Grand Canyon road trip mini - Galen steps up

The boys and I went on a summer road trip, the primary destination being the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with multiple stops before, and after. Night one was at the Camp A Way RV park in Nebraska, night two was at Jackson Lake State Park in Colorado. On the third day we had stopped in Colorado Springs to meet up with Randy and his son Alex, they were going to join us camping at the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Chanhassen is about 1,000 feet above sea level. Our day two arrival at Jackson Lake State Park brought us up to about 4,500 feet above sea level. Day three took us from Jackson Lake, up through Denver and Colorado Springs, and then La Veta Pass at 9,413 feet above sea level before dropping back down and up again as we arrived at the park. Near as I can determine, the visitor center, base of the dunes, and the campground are over 8,200 feet above sea level.

And it was hot. The day before, at Jackson Lake, was in the 90s. The temperatures at the Dunes exceeded 95. Bone dry, yes, sweat just disappeared, but a hot day to be playing on a huge pile of sand.

So, why the geography and weather overview? We spent a couple of hours playing on the dunes and playing in Medano Creek. Our return to the campground was late, we were all tired and hungry. I was busy getting the campsite ready when Randy pointed out that Liam wasn't feeling well. There was work, play, and eating to be had and he was curled up in a camping chair. He complaining about aches and pains he would normally ignore. Near as I could figure, his body was still trying to adjust to the heat and altitude. He was out of wack and not acting like his playful self.

However, there was work to be done. It was getting dark and we had not eaten, nor was the campsite ready for bedtime. Randy and Alex were not campers and had no idea what needed to be done, or any idea how to help. This is how the story gets to Galen. I talked with him about Liam's condition and let him know we both needed his help. At that point he went from a typical devious brother to a helpful young man. While I focused on getting dinner prep'd and cooked, he went about completing the campsite setup with Alex as his helper. He was patient in his direction, coaxing new skills into Alex's mind. He also occasionally helped getting something for Liam such as a snack, water, and blanket.

Prior to that evening Galen and Liam had had their bickering moments, it can't be escaped when driving such distances, campsites to be erected and packed away. But not on this evening. He set aside the normal brotherly, pestering behavior and let his better side shine through. He stepped up to the needs of the moment and was a terrific young man.

I was impressed with his behavior. Yep, there were going to be moments over the next week that had me wishing I had a frying pan or jail cell. But not that evening. I had seen a glimpse of the man he will become, and I was proud.

I know, the pic isn't from Dunes...