We went and hiked the Grand Canyon with the Hansen's and the Baker's this past weekend. We left on Wednesday after the Region Cross Country meet (which Karlee took 6th place in). We drove until 2 am and stayed in a yoga studio in Page Arizona. We woke up early and started driving to the south rim of the grand canyon. We didn't get to the canyon until 1 in the afternoon and started hiking at about 1:30. We were supposed to hike 17 miles that first day but after 11 miles it was dark and Cindy had bad blisters on her toes so we crossed the Colorado River and stayed at a campground called Phantom Ranch. I was so tired I just got into the tent and fell asleep.
On Friday we started hiking in the morning and hiked along the river. It was flat on this part of the hike and quite peaceful. We went to a waterfall called Ribbon falls and we swam and ate lunch there. I think that was my favorite part of the whole trip. We then hiked to the Cottonwood campground and set up camp and slept there.
Saturday, we woke up early and because I wanted to get an early start we left before the Baker's and the Hansen's. This day was HARD!!! We climbed to the north rim and it was so steep. My heart started to do the pounding thing. My legs and arms were tingling and I didn't think I could make it.
Brian was so good to me. He kept encouraging me (even though I was grouchy) and he even took my pack. We eventually made it up to the top and waited until Heidi and Parker came around with the cars. We drove to Jacob's Lake and ate a hamburger which tasted oh so good and drove home stinky and yucky (no showers on the north rim). We made it home around 2 am and showered and slept in our nice bed. I am glad that I did it but I don't know if I will be doing it again. Brian is all ready planning a trip back next year to run it rim to rim in one day. CRAZY!!!
