During Easter, I was privileged enough to visit family in Sedona, Arizona. Being my first trip to the SW of the USA, I had no clue what a different world it was out there! The climate is dry, incredibly hot, and there is a massive drought and thus, an increased fire risk going on in that area extending into surrounding states, such as Nevada, and California. On Easter Sunday, we visited Bryce Canyon and the Navajo Reservation. It was absolutely breathtaking. The indigenous people, the Native Americans, were some of the kindest, most hard working, and grateful people I have ever encountered. I was so blessed to not only get to visit with them that day, but also see their original pueblo cliff dwellings near Camp Verde, and also at Montezuma's Castle.
What I was not prepared for, however, was the absolute 'in your face' emergency state that this region's climate is in. The drought had extended for so long that is was now causing several species of fauna and cacti, one being the oldest, and most cherished Saguaro, to die. Additionally, the increase in fires has destroyed so much of this beautiful state. This region needs rain, and they needed it yesterday. On Easter Sunday, we later learned that the area we had been driving through and admiring, was the start of one of the largest Arizona wildfires, named the Tunnel Fire. Later in the week, I met a Navajo medicine man who was kind enough to not only explain to me different natural remedies to help my type 1 diabetic son, but also do a traditional blessing for him. It was also then that I learned the reservation was in the fires path. We must do something as a people, a country, a world- we must open our eyes to the way that our world is changing and hurting, based on our choices, and actions. Together, awareness will make a dent towards a difference.
I did thoroughly enjoy my trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, where I enjoyed seeing their newest Chihuly installation. Arizona was gorgeous and so varied in landscape. I truly hope you get to see this state sooner versus later.
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