AZ to Nevada

Woke up this morning in a hotel just outside of Zion National Park. The air was crisp and smelled of dry mountains. It was a unique experience stepping out of the room as the sun peaked over massive rusty colored cliffs. Taking a deep breath I was glad for the trip. Our path towards the Grand Canyon took us back through Zion for another amazing scenic view. We discovered that the crazy long tunnel carved directly through a massive mountain was made in the 1930s. This may be my new favorite park! While I drove Emily read about the park and revealed that the high mountains of Colorado drain water and wind which created Zion that led to the Arizona deserts which culminated in the Grand Canyon. So after Zion we found ourselves in 100° weather flying through Arizona desert. By chance, we came upon horseshoe bend which was also a sight to behold. I did see kayakers and if it wasn’t for the heat I would love to kayak the Colorado river. All of these places have such spectacular viewpoints. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of driving we arrived at the Grand Canyon. It was so massive that it looked fake. A canyon as far as the eye could see that stretched in every direction. It was so deep that we could barely see the bottom. In fact, as I was leaning over a large stone slab at waste height to peer of the vertigo inducing precipitous drop off my future Darwin Award winning mut leaped up onto the slab to see what I was viewing. I could see it in his eyes the instant his gaze cleared the slab to see the 1000’ drop in the other side. It was a mixture of, “oh $hit” and “dad save me!!”  Luckily I had a hint he may do something that foolish so I snagged him back. But to Emily it appeared that we almost lost our dog in the Grand Canyon... after the heart attacks settled we continued our way around the south rim. I would love to come back and hike down and train/donkey back up. It was beautiful there. At this point after 9 hours of driving Emily took over for our drive to Vegas. The sun set over the desert as we drove and planned our next attack. I was starting to get exhausted grumpy which happens to me later in the evenings without rest. We made it to Las Vegas and cruised the strip at night which was a different kind of amazing. We saw the great glittering pyramid, Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Bellagio fountains, and much more before arriving at our hotel and collapsing in exhaustion. What a day!

Utah and Hangovers

We started out the morning with a rough ride for Emily. Last night’s cocktail and wine infused fiesta was taking its toll early in the morning. I somehow managed to scrape her out of bed and pour her into the car as we set out for Arches National Park. It was a rough ride as Emily’s stabbing headache and churning stomach did not appreciate the winding and twisting venture over the Rockies. Despite the hangover it was a beautiful drive. Powerful mountains that sliced the horizon and projected a violent tectonic history. We crossed over into Utah and everything started to flatten out and the humidity plummeted which felt great with the windows down. Following a late start we survived an otherwise uneventful drive from Denver to Utah. As we descended upon Arches the landscape changed dramatically from flat and mundane to odd vibrantly red rock formations. We collapsed after 9 hours of driving and hangover recovering upon arriving at the hotel. 

The next morning we got up early to avoid crowds/people. I was proud of Emily for getting up early with me. Driving through the park as the sun came up was spectacular! Mammoth rock formations at each turn set ablaze in a fiery red by the rising sun. After what we experienced at Arches it has become one of my top 3 parks. The strange and alien-like landscape was jaw dropping. Our 3 mile hike to Delicate Arch was littered with hikers gushing over our dog. It was a light and perfect hike with a spectacular ending (see pictures). The delicate arch lived up to its hype and both Emily and I risked hiking out to the arch itself which saddled steep drop offs in a rusty colored bowl canyon. The desert temperature climbed rapidly and the larger tourists seemed to be struggling as we were already returning from our hike. Bear had a blast. We went picture crazy throughout the whole park due to its unique beauty. After Arches we began our long trek to Bryce Canyon. The landscape again melted to mundane flat countryside. Emily studies away and Bear slept for most of it. However as we got closer the roads became much more windy and our poor, handsome dog got terrifically car sick. We slowed down and opened the windows which helped.  Bryce Canyon was another mind boggling experience. With its 1000’ viewpoints over a canyon pepper with stacks and arches carved by sand and wind. Bear even hiked around with us after recovering from the drive. I love describing places but Bryce and Zion they left me speechless. Sadly we found out that Zion was limited due to COViD but we still drove through the majority of the park and it easily rivals Yosemite. It reminded me of Machu Picchu with its sheer grandeur. We wound our way through mega red mountains and valleys. It was like Yosemite and Arches had a baby that grew to be a giant. Pictures sadly do not do it justice so I recommend looking online! Our last adventure was driving out in Zion late at night and listening to the park in the dark under the stars. Best few minutes of my life!

Denver and Beyond

We have been having an incredible trip! I got up bright and early for my 4 mile run. Oof! It was only 73° but 1000% humidity and I nearly killed Bear the on this terrible run but I did it. It was surreal to be jogging down back country roads through country fields with cows and little jack rabbits under a beaming sunrise. It smelled of morning due and farmlands. After waking up Sleeping Beauty and showering we had a hardy goodbye breakfast with Larry and Cathy. We will miss this beautiful place and these wonderful and heartwarming people. On our drive out we experienced intermittent country rain storms. I loved watching entire storm heads roaming over the countryside like large jellyfish. It made driving interesting as one minute we were having a normal cruise and the next, such a torrential downpour that I couldn’t  see. Today was our longest drive. Emily was studying hard for Boards. We met up with one of Emily’s chiefs in Kansas City for more BBQ always amazing. Bear continues to be a fantastic traveling dog. It was a LONG driving day but I finally saw the sight I have been waiting for... after miles on miles of flat earth meeting the sky I glimpsed the first mountain. Then the Rockies burst forward with a sunset backdrop igniting the clouds with bright pinks and oranges. We arrived in Denver and our hotel was spectacular. It’s a new aged theme with emphasis on common areas and utilitarian tiny rooms. This is presumably for millennials who only use their rooms for sleep. It held a boutique feeling throughout the entire building. I loved it!  We met up with Emily’s Med school compatriot Anna and Elio. We had great cheap pizza and laughed the night away. The next day we met up with more friends, ran, and went for a hike with Elio. The altitude did have an effect but it slews still enjoyable. Bear loved bouldering with us and I did grow tired of seeing all super fit people sprinting up and down the trails. We met Anna’s pug who was an extreme pug complete with snorting and an overexcitable persona. We all then went out to an delectable Asian fusion restaurant we ate foods that rocked our taste buds and drank to our hearts content (leading to severe hangovers). It was a night filled with friends, food, laughter, and pure joy. Sorry but due to the living portion of our trip we always forget pictures. 

Missouri

I love Julie’s house. So many great memories here. Her two dogs fell in love with Bear. Our poor dog, he is so confused now that he is off his schedule. After an amazing night sleep we ran out in the 90° weather. It was rough. We managed to pick the only uphills in the neighborhood. Today was a bit of a recovery day and planning. Julie and I told Emily stories about White Castle and Ted Drews (a tradition started in the Rosenfeld clan). To go into a bit of detail; White Castle ‘burgers’ are actually a fast food slider otherwise known as ‘belly bombers’ that my dad was/is addicted too. Ever since I can remember, every time we visited St. Louis we ate them. Ted Drew’s is a famous frozen custard stand that serve such cold custards that you could flip them upside down and they would not fall out, even in St. Louis heat. Luckily we were able to hit both for lunch today. Not surprisingly Emily did not fully appreciate the Rosenfeld infatuation with this particular fast food ‘restaurant’ but was a great sport and LOVED the Carmel custard she got. Then we had a family dinner with decent social distancing of 6’ and no hugs or direct contact. I got to hang out with Julie, Barbara, Connie, Les, Mike, Erin, and met their two adorable children! We laughed and ate our way through the night. 

The next morning Emily charged ahead with a 4 mile treadmill run and we said our goodbyes. Off to my aunt and uncle on the Abernathy side (Larry and Cathy). I have not been here since 2011. I LOVE THIS PLACE!! They live on 400 acres and have built/added on to an original log house to create a beautiful mismatch of spectacular rustic theme and modern ranch house surrounded by beautifully manicured lawn with pools and wild life in the middle of extensive fields under a Midwest sky... I fall in love every time I am here! Our dog frolicked in the endless property and swam in their pool. I have never seen him so happy. We sat down for an amazing country meal complete with a peaches and cream pie in an elegantly decorated dining room set with their finest china. After a night of food, wine, and intense discussions, debates, and reminiscing we retired to the in-law suite. What a day!! now for a 4 mile jog tomorrow morning. 

Photos to come when I have better internet. 

BBQ and Driving

Well last night was fun as it rained all night without any indication from the weather news. Luckily growing up in Ketchikan has me always expecting rain while camping. We haven’t camped in awhile and I think Emily loves my pad more than her because we waged war in our sleep over the pad. Bear declared the back seat as his own and used it to sleep while camping without prompting. The next morning was a beautifully misty morning full of vibrante life. Sadly after all the driving we couldn’t see the famous new river gorge bridge due to the fog. So we set out. Bear has got the driving routine down and sleeps for most of the driving. The drive was calming and filled with great vistas. We even managed to stop along the way for a run in WV. We met up with a longtime peace corps friend and now Liberia’s PC director in Louisville, KY for out-of-this-world BBQ.  After stuffing our faces with succulent smoky meats we set out for St. Louis and arrived at aunt Julie’s house for the night. Luckily our dogs all got along and had a great time catching up before we crashed for the night. 

I did forget to mention our run yesterday in WV. We set out in rural WV, a land with more Trump/Pence yard signs than teeth or masks. As we aimlessly roamed the dangerous backcountry roads with frequent troubled on-lookers stopping us to ask us what we were doing (running in our running clothes...) and trucks zipping by at incredible speeds on these small roads I worried that somehow they could smell the Democrat on us... but we survived and logged another run towards our goal. 

On the road and good bye DE

After a great OBGYN send off last night we made our final preparations and set out across the mighty USA. With a tremendous effort and precision packing I managed to get some of my belongings in the car with ALL of Emily’s. With a smooch per state line we cross we finally left Wilmington and Delaware in our rear view mirror. Thanks again to all of our great friends, mentors , and experiences. Best time I’ll never want to have again. Our first stop was a COViD protected breakfast with Missy and her fiancé, whom we had yet to meet. They were great and our dogs got to mingle too! Oh! Did I forget to mention that Bear is traveling with us?! I fashioned a king’s seat for him in the back and he loves it!  After DE, MD, and DC we hit Virginia in our way to West Virginia for our first camping spot close to New Gorges bridge. Along the way we studied and listen to books on racism and black culture.  the drive was beautiful. While Emily was napping I changed the route and took us over the skyline trail through Shenandoah. It was magical with high vistas overlooking blue collar valleys brimming with farming communities. We got out and took Bear for a brief hike on the AT. after a few more hours driving we finally arrived at our campsite where we did a short run, grabbed some grub, then sat together by the fire with Bear. What a great start to our adventure!

The last day in Delaware

What a ride it has been. 25 years of education culminating in a dual certification in emergency and family medicine. I’ve spent a total of 10 years on the East coast while dreaming of heading back. I’ve experienced broadway, 5 star dining, urban living, sweltering heat, snowflakes that shut down cities, and much more. It has been one hell of a ride. Emily and I made the most of our time here but we are so stoked to head to the last frontier. We are headed out on a cross country adventure in the middle of a re-surging pandemic leaving behind all of our belongings to be packed without us. I have to thank all the awesome people, mentors, teachers, and friends that made our Delaware stent enjoyable. I am relaxing to music and soaking up my urban neighborhood in sweltering 90 degrees. I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I have to say life is great! I have my dream career, I’m married to a beautiful and talented surgeon, we have the best dog EVER, good health, and amazing friends. What a life! Good by East coast and hello west coast!!