I told Chad he'd better start training now. It wouldn't look right for a 57-year-old man to out-pace him. Especially if said 57-year-old man does it while smoking a cigarette.