Day 13 - July 9, 2013

Day 13 - July 9, 2013

Temperature 96

Sedona, Arizona

The Sedona Real – the Vortex of Vomit.

I did tons of laundry this morning – a lot of clothes were wasted.  Yuck.  Rich took the kids to breakfast and gingerly fed them.  All appeared to be well, so we were hopeful that we’d be able to go on the Jeep/Hummer tour that we’d booked – months ago.

Yeah – not so much.   Poor Cammy could not get off the toilet.  I elected to stay home with him, as the Hummer was something I knew Rich wanted to do.  But he insisted that he really needed to get some work done, so off I went with the older three.

The jeep (Hummer) ride, in my opinion, was okay.  The ride was very rough and I was often queasy.  The views however, were amazing.  The tour guide was knowledgeable, but he was also cheesy.

We got back to the hotel and I wanted to rescue Rich.  He said Cammy was still down and out, but the medicine was working because he hadn’t vomited at all.  Hunter said his stomach, was better, but not 100%, so he didn’t want lunch.  Rich suggested I go do my thing and come back in an hour, so we could do lunch.

My thing was a visit to a mystical center.  I know, I know.  But a few months ago, one of the books I reviewed took place at a Spiritual Retreat and I was intrigued by all the references to auras and charkas.   I wanted to find out the color of my aura.  They also had psychics and asked if I wanted to meet with one.  Hell no!  Too scared.  Anyhow, I did have my aura analyzed and charkas read and it was very interesting.  Too much to reveal, but perhaps I will do a blog on it one day.

After returning to the hotel, Jeff, Rich, Bear and I went out in search of lunch, while Jan held down the fort.  Upon entering the restaurant, we were overcome with a very unpleasant smell.  I thought it smelled like Indian food, the guys thought it was something sour or stale.  Whatever it was, Bear started to gag, literally.  Uh – oh.  We immediately took him outside.  To be honest, he didn’t look well.  I was certain it was just the smell and kept insisting he’d be alright.  I must point out, that Barrett said he wanted lunch, which is why we brought him.  I’m declaring temporary insanity, I really am, because I don’t know why, but I really wanted this lunch to happen.  I wanted to believe he was better – heck, he survived two hours of being jostled around on the Hummer tour.  So I stupidly walked back into that restaurant, taking him with me.  I was going to prove (really?) to Rich that he was fine. 

We sat down at a table and the waiter brought us menus.  I indicated that we’d need two more.  “Great,” he said with a smile.  Then…wait for it…Barrett threw up all over the table and himself, just as Jeff and Rich decided to make their appearance.   Then Barrett stood up and threw up all over the floor, prompting Rich and Jeff to turn around and leave.  I shamefully apologized to the waiter who was going to have to clean it up and slowly, with my tail tucked between  my legs, escorted my obviously still sick child out to the parking lot.  Then mania set in – I literally couldn’t stop laughing.  WTH?!?!?!!  Seriously?  Haven’t we had enough?

When we got back to the room, Barrett and Camden jockeyed for the toilet.  I cried.  And cried.  That was the low point.  Rich and Jan both tried to relieve me, begged me to go shopping or something, but I just wanted everyone to leave me alone.  That’s when I decided I’m going home when Rich flies out on Friday.  I’m buying a box of depends (for the children) and I am not going to stop until I get to Ryan’s Bluff.

DONE!

Quote of the day – you do not want to know!

Post Script – Written on Day 14 – things may, may be getting better.  Going to take it one day at a time.

 

Off we go.

 

Amazing views.

 

7000 feet above!

 

Day 12 - July 8, 2013

Day 12 – July 8, 2013

Grand Canyon – Sedona, AZ

126 miles/ 2 hours

Temperature 100

The Sedona Real, Room 224

We got up really early because let’s face it, as beautiful as the canyon is, we wanted to get the hell out of Dodge.  It was time to put some distance between us and the foul smell of illness.  We loaded the car, said goodbye to the GC and finally got our family photo.  We were southbound and down by 7a.m.   Before leaving, Audrey tried to wake  the Cochrans, but they weren’t up (they called us about 8:30, wondering where we were).

Once we exited I40, it was through the mountains to get to Sedona – and it was gorgeous!!!  Wow!  Hairpin turns with jaw dropping views everywhere.  In no time, we were on the main drag in Sedona, where Rich and I promptly fell in love.  Cute little shops, restaurants and art galleries everywhere.  The city ordinances obviously have strict building codes, because everything had the cool adobe/Arizona dessert vibe.  Very clean and very manicured.  Even the McDonald’s fell into line – the golden Arches were a tranquil green.  We got to our hotel and the room wasn’t ready – the curse of hitting the road early.  I got some maps from the Concierge and we began our exploration.

I was overly confident that everyone was on the mend.   Our first stop was one of the four vortexes that exist in Sedona.  Sedona is the unofficial capitol for the metaphysical/mystical/new age believers.  I say, when in Rome…so I wanted to climb to the top of a vortex and absorb the earth’s positive heat energy, find my spiritual balance and reap the beneficial healing powers that the vortexes supposedly possess.  Truthfully, my primary desire was to see if it would help Bear, but I was also hopeful that the supposed healing powers would produce a full recovery for all!  Please universe, please.

This particular vortex was a tall mound of rocks, as opposed to the mountainous size of the three others, so it was a totally doable climb – even if I had to carry Cammy, while listening to Barrett moan and Audrey whine about how she was scared of heights.  I was on a mission.  Let me tell you, the view was totally worth it!  I was kind of expecting a physical sign of this mystical vortex.  Apparently you’re supposed to feel it, not see it.  We hung out for a few minutes, but the chorus of complaints regarding the heat and the climb back down, did little to help me achieve balance. So down we went.

Then we drove over to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which is a Catholic church that's located on the side of a mountain.  The chapel itself is very small, but it is magnificent.  Audrey and I knelt and said our prayers, which were a little emotional.  We also lit candles for Edmund, Mimi & Karen.

After seeking peace in ways both metaphysical and traditional, it was Rich’s turn to find balance.  I agreed to buy him lunch.  That was when my faith was once again tested.  Camden had to make two mad dashes to the restroom during lunch, to evacuate his system.  How he has anything left, I do not know.  Neither Hunter or Barrett ate their lunch…

Finally, we were able to check in and it all went to Hell - again.  The three boys are down for the count.  Audrey hung out with her cousins by the pool.  I offered Cammy a drink of water, which he wanted, but then he threw up, two seconds later.  That’s it, I was officially freaked out.  I loaded him in the car, along with Hunter, who was sick again, and drove to the Urgent Care.  I described to the doctor the last three days of torture that all four kids had experienced and he declared that they’d been hit by a vicious gastro-intestinal virus, which can often last for days.  Wonderful.  Since Hunter wasn’t throwing up, the doctor said he’d just have to ride it out.  Given Cammy’s age, size and the frequency of his vomiting, he gave me some anti-nausea medication and advised lots of fluids.  Oh - and he wished me luck.

Later in the evening, after Cammy and Bear fell asleep, Hunter and Susannah watched over them, while I joined Jeff and Rich for dinner next door.  Audrey opted to sleep with the Cochrans.  Can’t say I blame her.

Quotes of the Day:

According to Rich, it was Allie:  “Don’t do anything above your pay grade.”  What I jokingly said to Rich, as he brought all the luggage from the hotel room, down to the car.  I’m in charge of loading the car – I’ve got a system !

Hunter, as we pulled into Sedona:  “Nice town, blue skies, sunshine – now that’s my kind of day!”

 

 

 

 

 

Red Rocks!

 

 

At the top of the Vortex

 

 

Aud lighting memorial candles.

 

 

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Back on the horse again!

Sorry for my pity party...I was at an all time low:(!

Catching up on posts!

Waving the white flag!

The boys are stick sick. IT's terrible and disgusting.  I'm done - truly.
.
Nothing to blog about, seriously...it's so terrible.

Waving the White Flag!

We are in Sedona - the boys are still sick and it's miserable.

Don't feel like blogging about it - sorry!

Day 11 - July 7, 2013

Day 11 – July 7, 2103

The Grand Canyon

Temperature – a pleasant 86!

Well, I’m still manning the sick bay here at the GC.  Audrey has rebounded, but the three boys are still feeling rough.  I feel horrible, they really only saw the canyon for 2 minutes! 

The Cochran Clan went off on a walk in the morning.  Rich hung with me for a while, but then he needed some air and  went for a hike.  When he came back, Hunter was well enough to eat (or so we thought) and Rich took him for a bite.  Poor kid paid for it later.

Then it was my turn for fresh air.  I opted to take the trail into the canyon, since that’s always been on my bucket list.  I was going down, down, down, which I naively thought that was okay.  I was lost in thoughts and the views and kept going.  Then I noticed the people I passed, who were on their way back up, didn’t look so good.  Glancing at my watch, I realized I’d been gone for almost an hour and turned around.  I’d taken a Five Hour Energy thing that Jan gave me because I was exhausted from being Florence Nightingale.  Well, shortly into my assent, my heart was racing and I was out of breath.  The trail was seriously STEEP.  I was somewhat nervous, to be honest, because I was running low on water.  At one point I was shaky and a little dizzy, so I sat down.  Something came over me.  I was feeling sorry for myself, because the hike was harder than I thought.  I’m mad that I’m getting old.  I also had an emotional Eat Pray Love moment about my brother, which I won’t dare get into - TMI.  As these thoughts consumed me, I could see a big rain storm move in (which was beautiful).    Then there was lightening, which was apropos.  Time to get moving!

It took me just over an hour to get back up.  I was exhausted.  So very tired.  Phew.  I was happy to discover, up on my return, that Audrey was up and out with her cousins.  I took a shower and got ready, for what I didn’t know, because Cammy and Bear didn’t look good.  Jan & Jeff took Audrey with them for a sunset tour of the canyon (by bus). 

Hunter was feeling much better.  Thank goodness.  So Rich and I took a walk to the El Tovar for a drink and some appetizers.  Then we sat on the rim wall to just awe at the vista.  It really is astounding.  The peaks in the distance, with their muted colors, looked like a painted backdrop to the striking vividness of the peaks and valley that were close to us.  If you stare at it long enough, the canyon almost becomes a mirage.  The walls of the canyon, textured with the different layers and crevices and dotted with trees, almost look like a city on a hill.  All you need is twinkling lights.

We encountered a number of elk on the Lodge’s lawn when we returned.  I relieved Hunter so he could explore with Rich.  Then the Cochrans returned and we all gathered on the “veranda” (the hallway outside our adjoining rooms).  The events of the last two days caught up for me and my bed was soon calling.  I took the children with me and Rich joined me, after Jan and Jeff decided to go for a drink at the El Tovar.  A nice ending to the Grand Canyon Adventure.  Praying for a full recovery for everyone tomorrow!

Quote of the Day:

Rich:  "Sorry honey, they need me in Kentucky, they just called.  It's an emergency, I'm even willing to get back on a propeller plane, to get there."  Ha, Ha!  He was desperate to escape!

 

In my Haz-met Suit

 

 

Sick Babies

 

 

The healthy family

 

 

Hike views

 

The rain moving - awesome!

 

The elk

 

Late night party on the veranda!

Day 10 - July 6, 2013

Day 10 – July 6, 2013

Phoenix, AZ – The Grand Canyon

225 miles/  3 ½ hours

Temperature

The Thunder Bird Lodge

We were planning a 7a.m. departure and almost made it – almost.  About 6:45, Camden started vomiting.  We cleaned him up, got water in him.  He said he felt better and he looked okay.  I dressed him and we started loading the car.  Then he vomited again – on the couch, the floor and himself.  Into the shower he went, as I continued load the car and Rich worked on cleaning up.

Everyone was in the car ready to go at 7:30.  Two stops – ice and coffee – then, yep, Hunter started vomiting!  OH dear Lord.  Back to Walgreens for vomit bags.  Audrey started moaning that her stomach doesn’t feel good.  I put on my big girl pants, cause it seemed that things might get ugly.

And they did!  At approximately 10 a.m. we stopped for a restroom break and Audrey tossed her cookies in the parking lot.  All I could do was laugh – hysterically!   Good God.  What a mess.

Side bar:  We drove through the cutest little town, Williams, AZ.  Apparently the original Route 66 ran right through downtown.  Very cute.

We got to the Canyon about 11:30, of course the rooms weren’t ready.  So we decided to park and go see the sites.  Rich and I were so excited, but things were not looking good in the back of the car.  Cammy said he felt better, but the other two, not so much.  Bear was starting to look green.  It took us 45 minutes of circling to find a spot!  Seriously.  Finally we scored, and walked to the rim of the canyon…

As beautiful as I remember, pictures do not even come close to doing it justice.  Trust me, you have to actually SEE it to understand the majesty of the site.  Wow.  I loved watching Rich’s reaction, as well.  He loves this stuff.  Unfortunately, the chickadees couldn’t have cared less.  They literally dropped to the ground, in exhaustion, looking absolutely miserable.  Poor Hunter was on the verge of tears.  I don’t know if this is a bug or food poisoning?

Hunter had to use the restroom, so I walked him back to the Thunderbird, and also checked on our rooms.  Two of the three were ready.  Yay!  I put Hunter to bed and then went and got Rich and the other three.  At this point, the skies were looking very ominous.  We drove back to the hotel, HATING that we had to sacrifice our parking spot.  There were no other options, as we had too many bags and we were too far away - plus it was starting to rain.  The dark skies were spooky and the air was kicking up, with the temperature dropping.

We pulled up front and unloaded quickly.  Adding to the hassle – there were no luggage carts and no elevator (we’re on the second floor).  Grrr…  Then I went in search of parking.  By the time I was back at the room, I got a text that Jeffy and gang were circling, so I went out to meet them.  I explained the heath situation, with much embarrassment, as we were sharing three rooms.  Two of their children were supposed to be sleeping in the same room with two of ours!  Yikes. 

The temperature dropped drastically.  At 4:30 it’s 61 degrees and falling!  Momma is freezing.

Things went south rather quickly.  Barrett succumbed to vomiting around  7, at which point, I threw in the towel.  Jeff & Rich had dinner at the El Tovar, Jan rescued her children and sheltered them in her room (totally don’t blame her), while I fought the good fight.

Into the night and the next morning we had more vomiting, diarrhea, soiled beds, clogged toilets, high fevers, cold baths, Tylenol administration, soiled clothes and showers for both the patients and caregiver.  Momma never told me there’d be days like these.

The hotel rooms look like a war zone.  I’m awaiting housekeeping’s arrival, so I can grease their palms and get help disinfecting the place.  As I type, I am surrounded by sleeping children.  The windows are open, and I can glance up and see a little bit of the canyon.  Just a little sliver...

Quote of the day:

Momma:  “May Day!  May Day!”  As I looked on in horror, when one of the toilets clogged and started to back up.

 

In the car, on our way:(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poor kids

 

 

 

The El Tovar Hotel (not staying there, but I did with my family the summer of 1980)

 

The Cochran Clan