"Have you been to the Grand Canyon yet?" That's the question that started
it all for us back in 2011. It was on one of our visits to Vegas for an annual fishing convention where
we started chatting things up with another couple who owned their own
business within the fishing industry, the Burch duo (Dave and Karla). We hit
it off right away with these two . . . smart, hard working, irreverent and
oh so hilarious! One night at dinner together, we found out Dave worked as a
Park Ranger at the Grand Canyon straight out of college, and the Canyon was
somewhere he considered a spiritual and "holy" place ever since. He and
Karla often went back as it had become their place to reconnect, unwind,
unplug and center themselves. Dave said to both of us, "Have you been the
Grand Canyon yet? You should come with us after the tradeshow ends. Karla
and I are heading there for a few days, would love to show you guys one of
our favorite places on this planet." Kevin and I were definitely intrigued.
Our love for adventure was something we had always shared. We looked at each
other and thought, how are we going to figure out taking the time off to go?
We made a few phone calls back home, one to the film crew to see if anything
was scheduled and the other to the dog sitter . . . ultimately we made it
happen.
I'll never forget my steps to the edge and my first look at the Canyon. It
was the same for both Kevin and me, simultaneously - Silence. Breathtaking.
Overwhelming. Tears. (in that order) What an incredible and humbling site to
behold. We were hooked. It was from that moment on that the Burch's and the
McCabe's forged an unspoken and kindred friendship. Little did we know, we
would travel the country, explore unapologetically, learn unconditionally,
laugh until our faces hurt, cry from the immense beauty of it all, and heal
for years to come.
Oh, and what did I make for dinner that night around camp in the Grand
Canyon episode "Speck of Dust"? I made my
Chili-stuffed sweet potatoes. Here's a tip for ya . . . I pre-make my spaghetti sauce, chili and soups
at home before hitting the road. I freeze them flat in plastic freezer bags
so when they're solid, they take up less space in my RV freezer, and they
thaw quicker.
