If I can't convince you - - I'll at least confuse you.: no way

So I got tired of my whining.

There is NO "fall" here. No changing leaves. No cold. No need for long sleeves.

So last Saturday . . . we headed north. North bound to Sedona. You see a little co-worker told the Pita a thing of beauty . . . "the leaves are changing & beginning to fall in Sedona".

. . . . You had me at "changing". My day pack is packed. So we woke up Peanut bright and early [like she went in her P.J's, early] and off we went. With a promise of colored leaves, a 8 mile hike & even some fly fishing for the big-guy.

After our normal bickering during travel. . . .

. . . ."you are too close" . . . . . "You drive too fast" . . . . "you are an angry driver" . . . . "you are NOT teaching Peanut how to drive" . . . . and a freaking whole lot of honking . . .

Ahhhhh Sedona. The only fabulous City in Arizona where they are too stupid to put in TWO lanes that lead to the city.

First stop. holy bummer. How did I not know the 50k was today. super bummed. Would have loved to run it! Saw a few runners at mile 17. They looked great & strong.

Here's the photo Peanut captured of me wishing I was running.

Next stop. Fishing for Pita. Frolicking in the water for Peanut and for me FREEZING. I got what I asked for . . . cold. And you guessed it . . . only a long sleeve hoodie-ish thing [minus the hood]. So I sat trying to find my inner lizard on a rock to soak up the sun. Ya, doesn't work when the rock is freezing too. Anyway, spent 1.75 hours picking out items out of the Nordstrom Christmas Catalog . . yay! I found my must have boots Karen!! Bummer they don't come in red. ;)

So it's lunch time but the Pita wants to get a hikin'. We have a lot of water and almonds. Oh yay. We are off. It's beautiful. b e a u t i f u l. Even prettier than I had imagined.

Yellow leaves all over the path/walk-way. Awesome.

We got about 1.5 miles in and Peanut mentioned the word. lunch.

Peanut: when is lunch?
[I look at the Pita]
Peanut: Do we have lunch?
Peanut: Mom, please tell me you packed a lunch?
Emz: Kid you ate your "lunch" at 10:05.
Peanut: Mom, what time is it?
Emz: ummmm, ya. I don't know. we're walking. we're walking . . .
Peanut: Mom. Time. Por Favor. [yes, when the Pita takes Spanish lessons, we all benefit]
Emz: it's like one kjhdaswtaysf [that's me slurring]
Peanut: one what?
Emz: uggg, fine 1:35pm.

So we make it another 1/4 mile and we see "Happy Camper Joe". Who says, what we think was, "howdy [no joke], you are all gonna love the view. spent the night there. only 3 miles to go to beauty".

The look from Peanut was priceless. Then without saying a word she went to the nearby tree and did this:

Awwwww, ya. That's my girl. Such fierce determination. Such vigor. Such excitement.

So we did what all parents would do. Played one hour of "I Spy". I could care less if I ever play that game again. But it worked. We got there. And it was wonderful. And worth it. And awesome.

We did see a super cool mouse with serious issues. kept going in circles.

We stayed at least 5 minutes and. it. never. stopped.

Pita was going to "put it out of it's misery" but tears from Peanut --- quickly halted the hunt. I have a sweet video of it that I have no clue how to upload or attach. It's sad but freaking hilarious at the same time.

Peanut & Pita decided to follow camper Joe's advice and get their feet soaking wet in the water and go the extra 1/4 mile around the canyon. Me. No. Thank you. My blisters are almost fully recovered from October 2nd. I'm sitting this one out.

Turns out, the party-pooper . . [me] . . was smart. Guess who had freezing toes and needed "beaver skin" [AKA ...mole skin, I swear the kid will never remember the right word].

The 4+ mile trek back was hilarious. Fabulous family experience. My kid. She's pretty funny. Loved every whine and comment.

Like:
[each statement below is al la Peanut, where does she learn the sarcasm?!]

* Mom, spare me the "50 mile stories"
* Mom, this is not mile 48.
* So next time you expect me to walk 8 miles, could we maybe pack 7 Cheerios?
* I am hopeless. [As she trips over her 42 rock of the day.]
* Ehhhhh, who needs to feel their toes anyway?
* so do I get a buckle or a pat on the head when this is over?
* I spy something that starts with a "s". [no pause] soup. Oh wait that was just a mirage. [this kid reads too much].
* Where are MY 300 Spartan sleeves? I am Spartan!
* Mom, look I'm you . . .[flexes her abs, raises her arms, then says MY LINE!]...... "I've freaking got this!" heeeheeeheee.

Not sure where she gets this personality of hers . . .but....I. Love. It.

Yay for family road trips. Even ones without proper food.