My immediate response was “Hell, Yes! ….. What’s Havasupai???”
Havasupai is an 800 year old Native American Indian reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is extremely difficult to obtain a pass to visit, yet Mindy knew a couple that had gone before and they were able to access first opportunity for possible passes for this year.
https://www.theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/
As I searched info on Havasupai early on, I realized that we would be on the reservation during the Harvest full moon. (?!) I have looked forward to last night’s full moon ritual for almost a year!!!
Years ago, I read the book, Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. My takeaway from her personal account of her trek of the Pacific Crest Trail was this: She was in a checkout line, saw a book on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. She went to REI and bought all the gear, then she set out on the trail never having hiked or camped before.
Yep.
TOTALLY something that I would do. I always wanted to try it. I don’t even know why. Maybe because I love a good challenge? Perhaps because I like going “against the grain” of what people expect of me versus how I see myself? I don’t know. But, it has always been in the back of my mind.
I could not have been more unprepared for this trip as I tore off the tags to my brand new backpack and unpacked the Amazon boxes to fill it the night before I flew out.
Yet, I made it.
As an avid “people watcher,” I observed people from all over the world trekking a tough hike in to what can only be described as paradise.
It’s an expensive and difficult trip to make. I have seen more Lululemon and Patagonia gear than you could “shake a stick at,” so what is the draw to “roughing it?”
Same as mine…most of the people that I’ve met have been doctors, lawyers, biologists, writers, teachers, entrepreneurs…and what are we all seeking? Peace, connection, adventure…(???)
I was walking to the campground from the village yesterday, and I caught up to a Dad with his two sons who appeared to be about 4 and 6 years old. He was walking between them holding their hands as they stumbled over rocks and bore the weight of their gear. When they briefly mentioned their little legs being tired, he said “Let’s pretend that we’re helicopters! Cranking up those propellers!” as he circled their arms and magically instilled motivation in them to keep going forward. I can’t imagine the relational foundation that he’s building with his children.
I saw couples sitting together waiting for the moon to appear over the canyon rim. Families playing in waterfalls. Laughter. Joy.
In the middle of nowhere.
No technology.
No electricity.
No running water.
Generally speaking, most if not all of us here are accustomed to all the comforts available to us in life, yet we’re choosing to place our bodies in discomfort to achieve…something.
I’ll admit…the first night, even this view from my hammock wasn’t enough to make me think all of it was worth it.
Actually, that’s not true. I did think it was worth it to see that view and experience the magic of the canyon…. Yet, I was ready to go.
I had seen it.
I thought of Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation when he stands overlooking the Grand Canyon, nods, and then says, “Ok, Let’s Go!”
I couldn’t sleep at all the first night, so instead of sleeping, I mentally planned my escape. I would helicopter out the next day, drive 3 hours to Vegas, stay on the strip, dinner, shows…come back to pick up the crew on Wednesday when they hiked out. Done.
One of our group members was injured on the hike down, and the next morning, I learned that he would need to be helicoptered out that day. Of course, I volunteered to help by flying out with him, driving him to his hotel, then proceeding on my way to Vegas. See…I’m “helping!” 😬
I was assured that he would be just fine making it on his own. 🙄
I had actually decided that my middle of the night fantasies were just that anyway as I couldn’t possibly leave Mindy and the rest of the group behind just to escape mild discomfort.
The deeper part of me though needed to know why I was there.
That required staying.
Last night, Mindy and I sat at the edge of Mooney Falls overlooking the falls and waiting on the moon to appear over the rim in front of us. At some point, I looked behind us and we realized that the light on the canyon was from the moon rising on the horizon, but hidden from our view by the canyon wall in front of us.
INCREDIBLE.
We had never seen the moon rise in such a way!
It reminded me of the full moon ritual in November of 2024 as I had just closed on my land purchase that day, and my friends joined me that night. As we sat around a fire that night speaking our Gratitude, Release, and Receive as is a part of my ritual, I spoke out what I saw coming into fruition on that land and the words “Easy Abundance” as an owl “agreed” loudly right where I was pointing.
Last night, Mindy and I spoke of that night last year and how we would have NEVER been able to predict that we’d be sitting at the bottom of the Grand Canyon overlooking a gorgeous waterfall waiting for the moon to peek over the rim and watching it bathe the canyon wall behind us…slowly moving down…inching closer and closer to us until it met us and we saw the moon appearing over the edge in front of us.
Truly breathtaking.
Easy Abundance.
So, what did I need to know?
“Easy” doesn’t mean “no effort.”
“Abundance” doesn’t mean “comfort.”
Witnessing the full moon come up in a reflection behind us gave me the renewed awareness that it’s the same moon no matter where we are…yet seeing it through a lens that seems to be unrivaled only makes me want to continue seeing it through different lens.
We’re all in it for different reasons…and, also…the commonality seems to be that we’re doing it.. pursuing.
Whatever “it” is.
