Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice!

Without much snow in the mountains for snowboarding, we headed southwest towards the desert for some late season hiking.

Together, on this the shortest day of the year, we hiked as a family amongst the ancient cliff dwellings and pondered how important this day must have been to the long gone inhabitants.

 

We took time out of the preciously short lit day to rebuild a cairn.

 

Jim and Stown overlook a deep box canyon, wondering how much has changed since the last civilization decided to take up residence here.

 

 We found mountain lion tracks.

 

We found rodent tracks.

 

 Doug and Aspen compared their feet to the footprint of a mountain lion.

Sizable difference, they concluded.

 

Stown explored the nooks and crannies of the canyon walls.

 

We stopped for a late lunch, perched up in the pockets of a cliff.

 

Shortly after lunch, the weather started to change.  A wind picked up and cloud cover masked the sky.  We picked up our pace heading back towards the car.  We got to the car and drove home, arriving just before dark and the first signs of snow.  To conclude the day, we indulged in big plates of roast and roots that had been simmering in the crock pot all day.  We exchanged gifts and called it an early night.  Stown headed home and Jim and I headed to bed.  Slumber comes early on these long cold winter nights, perhaps because we are so rushed to make the most of the short days.  Maybe because we burn so much more energy while working outside to stay warm in the cold.  Either way, I am cherishing this time of year to recharge my physical batteries.

 

Now, the days are getting longer - if only by a minute or two.  Soon it will be spring, then summer, then... well you know how fast the seasons and the years pass.  So, I hope you take the time needed to recharge and have the energy needed to live in love, peace and understanding. 

 

LOVE TO ALL!

 



No Shave November?! Oops!

So, last month I went to the dentist and he had some chin scruff.  I asked if it was a "Hunting Season Beard".  He replied while uncomfortably scratching his jaw,"No, it's No Shave November.  My girlfriend's making me do it".  ??  Turns out it's a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

 

Apparently, Jim and I are out of the mainstream loop because Jim choose to SHAVE in November.  After 2 years of facial hair neglect, Jim decided it was time to pull the clippers out of storage and see what his bare face looked like again.  Of course, something this monumental requires documentation:

 

 One last look at the bearded beast!

 

I don't help, just watch through the camera lens.

 

It peels off like a bad Halloween accessory.

 

 WOW!

A handful of beard and a creepy 70's style mustache...

I'm not really sure how sexy this is for me.

Hey honey, do you have any candy or drive a van?

 

 I briefly contemplate a career in the circus.

 

Now that's hot!

I haven't seen that jawline in years!

(so much more kissable...wink, wink!)

 

We realized that when Jim shaved the beard and he shaved off years of aging.  We hadn't really noticed how much grey had snuck up on his chin and how much older it made him look.  Now I feel like a cradle robber with my "new" younger looking husband!

Day Off Around the House

Fall is the time of year I usually dedicate a day off to staying home and getting the garden cleaned up and put ito bed for the winter.  Sometimes I clean the house, too!

The overflowing dining area.

Yes, under all accumilated crap, there really is a kitchen table. 

Or atleast that's the rumor - I haven't seen it in weeks.

 

WOW!

Time to move the house plants in off the back deck, too.

 

 Potato Bed - Before

 

 Potato Bed - After

Only a small crop (7 lbs) but it was an experiment this year.

 

 A "new" hoop house over the potato bed.

"New" as in used and gifted to us by a friend.

 

 A relocated and semi-protected grape tomato plant.

 

Fall lettuce sprouts in the recently turned 'tater bed.

 



My kitchen herb bed was being overrun by the tarragon.

After realizing just how little tarragon I actually use and how space consuming it was I pulled it all up.  I halved the sage bush and dug back the marjoram too.  Then I planted a ton (maybe 40?) garlic bulbs for next year.

 

The chickens enjoyed all the fresh herbs, little did they know I was trying to season them from the inside!  Ok, maybe not.  But with the shorter days, colder weather and my three layers in molt, the  egg production is pretty low.  We have wondered when the first one will end up in the soup pot.

 

Happy Fall to Ya!

Anniversary Gift

If you read the blog occasionally you would know I am a bit of a sentimental sap.  I sucker for tradition: mine or some else's.  Well, here's this year's anniversary gift.

A hand knit hat for Jim...

Complete with a ponytail hole!

 

After a little research I found out that the traditional gift for 7 years is wool and copper.  Having just learned to knit earlier this year, I thought I would try my hand at making Jim a hat.  Besides, he's always complaining that his beanies "ride up" because his ponytail gets in the way.  He wonders out loud if they make beanies with holes like baseball cap to stick his hair through.  Now I am creative but not the best at deciphering patterns.  I tend to "just figure it out."  So after a few phone calls to my Granno, the family knitter, I was on my way knitting up a storm of knots and rows that hopefully would emerge as a wearable hat for my hubby.

 

I used wool from a friend's sheep.  I attached 2 "copper" pennies (everyone knows they're not really copper anymore) - one 2007 and one 2014 (year of our wedding and year of our anniversary).  I knit 7 stripes to represent our 7 years together.  I tried it on, too big - perfect (hopefully) because Jim's head is bigger than mine.  I compared it to another beanie that he wears that seems to be the best fitting in our house.  It all seemed good.  Then I wrapped it in a brown bag labeled "Open on 3 Oct." and stuffed it in the bottom of his suitcase.  See, Jim was at his cousin's wedding in the Outer Banks for our anniversary, but I wanted him to have it on that day anyway. 

 

He loves it and it fits well!

I wonder what the traditional gifts for 8 years will bring?

 

Then & Now

 

Our Honeymoon 2007

 

Our Anniversary 2014

 

 

Well, not much has changed by the looks of it.  Jim got fuzzier on the chin and I can still fit in my favorite pink running shorts.  Our lives have evolved together, becoming as intertwined as Jim's beard hair after a windstorm.  We know things we didn't back then, about the world and each other.  But still, here we are facing new challenges and the same old routines together and with a smile.

 

Cheers to the next 7 years!

Grand Canyon - Plateau Point & Bright Angel

After leaving the Tonto Trail we stopped to enjoy lunch at Indian Garden along the Bright Angel Trail.  We  were sitting on a bench minding our own business, when suddenly the people behind us started yelling "Squirrel!  Squirrel!".  Well, we caught this fat little ball of fur trying to make off with our bag of dried fruit!  So brazen they are and used to being fed by people, it came right up behind our bench, reached up and grabbed the bag out of the pile of assorted lunch snacks we had set out.  After filling our bellies and our water bottles (the corridor trails offer potable water spigots & bathrooms along the way), we headed out another trail way had never had time to explore, Plateau Point.  This trail is an out and back (3 miles round trip) from Bright Angel to a look out over the river.  Well worth the hike!

` remember - click to enlarge pics! `

 

A panoramic to the West

 

To the East

The river is running muddy due to the recent rains

 



Looking back South to the wall that awaits our ascent out of the canyon.

 Back on Bright Angel for the long (4.9 miles +3060 ft elevation) climb out, it didn't take long for Jim to find some love and encouragement.

 

Later in the afternoon, we switch backed our way up and in and out of shade along the contours of the canyon wall.

 



The switch backing trail is so steep that you can spit down on the trail you just walked on.  Although, I don't recommend it.  However, playing shadow puppets is acceptable.

 



Jim points out a knob jutting out over the abyss, near the 3 mile water stop, where 7 years ago during our honeymoon descent we stopped for a little scenic lovin'.

It's all fun and games, unless you're afraid of heights.

 



Closer to the top, I glance back for a parting view.  As the lighting changes along with the passing clouds, the views are always different.

 



 Bright Angel Trail head

 

This is not a day hike for those not in shape.  (And no, round is not a shape!)  The elevation change is significant, like a reverse mountain climb.  Only the climb is at the end and you don't have the downhill gravitational pull to help you like on a regular up and down climb.  Consider the South Rim is at an average of 7,000 ft in elevation, that's already much higher than where most people live (what's the elevation at your house?) kind of like you're starting at the top of the mountain.  People who are fit at sea level are not necessarily fit at elevation and may experience altitude issues.  Luckily, Jim and I reside higher than this and thus experience a boost in oxygen at lower elevations.  There are signs everywhere warning people not to go down to the river and back in one day.  Jim and I stopped at the Back country Office the day before to purchase a new map and were given a wonderful sticker.  "Down is Optional - Up is Mandatory"  It is put out by the search and rescue.  People seem to think that there is some magical fairy that just plucks you out of the canyon and carries you to the top if you get tired.  Ummm... NO!  After speaking with a ranger on Bright Angel, he explained how they do get people out.  First the tired hiker gets to stay the night in the canyon, not in a cabin or tent, just where ever they happen to be when they decide they have to stop for the night.  Then they get to try again, the next day.  If they insist on being "rescued", fine, the park service will send a mule down to carry them to the top - to the tune of a $300 bill!!  Mule rides aren't free, even for those who need to be "rescued".  Note I say "rescued", because if there was actual medical emergency (life threatening) they would helicopter you out - Who knows how much that bill would be!  So again, I stress this hike is not for the out of shape.

 

When we started the morning, I overheard an experienced hiker tell a first timer, "On the way out, you know you're getting close to the top when you start seeing fat people and children."  True that!  I noticed what I like to call the "Fashion Strata".  It's similar to the geological strata layers of rock you see along the canyon walls, changing with elevation.  It seems to start at about the 1.5 mile water stop, people in khakis, polo shirts and spiffy new white tennis shoes.  As you climb up (closer to the trail head), you might see teenagers in Chuck Taylor's with no socks (UGH!  Imagine the dust rubbed blisters?!) or perhaps a well dressed man in Penny Loafers.  Even closer yet, you are guaranteed to see ladies in dresses, glittery sandals (sometimes even heels!), fancy handbags and name brand labels on nearly everything.  See, as you reaching for the top and your legs are wobbly and your spirit is diminishing, the entertainment factor starts to climb, lifting your inner laughter and drowning out the aches and pains that may be ailing you.

 

But hey, at least even these people are making an effort to something wonderful and majestic instead of sitting in front of the television. (Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of texting, selfies and other annoying techno crap to be seen.)  As for us, we shut down the technology for the day, tuned out and dropped in - the canyon that is! 

 

Hope you have an opportunity to escape soon,

even if it's just for the afternoon!



Grand Canyon - Tonto Trail

After 4.3 miles of leap frogging other hikers, we reached The Tipoff and turned West.  Leaving the freeway known as South Kiabab, we embarked onto a single track trail that would traverse the south wall of the canyon along a plateau averaging 3,800ft in elevation.  We would follow this trail to the next freeway, Bright Angel, 4.5 miles away.

 

*Click on photos to enlarge*

 Looking West - Can you find the trail?

 

A whole new environment. 

Hotter and more arid, trees were few and far between the scrubby little shrubs.

 



Off in the distance we spied a huge cottonwood tree.  Knowing they symbolize water in the desert, we were excited.

 

Burro Spring

But we never expected this!  Holy Oasis!

Gingerly, Jim steps from rock to rock to avoid soaking his shoes in the boggy mess below.

 



Damsel Fly

What a delight of color and diversity to find in the depths of the canyon.

Pipe Spring

A bit further down the trail we came across another spring.  This one had a wider bed and was actually running.  There were more trees and large rocks offering us a comfortable place to rest and eat.

 



The trail follows the contour of the south wall, going in and out of box canyons.  A new perspective of the South Rim's Yavapai Point.

One of the original telephone line poles installed across the canyon a 100 years ago.  Comprised of galvanized pipe and glass insulators, they are still standing and have the wires strung between them.

 



Jim saying good bye to the trail...

and the peace and quiet.

 

While we were enjoying the Tonto trail, never saw another hiker.  We picked up a few bits of trash but never encountered another person (or mule).  It was a beautiful experience in Desert Solitaire.

 

But wait there's more!

We still have to climb OUT of here!

Check back for the final ascent...

Grand Canyon - South Kiabab Trail

Jim and I are coming up on our 7th anniversary.  When we got married we honeymooned at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Since then we have gone back to celebrate our anniversary somewhere in the park.  This year I got a three day weekend (albeit a few weeks before than our anniversary), so we decided to celebrate early.  I scored a cancellation hotel room for Saturday night and we camped out under the stars Friday night.  On Saturday we did a 17 mile hike down into the canyon, staying along the south wall, and explored some trails we had seen signs for but never had the time to hike.  Follow us along the trail for some amazing views...

 

~ Click to enlarge photos - way worth it! ~

 

Saturday Morning Sunrise

(taken from a moving truck window)

 

South Kiabab Trail Head (parking area)

 

South Kiabab Trail Head (actual)

When asking strangers to take a picture, we tend to take a couple, who knows which ones will or  will not turn out.

 

The far off North Rim from the top of the trail.

 

 Descending...

 

 Did we mention it was crowded?

O'Neill Butte on the right.

 

At Skeleton Point we came across an artist, Joshua Been.

As it turns out we were at the park during the 6th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art.  It's a week long event featuring many artists painting "En plein air", a French expression that means "in the open air".  They were scattered across the rim and a few in the canyon, providing onlookers with a peek of creation in motion.  There were demonstrations scheduled, exhibits and of course items for sale.  After a few words with Joshua, we discovered he is a neighbor of sorts.  He hails from Salida Colorado, funny what a small world it is.

A view down and across the south wall at the trail we will be traversing on soon.

 

The steep and exposed switchbacks are constructed so beautifully.  I can't imagine being a part of the trail crew that built these trails about 100 years ago with such basic tools and crappy footwear.  I love my feet and we invest in excellent shoes for adventures such as these.  When I look at the black and white archival photos of the history of the canyon, my toes and heels cringe at the broken down old boots that adorn their feet.  Imagine the bleeding blisters!

 

South Kiabab is considered one of three corridor trails leading in/out of the bottom of the canyon.  It's well maintained and heavily travelled.  It is the shortest and steepest of the three.  Starting at 7,260 feet in elevation then dropping down to 2,480ft at the bridge that crosses the river, that's -4,780ft over a quick 7 miles.  It's like descending flights of stairs in some sections.  It is located East of the Main Village area and one must take a shuttle to get there, due to it's "out of the way" location it's less crowded (only slightly) than the other South rim trail, Bright Angel. 

 

Check back for more miles and views to come your way soon, as we start our traverse across the south wall.