West Leigh
Second Chance Detour
“Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn't mean to take.” ~Angela N. Blount
The day I took this was the day that started out all wrong, but wound up being all kinds of right.
A little back story: On our first day we planned to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ and hit Horseshoe bend for sunset. The rental car took way longer than expected and we missed it by 20 min. Not a huge deal, but hard to miss it by so little. Then the next day, the storm rolled in. We were driving from Page to Moab, UT that day through Monument Valley, which we were really excited about. To our dismay though, it was completely socked in. We couldn't see anything. At all. So we disappointingly drove right through. After a couple nights in Moab the plan was to drive to Bryce Canyon...that night a winter storm warning was issued with 3 feet of snow predicted overnight (the park actually closed for a couple days). This meant, drive straight into the storm, or turn around and head back the way we came. We opted to turn around and head for Page again.
It was disappointing to think we would miss Bryce (wanting to see it was the catalyst that started this trip) but we were also excited that this meant an extra shot at seeing monument valley. Weather forecasts predicted more clearing in the afternoon so we killed some time by going back to Arches. We were shocked to see the clouds start to lift and the sun peek through. "This is our chance to see Delicate Arch in sunlight!" we proclaimed. The first time seeing it we found ourselves in a big snow storm. So we hurried over and practically ran the 1.5 mile hike up a rock to catch it (at this point we had found ourselves in so many unexpected snow storms that we honestly felt like it was following us...we had to hurry to beat the storm!). Sure enough we made it, and it was incredible!
Feeling pretty elated about our first true turn of luck, we headed to Monument Valley. While I can't say we had blue skies with a few white puffy clouds, I can say we could see stuff! This photo is of the road that leads into it. I suddenly yelled, "I know this place!" and told Nick to pull over...and like the good husband he is, he slammed the brakes on immediately so I could get the shot I wanted. One done frequently, yes, but I wanted my version, from our trip.
After stopping to see "the mittens" we moved on and headed toward Page. It was apparent that we just might make it in time to see sunset at Horseshoe Bend. Up and over mountain passes we went, through snow and rain, but as we got closer to Page we could see a wonderful patch of blue sky directly where we were headed. Time was running out though! Sunset was beginning! When we pulled into the gravel lot to park the sun was hanging low. Grabbing our gear we ran through the sand, hiking down to the breathtaking canyon. The sun had dipped behind the mountains within minutes of us getting there, but somehow I managed to snag a picture I quite liked. We stayed until it was almost dark, enjoying the desert land and watching moonrise. What had started as a forced change of plans turned into what we dubbed "Second Chance Monday."
Life can throw the most unexpected things into our paths. It can be extremely frustrating when we hold too tightly to our own idea of "perfect." Only when we let go of these notions are we free to experience life as it comes and the process itself...full of surprises, disappointments, and second chances.
Second Chance Detour
“Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn't mean to take.” ~Angela N. Blount
The day I took this was the day that started out all wrong, but wound up being all kinds of right.
A little back story: On our first day we planned to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ and hit Horseshoe bend for sunset. The rental car took way longer than expected and we missed it by 20 min. Not a huge deal, but hard to miss it by so little. Then the next day, the storm rolled in. We were driving from Page to Moab, UT that day through Monument Valley, which we were really excited about. To our dismay though, it was completely socked in. We couldn't see anything. At all. So we disappointingly drove right through. After a couple nights in Moab the plan was to drive to Bryce Canyon...that night a winter storm warning was issued with 3 feet of snow predicted overnight (the park actually closed for a couple days). This meant, drive straight into the storm, or turn around and head back the way we came. We opted to turn around and head for Page again.
It was disappointing to think we would miss Bryce (wanting to see it was the catalyst that started this trip) but we were also excited that this meant an extra shot at seeing monument valley. Weather forecasts predicted more clearing in the afternoon so we killed some time by going back to Arches. We were shocked to see the clouds start to lift and the sun peek through. "This is our chance to see Delicate Arch in sunlight!" we proclaimed. The first time seeing it we found ourselves in a big snow storm. So we hurried over and practically ran the 1.5 mile hike up a rock to catch it (at this point we had found ourselves in so many unexpected snow storms that we honestly felt like it was following us...we had to hurry to beat the storm!). Sure enough we made it, and it was incredible!
Feeling pretty elated about our first true turn of luck, we headed to Monument Valley. While I can't say we had blue skies with a few white puffy clouds, I can say we could see stuff! This photo is of the road that leads into it. I suddenly yelled, "I know this place!" and told Nick to pull over...and like the good husband he is, he slammed the brakes on immediately so I could get the shot I wanted. One done frequently, yes, but I wanted my version, from our trip.
After stopping to see "the mittens" we moved on and headed toward Page. It was apparent that we just might make it in time to see sunset at Horseshoe Bend. Up and over mountain passes we went, through snow and rain, but as we got closer to Page we could see a wonderful patch of blue sky directly where we were headed. Time was running out though! Sunset was beginning! When we pulled into the gravel lot to park the sun was hanging low. Grabbing our gear we ran through the sand, hiking down to the breathtaking canyon. The sun had dipped behind the mountains within minutes of us getting there, but somehow I managed to snag a picture I quite liked. We stayed until it was almost dark, enjoying the desert land and watching moonrise. What had started as a forced change of plans turned into what we dubbed "Second Chance Monday."
Life can throw the most unexpected things into our paths. It can be extremely frustrating when we hold too tightly to our own idea of "perfect." Only when we let go of these notions are we free to experience life as it comes and the process itself...full of surprises, disappointments, and second chances.