Solo Traveller

Chapter 4

Ah, here it is, Arizona.
I got here about 6:00 pm.

I drove to a gasoline station.i
"Excuse me sir, is this Pheonix?" I asked the gasboy
"Oh, no ma'am, this is Wickenburg." He answered
"To get to Pheonix, just take this road and go down there until you see the 'Pheonix' sign." He added
"Thanks" I said while closing the car door.

"There it is, Pheonix." I said reading the sign.
I easily found Payton's house since their village is by the road I took.
Their house is on the fourth block, number 19.

I knocked on their bright red door and someone opened it quickly, Payton.
"Hi Payton." I greeted
"Umm, hi Aria. You're early." She said
"Sorry, because tomorrow, I'll hike here and like 4:00 am the day after that, I will leave for Hawaii." I apologized
"It's alright, please come in." She offered.
We sat at their couch while we had coffee

"Umm, can I ask a favor?" I asked, breaking the silence
"Sure, what is it?" She said
"Can I leave my car here until I come back for maybe a week?" I asked
"Sure, it'll be safe and sound here." She answered
"Thanks!" I exclaimed
"No prob. BTW, you need me to come with you hik-" she said
"It's okay but I prefer to be alone, because this is my project. But if you would like, it's fine." I said cutting her statement
"No, okay with me, I just wondered if you would like." She said, understanding me

We ate dinner, she showed me my room and I went to bed by 8:00. I set my alarm clock for 7:30 am so I can leave by 8 in the morning.

"Prrrrriiiiiiiing!" The sound of the alarm echoed through my ears.
I took a bath and I just wore ripped skinny jeans, a white sweater, my blue Keds and a beanie.
I placed a DSLR, my digicam and money into my backpack from Urban Outfitters, plugged my earphones to my ears, played my Spotify playlist and headed down stairs with my backpack, tripod and luggage.

I say Payton preparing coffee and chicken sandwiches
"Good Morning Aria! Want some?" She greeted
"Morning! No, thanks..." I greeted back and insisting her offer
"Psshh, no, just take this to-go." She answered handing me a sandwich and coffee in a styrocup
"Thanks so much! I'll be back by 6:00." I said as I wave goodbye heading out the door.

I placed my luggage at the backseat and drove to Colorado River for about 30 minutes to see the Grand Canyon.
When I reached there, I started setting up, I unpacked the tripod, attached the DSLR, grabbed my backpack and headed went out of the car.
Gosh. I knew I shouldn't have to come here on a Sunday. The entrance to the Grand Canyon Skywalk is filled with people, I stepped out of the line and climbed a big rock that I saw.

Wow. The view here is describable with one word. Breathtaking. The Grand Canyon with the rock mountains of Arizona as a backgroung is simply breathtaking. I took lots of shots of the scenic place, until I realized the line was cut shorter. I slepped back to the line and it only took 5 minutes until it's my turn.

"Ticket for one please." I asked the woman on the counter
"That would be 4.65" she answered
I gave her the excact amount as she handed me my ticket.

The skywalk has an amazing architecture,
The bridge is made of pure tempered glass and also has an amazing view.
I took few shots of the view alone and set the timer so I can get into the shot.
I took a look on the floor and underneath it is a part of the gorge, I took a picture of it, everything here is simply beautiful.

I left the place by 11 o'clock. On the way to Sedona, I drove past a Starbucks drive-thru and ordered 2 Ham & Cheese Foldovers, Vanilla Bean Scone and Bottled Brambleberry Iced Tea.

After a 20 minute drive, I finally reached the bottom of a mountain in Sedona, perfect to hike. I'm not a fan of hiking, but I want to take a picture at the peak and the road is too small for my car, and besides, hiking is a nice activity. I packed my Foldovers and Scone in my bag so if I get hungry, there it is, I also brought my water, Iced Tea and tripod.
I locked my car and started hiking

It's a nice mountain to hike because the trail is not wide enough for my car, yet pretty safe for people and the path is not that rocky. In the middle of my walking, I heard a ring fron my bag, it's mom. I found a big rock on the inner side of the trail, sat there and answered the call.

"Mom?" I answered
"Are you ok? Where are you? What are you doing?" She asked frantically
"Mom, I'm fine. I'm in Sedona, Arizona. And I'm hiking." I answered
"Hiking? Are there people there? Is it safe?" She asked with a higher pitched voice
"Yes. Alot, mostly families taking walks. Of course mom, Safe and sound." I said calmly
"Ok, well then, call me if you need me, alright?" She said
"Sure mom." I said ending the call

I continued walking, It's not long until I reached the peak.
Oh my goshh, it's seriously so beautiful, I think I'm going to cry.
I ate my Foldovers and Scone and sipped my Iced Tea, I stayed there, staring at the scenery antil the skies turn orange
5:30, good thing my camera is ready, I took a picture of the beautiful scene with the magnificent orange skies.
After that I packed and moved.
On the way down, I found tons of solo travelers like me, I guess solo travelers are used to silence, not talking to anyone.
I reached my car around 6, I drove from Sedona, back to Pheonix.

I reached Payton's house around 8, had broccoli casserole and slept around 8:30, I set my alarm for 3:45. It was such a tiring day.

Author's note:
Suggestions:
Secretly Loving You by Purple_Kitkat
In The Lonley Hour by Purple_Kitkat
*in Filipino ^^^
Dreamboat by danimoon
Dé ja vu by danimoon
*in English ^^^