A Birthday Surprise

At 1:00 PM on my birthday the Dr walked in my kitchen with a dozen beautiful pink roses in his arms and his signature smile on his face.  I thought he was just home for lunch, but oh no, he was home for the day!

He whisked me away on a surprise adventure.  As we drove across the desert towards Vegas,  I thought maybe he had gotten tickets to one of the shows.

But when we pulled up to the Boulder City, NV airport, I knew we weren't going to a show.   I saw a lot of vans advertising sky diving in the parking lot.  I told the Dr I was NOT skydiving!

Turns out he had booked a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon.  I thought for sure I wouldn't live to turn a year older.  Turns out, I made it out alive, and the ride was beautiful from the air.

I have flown over the Grand Canyon several times.  When the Dr was my handsome finance, some 15 years ago,  I would watch the morning sun come up over the canyon about every two weeks, on an early morning SWA flight.  We were engaged for 6 months and living in different cities.  I commuted to Phoenix to see him as often as I could.

Being so low in a helicopter was a totally different experience. 

Here is the Pat Tillman memorial bypass bridge by the Hoover dam.   The Pilot talked a lot about how Lake Mead is 150 feet low!

This is where the Colorado River empties into Lake Mead. 

That is very worrisome to me.  A large portion of the lake is dried up.  It's as low as when they first started filling it in the 1930's.  (via the Pilot)

 The Grand Canyon was as majestic as ever.  Riding in our helicopter  with us was a dad and his teenage daughter. They had come all the way from Iceland to see the Canyon.  They were sweltering in the desert heat, but loved the canyon.  Made me think about how fortunate I am to love so close.  

We flew down in the Canyon for a little bit.  Where the Canyon is owned by the Havasupai Native American Tribe, Choppers are allowed to enter.  The rest is federally regulated and not allowed.

My hope and wish was to get this beautiful Lion fountain delivered to my front porch from Lomelli"s Yard and Garden Statue shop located on the famous Route 66. 

And sure enough, it showed up!!!

It was a happy, fun day.  I love the Dr more each year, and my kids just add to my delight and joy.  Here's to another year in sunny AZ!