156 and Counting. Just for Michelle

Well, in 156 trips, this hasn't happened before. At the last minute, a party of four was stranded in Washington D.C. when their flight canceled. We had two couples overnighting in Grand Canyon who needed to be picked up and brought back to Flagstaff and Phoenix. One Aussie who had signed for a day tour.

Tour for one!

Here's Michelle on "Tour Private" :

This 27 year old Aussie girl has never been out of Queensland. God bless her, she's a purchasing agent for a company that makes Australian Breakfast Cereal. God bless her, two years into a divorce after a tragic five year relatioship! God bless her, she decided to - just spend the money "On Holiday" - for sanity's sake. God bless her, I was glad to be with her.

Michelle in Sedona: ( the blue sky IS that blue) She didn't want to be in the photo - as she thought (like all girls do) that her own appearance would wreck the shot. I told her what I tell all young people who don't want to have their pictures taken, "tough, get in the picture".

She needed a "confessor", a "mentor", a "friend". She needed permission to get past her relationship and take care of herself.

By the time we got to Sedona, I was her Dad because she needed one and I'm everyone's dad.

I didn't have a good dad - so I became a good dad. I'm the dad every kid wishes they had.

By the time we got to got to Sedona, the itinerary was out the door. Michelle could have anything she wanted. She wanted to talk to "Real Navajo" spiritualists to help her "think". AND - on this bus, she could have it.

I took her to a Navajo & Hopi jeweler in Sedona -- even though I had to bang on the door to get her to open early. Michelle wanted a simple silver and turquoise bracelet ($10) and a ring with the Hopi "Bear" symbol ( strength, power, and healthy mind) ($35) --- and, she could have it.

Then we went to the Sedona Arts Center ( http://www.sedonaartscenter.com/ ) because Michelle wanted to see what local artists produced. She bought a pair of glass fired earrings ($25) because she wanted them - and she could have them.

There are times in life when two people are simply "meant" to spend time together. Evidently, Michelle had to come across the ocean to find someone who would say, "Whatever helps, dear".

All of us have had our hearts broken, and somehow this Band of Orphans always manages to find each other, and one of us always welcomes the latest member, like Oliver Twist needed the Artful Dodger.

Then we went to

( http://www.doubleeagletrading.com/ ),

one of the few companies that actually still "trades" with native artists, because Michelle wanted a 'real" Kachina Doll - and, by God, she could have it.

Unfortunately, Australia has learned big lessons about importing non-native species, so Australians cannot carry anything made of wood, leather, or feathers through customs. We found her a metal cast Kokopelli , a Kachina Book and a Ghost Bracelet, made by Navajos who awl juniper seeds to ward off evil spirits.

By 12:30, Michelle got her first glimpse of Grand Canyon at Mather's Point:

I took all of her pictures with her own camera and then with mine - so her dad could see what I saw.

"If my kid is ever in Queensland, I expect your dad to take care of her, just like I'm taking care of his kid when she's here!"

Other tourists at a second "point" at Mather.

Look carefully to see the people in the upper-right corner. Believe me, they're there. They're right of the white limestone chip and just below the height of the ridge.

There's a person in this photo. He's almost in the center, 1/3 down from the top, on the ridge closest to me:

Michelle spent almost two hours exploring Bright Angel Trail.

I took a great nap.

At 3:30 we met Mr. and Mrs. Something from Indiana, who couldn't hear thunder, who didn't participate in the ride home, and whom we only had to endure till we got to Flagstaff and then dumped them in a discount hotel ( Pony Soldier Inn) - and whatever happened to them after that isn't my problem. (Read here, " did not tip the driver").

At 3:40 we met Karl, a retired Police Chief and State Legislator from New Hampshire, and his DAFT wife, Doris. A delightful couple. Friendly. Socially adept. Fun. (Read: they tipped the driver $30).

Michelle and I had our "Deep Discussions" earlier in the day and Karl and Doris were a perfect end to the day.

We dropped Karl and Doris off first, and Michelle got to her hotel by 9:00.

Goodbye, my dear. God bless you. Please make all your "parents" proud by becoming a good person and great parent. We love you. ---------Mom and Dad