A Little Story

Once upon a time there was a family of seven who liked to ride dirtbikes and 4-wheelers. So one day in early October, they loaded up their truck and trailer and struck off for St. George, Utah, 2 hours away. They spent the night in a hotel, got milkshakes and had a great time. Little did they know what the next day had in store for them. Bright and early, they were off, driving out of town a little, then hitting a dirt road bound for the Grand Canyon. It would be a 3-hour (a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour, sound familiar?), 80 mile journey never to be forgotten. The road was wash-boardy, dirty, and dusty. So dusty, in fact, that they couldn't even see their trailer behind them. After driving for a time, the dad of the family began to notice black birds flying near the vehicle. "Did you see that black bird almost hit our truck?", he shouted excitedly. But as they soon learned, they were not black birds at all, but pieces of TIRE! When the family got out of their truck to look at their trailer, this is what they discovered:

The tires were gone! Where did they go, you ask? Well, let's just say the hillsides surrounding St. George are now slightly peppered-looking.

Thank goodness they were able to laugh about it, then realize they needed to get to work. The trailer was unhooked, the truck bed emptied, and the assignments were made who would go and who would stay. Colby, with his knowledge of tires from his job at Discount Tire, was chosen to go, along with Miranda, who would be in charge of food and water. Of course, the dad had to go since he had the credit card. The rest of the crew stayed with the trailer to guard its contents. Once the dust of the truck returning to St. George had settled, those who remained realized it was QUIET. They were alone. ALL alone. Nothing but miles of rolling hills, sagebrush, and a trailer with no tires full of dirtbikes.

And it was hot. Blazing hot. The trailer provided shade and relief on one side, but some braved the sun and set up a tanning bed on the other side. Talk about making the most of any situation! This little bunch knew that since they had journeyed 1 1/2 hours out of St. George to this point, and those returning to town would have to go back 1 1/2 hours, then buy new tires and rims, then return the 1 1/2 hours back to this point, their wait would be......L.....O.....N.....G.....

Thank goodness they had food rations and a comfy place to sit.

And some were even smart enough to bring reading materials. (Way to go, Eli!) This little group passed the time by having rock-throwing contests, taking walks, telling stories, smashing ants, exploring, and talking to the occasional passers-by. Yes, 4 vehicles did pass by, 3 of which stopped to ask if they were ok. If you were in that 4th vehicle, shame on you! The mom of the family realized while sitting there that she hadn't been where it was this QUIET in a long, long time. She soaked it in. In due time the truck returned, loaded with the 4 last tires and rims of that style that the tire store had. WHEW!! And the men quickly set to work replacing them all, while the woman and children reorganized the truck bed and the supplies. Before long, they were off again. They hadn't gone far, however, when it started to rain. HARD. The kind of rain that makes you see how flash floods can occur. The dirt road quickly turned to a MUD road. The vehicles were sliding to and fro and the little family began to wonder if they would ever even make it to the Grand Canyon after all. Prayers were offered, and within minutes the rain stopped just as suddenly as it had started. It had rained just long enough to do this:

Everything was caked in mud! Back to work again cleaning mud as best they could before it dried 4 inches thick! Some in the family began to ask when the fun part was supposed to start!

It starts right now! Everyone got into their riding gear and helmets, and boarded their various vehicles and headed off down the REALLY treacherous dirt road. It wasn't a road fit for trailers, so theirs was left at this old schoolhouse, the truck locked into 4-wheel drive and driven by the mom, and off they went to a lodge about 15 miles away where they would rest for the night. The next day, it was back on the dirtbikes and 4-wheelers and off to.............THE GRAND CANYON!!!!

They actually made it!!!! Covered in dust, tired and some with headaches, but they made it!!!

The north rim is not as breathtaking as the south rim, but it was still way cool!!!! Now the whole family can say they've been to the Grand Canyon.

And they all lived happily ever after. The end.