Passing the Baton
He was 10. We were 65 and 68. We were on a 12-day spring break camping trip to honor our grandson’s double-digit birthday: 4 states, 3 national parks, one national monument, and 2 state parks.
Three adventurers on their multi-state 2015 desert spring break camping trip: Nina, Jaden, Ann
2015 campsite with Jaden, Nina, Gracie, big tent, campfire and Rav 4, Zion National Park Campground
We picked trail names for ourselves the day we walked Zion National Park’s Virgin River wearing drysuits and booties to get through some of the deeper holes in the snow melt river. He became Captain Rock. His Nina became Major Boulder. And I took on the title of Lieutenant Dipper—after the amazing little water birds we saw on this hike.
The three river walkers: Lieutenant Dipper, Captain Rock, and Major Boulder
Jaden and Ann wading the Virgin River in Zion National Park in rented drysuits, 2015
It was a remarkable trip for all three of us and included highlights like helping Jaden earn his junior ranger badge at Grand Canyon National Park, learning to put up and take down the big tent, taking hikes with our dog Gracie (who Jaden named Scout), making campfires and studying the stars.
Scout (Gracie) and Captain Rock (Jaden) looking at the view in Kodachrome Basin State Park
Jaden being sworn in as a junior ranger in Grand Canyon National Park
Nina and Jaden studying tracks on the trail
Jaden and Ann in a quiet nature identification moment at Joshua Tree National Park
Returning to Joshua Tree
The final stop on that 2015 trip was Joshua Tree National Park. Eleven years later during spring break we returned to Joshua Tree with Jaden’s entire family: Christina and I, daughter Sally, son-in-law, Joe, and Jaden now 21 and Sasha now 15. No camping this time. Sally found an Air BnB close to the park.
Sally, Jaden, Sasha, and Joe 2026 spring break
Sally and Joe at Heart Rock, near Arch Rock
Sally and Sasha near Arch Rock
Jaden and Sasha under Arch Rock
We arrived during an unusual March heat spell with afternoon temperatures rising to 95 degrees F. (35 degrees C.). Conferring over dinner, our little family decided to hike Arch Rock Nature Trail.
Joshua Tree is a vast wilderness park in southern California where the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems meet. It is known for its Dr. Seuss-like Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia). There are warning signs everywhere about the potential for sudden and extreme changes of weather—from flash floods to snow to thunder and lightning storms to heat.
Blooming Joshua Tree with snow-capped mountains in the distance
A different outdoor adventure
We chose the Arch Rock Nature Trail from the Short Walks listing offered by the park (1.4 miles, 100 feet elevation gain), because it offered the promise of some interesting features like boulder hopping and climbing and did not seem too lengthy considering the heat forecast.
Joshua Tree National Park is a vast wilderness area known both for the Joshua trees and for its boulders
A chuckwalla lizard sunning itself on a boulder
It’s hard to get a family of young people going early in the morning. We managed to arrive at the trailhead at 10 a.m. finding one last spot in the parking lot. (Apparently most people believed park warnings about starting your hike before 9 a.m. in hot weather.) This is a section of the park that contains numerous granite rocks known for their course texture and beautiful array of shapes and sizes. Both amateur boulder hoppers and professional boulderers are drawn to the area. There were dozens of spring break families like ours with children of all ages walking along the relatively flat, sandy desert path through Joshua trees, creosote bushes, and prickly pear.
Once we entered the area of multi sized boulders, there were a maze of trails leading to the arch—all of which required stepping up and over or between boulders. Jaden and Sasha were off and scrambling. Sally and Joe stayed close to us and provided some much-needed “hand hoists”. Whether through observation of his father and mother’s helpfulness or his own innate kind nature, after a time Jaden started being the one to extend his strong hand to hoist his grannies up at different places along the trail.
Adventuring grannies, Ann and Christina, appreciating good help in boulder hopping
Sasha brought almond flour so she could make a gluten-free/sugar free banana cake for all of us.
A new rite of passage for the grannies
Eleven years ago, on his rite of passage camping trip Jaden was 4’ 8 inches tall and weighed about 80 pounds. Then we were teaching him how to make a fire, to find his way and be steady on trails, and helping him up and over river boulders. Now he is 5’10 inches tall and 160 pounds strong. We needed his help as we climbed up and over and around huge abrasive boulders. We have aged (Nina is now an octogenarian) and I have had five surgeries—knee, toe, back, wrist and hip. We three still need each other, but now in different ways. Our service to Jaden away at college is primarily as witness and listening ear. His service to us on this trip was as physical guardian.
The baton of support between us has changed and morphed, as it should over time. But the baton can only be passed when there is awareness from both sides and a willingness to step into new relationship. We had to acknowledge the need for help, and he needed to recognize that help was needed.
I probably could title this blog: Passing the Baton, Part I
Christina and I will find ourselves in this kind of role reversal more and more in the years to come with our little family. Sasha actually stepped forward on this trip and shared an important nutrition video from her health class that was educational to all three of us. Sally did all the driving and played a major decision-making role in activity choices. Joe was breakfast cook and ever present as helper and organizer. May we be gracious and willing to ask for help. And may our grandchildren and children continue their growth as strong, helpful human beings.
Both Christina and I no longer have living parents. We were very much involved in receiving the batons of responsibility (along with our siblings) from our parents. Both roles— the receiver and giver of responsibility— are critical to the smooth functioning of the ongoing march of generations.
“Smooth functioning” does not seem to be happening much in the world these days. Being gracious in our own little corners of the world in both receiving and passing the baton of responsibility, IS an important piece of activism. That thought brings me comfort and hopefulness in these times.
We took this photo in our 2015 walk through Zion National Park. Geology teaches us a timeless patience and the promise of both fragility and stability.
I live vicariously through your posts. When I get to Washington I will try to see you! You two think you’re old, which makes me chuckle. I’ll be 88 on Monday!!!
Fondly,
Fay (Richards) Geddes
3037 Villanelle Ave.
Henderson, NV 89044 (8 miles from Las Vegas)
Happy Birthday, Fay!! Your comment made me laugh. Luckily we are not old, old as incapable of doing some of the active things we treasure so much. But we never know when that moment might come. And meanwhile, hoping to model ongoing activism like you going on 88. AND, please do come see us! Blessings, Ann
Love story of passing the baton to the next generation. Thanks for sharing, Blessings, Sloane
Appreciate your response, Sloane. Ann
Loved this again! Grandmother awesomeness.
Thank you, dear Gretchen. You, too, know about grandmother awesomeness! Ann
Such treasured memories for each of you.
Yes, treasured memories for the whole family. We, of course, had Jaden read this before posting. He liked it and the concept of “passing the baton” was meaningful for him. And onward we go! Ann
What a beautiful telling of story. And learning. And love. And wisdom. And kindness. And time passing. Thank you Ann. Moved by all of it.
Sure appreciate the depth of feeling in your response, dear Tenneson. Thank you! Ann
Ann, you are a gracious reminder of the importance of both roles, receiver and passer of the baton. I will try to bless my corner of the world today. Diane
With appreciation for your kind comment, Ann
I have loved your writing since I read your book, Deep Water Passage quite a few years ago. Life has changed a lot since then, but I still paddle, and usually read the book once a year. I have gifted it to many, and they too appreciate it.
This piece also speaks to me, as I slow a little bit, and take care of my joints, one by one. My small family supports me too as I move into new territory, and I have learned to let them as they grow into their new positions. Thank you for your always timely pieces. This 75 yo keeps on keeping on! 😊
Yes, to keep on keeping on! Got back in my kayak today and paddled for the first time since my December back surgery. So good to be back in my boat and moved by the profound beauty of water and mountains and trees, almost as if doing it for the first time. Blessings, Ann
Dear Ann and Christina,
Sweet story of a lovely rite of passage for your grandson. A story that will live within him for his life. You are such wonderful teachers. Thank you for all that you have taught me about seeking the depths of myself through touching the land.
You are so welcome, Diane. Such an important time for all of us to be touching the land sand cherishing the earth. Ann
Thank you so much for sharing. Such an enjoyable read.
You are welcome, Larry. With appreciation for you as a reader. Ann
So beautiful. You always inspire me Ann. Thank you for this reminder of our grandmotherly role to pass the baton. Well done Lieutenant Skipper!
Thank you, Glenda! Just a little correction. I was Lieutenant Dipper on that trip. A dipper is the amazing little water bird found in western streams that is capable of walking under water. We saw one on our trek up the Virgin River in Zion National Park. To this day Jaden remembers what a dipper is!
Hi Ann,
Wish you would come up here again to paddle or hike.
I am busy with WILPF Canada trying to get 1,000 plus women for peace, growing garlic, appreciating the melting of the snow, though I will miss snowshoeing, so that we can kayak again.
in peace and solidarity to everyone in the US and around the world
Ellen
Thank you for writing! Always good to hear from Canadian friends! Sounds like you are more than busy. “In peace and solidarity to everyone in the US and around the world” Appreciate that, Ann
Regardless of age, your super power truly is grandmothering. Incredible memories and incredible photos. Lucky loving family.
Thank you, Jeanne. Appreciate your comments and support! Ann