Kellisa’s first visit to Petrified
Forest National Park during spring break 2010 was unlike anything we had ever
experienced. Although it was officially spring, northern Arizona still felt
more like late winter. The air was cool and crisp, making it comfortable to
spend the day exploring under brilliant blue skies without the summer crowds or
heat.
This trip was especially meaningful
because it was one of the first trips where we relied on Kellisa's new Special
Tomato special needs jog stroller. The rugged three-wheel stroller proved
to be an excellent companion as we explored every accessible trail and overlook
in the park. Smooth paved paths allowed Kellisa to comfortably experience the
incredible scenery.
March 2006
After exploring the ancient pueblos of
Wupatki National Monument, our journey toward Grand Canyon National Park nearly
came to an unexpected end—not because of the weather, but because of a tiny
stroller tire.
Kellisa's oversized jogging stroller had become an
essential part of our adventures, allowing us to explore far beyond what a
standard wheelchair or stroller could handle. Before leaving Wupatki, however,
one of its tires went flat. In the middle of rural northern Arizona, our
options were almost nonexistent. We pulled into a small gas station, hoping for
anything that might help.
Our 17th anniversary adventure through
Arizona brought us to Montezuma Castle
National Monument on a cool, crisp March afternoon. The comfortable
weather made for a relaxing visit as Chris, Lisa, and Kellisa explored one of
the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the Southwest.
Our 17th wedding anniversary took us to
one of the most beautiful landscapes in the American Southwest—Sedona, Arizona. We expected sunshine and
warm desert temperatures, but instead found crisp air and surprisingly cold
conditions. Even bundled up in jackets, the cool weather couldn't diminish the
incredible scenery surrounding us. Every direction revealed towering crimson
cliffs, sculpted buttes, and massive sandstone formations glowing against
brilliant blue skies.
There are some adventures you remember
not because the weather was perfect, but because you refused to let the weather
keep you from experiencing something extraordinary. Our visit to the Lava
Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in March 2006
was exactly that kind of day.
At nearly 7,000 feet above sea
level, winter still had a firm grip on northern Arizona. Bitter cold winds
swept across the volcanic landscape while patches of snow blanketed the lava
fields and the surrounding ponderosa pine forest. The nearby San Francisco
Peaks rose in the distance, their snow-covered summits creating a stunning
backdrop against the dark volcanic cinders that surrounded us.
