The Grand Canyon - Now and Then

So, I am still new at this "blogging" stuff and apparently uploaded the pictures in the wrong order. I thought I could move them around but I can't... or at least can't figure out how. Being somewhat pressed for time they will stay in the order they are. All the pictures are from this year's anniversary trip with the exception of the last. Enjoy! A celebration beer and bagel at the bottom of the Grand Canyon for the birthday boy!!

The famous... huh-hem... infamous Ranger Matt. (Taken on our ascent out of the canyon.)

Love was everywhere!!! Even the prickly pear cactus was in the mood!

Sunrise from the trail on the North Rim. Yes, that's a cup 'o' tea in my hand. (gotta love the reflective gear... you know you gotta be careful with all those cars on the trail... hehe!)

Jim gearing up for the crossing of the Mighty Colorado River. Not for those who are scared of heights!! (Funny... the Colorado was named for it's RED waters, yet they appeared rather GREEN that day.)

Our Honeymoon 2007 - Starting the hike to the bottom at Bright Angel trail head on the South Rim

After one year we're still crazy about each other - or just crazy!

*** Picture taken the morning after our wedding in the San Juan Mountains 2007


WOW!! So we survived our first year of marriage. Many people have said that it is the hardest and after that married life gets easier, if this is true we are in for a cloud ride. For our honeymoon last fall we went to the Grand Canyon. We hiked down Bright Angel trail located at the South Rim and spent two wonderful nights in a cabin at Phantom Ranch located in the depths of the canyon. Upon our descent into the canyon Jim (dressed in a tan shirt and green shorts) was eagerly greeted by many women screeching "Ranger Matt!" They all seems excited and wanted to hug him; I was beginning to wonder if the man I just married had an alter ego. Meanwhile, I hiked along with my bounty. I packed down three (yes three) bottles of wine to celebrate the occasion. Little did I know the staff would have champagne on ice in our cabin when we arrived. After a night full of excitement brought on by the midnight raiding of a ring tail (who really only wanted our trail mix), we spent the second day exploring a creek recommended by the infamous Ranger Matt. (He really does exist and wears a tan shirt, green shorts and has a long ponytail..hence the confusion on the trail by weary female hikers.) We past the afternoon basking naked on the rocks sipping bubbly and enjoying the sun next to a crystal clear creek. The second night graced us with a return by our furry friend, who this time came for the imported chocolate and made a swift get away. We hiked out North Kiabab trail on the third day. Through out the canyons you can see evidence of rock slides from the years past; Jim kept commenting that "sometimes the rocks just fall." Sure enough later that day towards the end of our hike out of the canyon a rock did just that... it fell. It fell not more that 25 feet from where we were. Filling the air with dust and debris, we watched as a boulder the size of a suburban SUV crashed down wiping out the trail below. We went back to check on fellow hikers and found everyone was safe. The trail was immediately closed to mules and extreme caution issued to hikers. Safe and sound we arrived at the North Rim and washed up for dinner. Retiring to our cabin for the evening, we recapped the excitement of our trip and tried not to think about the long trip back around the canyon via a shuttle service and then the long drive home.

That was a year ago. This year for our 1st anniversary we thought it might be fun to run the ENTIRE trail from Rim to Rim in one day. Crazy? According to most, Yes!! However, like I've always said, "Crazy people have more fun!"


So, earlier this month we drove to the South Rim and caught the afternoon shuttle to the North Rim. After nearly 12 hours in cars, nothing sounded better that pizza and beers. We grabbed dinner and headed to our cabin. After eating, drinking and sorting out our gear; we set the alarm clock and retired early. Morning came all too quickly. The alarm never went off (it was set for PM not AM) but we awoke after a restless night with anticipation of our next grand adventure. We headed to the coffee bar for our morning jolt and then crammed into yet another shuttle with eager hikers. Arriving at the trail head in the still chilly darkness of the early hours, everyone set out at their own pace. Most were just going to the bottom to camp for a night or two. They were loaded down with big heavy packs thus Jim and I passed them quickly in our running attire and light day packs. We ran, skipped and hopped along singing songs and laughing down the trail. We arrived at Phantom Ranch in good time and picked up the sack lunches we had previously ordered. We rested at the bottom for about an hour and a half. We shared a Tecate beer in celebration of our anniversary (a $4 beer without lime never tasted so good!) After visiting with others at the bottom and letting our food settle we took to the trail and crossed the mighty Colorado River. It took longer to hike out than it did to hike in. We stopped along the way and chatted with other hikers and even ran it to Ranger Matt from the previous year. It was a hard trek out, a very steep trail. Yet the stunning views and encouraging company made it worth it. During the last few steep climbs, Jim serenaded me with songs like "Stairway to Heaven." Inspiring words but considering we were leaving a peaceful canyon and reentering the hustle and bustle of civilization, I felt "Stairway to Hell" might be more appropriate. We arrived at the top of the trail head just in time to sprint to the bus that would take us back to our truck. We celebrated our victory with Frenchies on the bus, despite the language barrier they seemed to understand what we had just accomplished and applauded us. We wrapped up our day with hot coin operated showers and a huge spaghetti dinner. Crawling into the tent that night, we wished each other "Happy Anniversary." Then before he could give me a kiss good night I rolled over and began snoring like a lumberjack. (I've never heard myself snore but that's what he said.)




We completed the 21 mile trek - down a mile and up a mile - in 10 hours and 40 minutes. It was worth every minute and sore muscle!! We might go back next year. We've talked of taking packs and spending four days camping around in the canyon. As for now, we are just entering our second year of marital bliss and loving each other every day of it!!

Did I do it right?

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