Family Travel and Autism

We spent the night for free at the campground in Canyon de Chelly.  I honestly did not know what to expect, but it was not what we found.  Located right next door to the hotel and just down the hill (a short walk/long drive) from the visitors center, we found a large, well kept campground.  Our site was flat and next to the bathroom.  Of course there were no showers but we had become used to the smell.

A short drive the next morning I noticed that the desert was become more - desert like.  The day grew hotter, the land flatter and the trees fewer.  By the time we entered Painted Desert National Park, the vegetation was non-existant.  Yet the hills were painted, yes, the literally looked painted, brilliant colors of pink, blue and gray.  Despite this surreal beauty, there was a real feeling of barren desolate land.

There so many programs that our head spun.  We choose a program at a nearby hotel the park had taken over.  The hotel was the home of the famous Harvey Girls.  The tour was fascinating with a peak at the old hotel rooms, kitchens and bar.  I could only marvel though at the desolate location.

During all of this, I had to be grateful for Adam's behavior.  As I always knew, when we are together as a family, his behavior is impeccable.  We are patient with him and he is calm and comfortable with us.  As we followed the Park Ranger, Adam was perfect.  For many young boys, the tour would have been boring but he stayed with us and paid marginal attention.  No behaviors. 

Thank God for little boys.