Preparations

"I'm Ready" ~ Tracy Chapman

"I want to wake up and know where I'm going
Say I'm ready
Say I'm ready

I want to go where the rivers are overflowing and
I'll be ready
I'll be ready

I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me

 

If the waters can redeem me
I'm ready
I'm ready..."

____________________________________________________________________

 

Final preparations are now upon me. 

 

I can hardly believe that next week, precisely four days from today, I'm flying to Arizona, visiting Phoenix, Sedona, three national parks (Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion in Utah), Lake Powell, Monument Valley (where scenes from National Lampoon's Vacation, among many other films and TV shows, were filmed), and shuttling off to one spectacular night in Sin City before returning home to reality (and everything else I'm leaving behind).

 

I booked this trip 4 1/2 months ago - between Christmas and New Year's Eve - after months of research. I started investigating escorted trips (this is my first time flying anywhere other than the Sunshine State, so I kinda really wanted someone to hold my hand, preferably a cute old lady seeking a thirty-something granddaughter, do all the driving, book my hotels, plan my meals, and set the itinerary) at the end of last summer, eventually narrowing it down to two: Canyon Country (the eventual winner) and a cruise to Bermuda. I waffled between the two (like any good indecisive) for months (not weeks), pondering the pros and cons of each. 

 

The Grand Canyon trip's benefits were obvious: several bucket-list sites (and sights) and an opportunity to hike (one of my favorite summer pastimes) through at least two out of three national parks. The cruise (aka overpriced floating hotel, as I've come to think of it), on the other hand, would allow me to use my first passport for the first time. I've always wanted (and still want) to someday cruise, preferably to a warm tropical land totally unlike my own, so it's also a bucket-list item. 

 

But there were two major drawbacks: 1) limited time (1 day?) in the actual destination (versus nine days with CC); and 2) dress code (specifically a cocktail dress, which I don't currently own and am not keen on buying. (For me, a big part of vacation is having the freedom to wear whatever you want, although, of course, I would have no intention of looking like a sweaty slob at dinner or shows.) Plus, it seems to me, that international escorted cruises are prevalent; there's at least one offered every summer. But the Grand Canyon extravaganza could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. (Plus, it was cheaper and far more inclusive than the cruise, so it was ultimately a no-brainer.)

 

So the choice was made, the preparations begun, and now the packing must ensue. I can imagine the next few days will hurtle by with a flurry of loose-end tying at work and home, but in the midst of the insanity is a growing realization that this is really happening...to me...and an accompanying excitement despite my nerves. 

 

I'll depart next week with promises to take photos, call Mom, have a great time, and  forget about work (and not forget to take something I need) and hopefully return alive, rested, refreshed (emotionally, physically, and spiritually), cultured, and braver, with at least a portion of my savings account intact. (I don't gamble, and have no plans to start now, but Vegas is pricey, you know...)