Grand Canyon 2.0

We didn't get enough of this place 5 weeks ago so we decided to go back! This trip back to the canyon was about some "unfinished business". While we hiked rim to rim 5 weeks ago, Aaron was going to hike from the north rim to the south rim back to the north. (42 miles of insanity that I in no way, shape or form want to experience) He didn't get enough sleep last time and didn't finish. My sister-in-law Ricci called him 2 days after our hike and said, "Let's go back next month and do rim to rim to rim!"

I dropped them off on the south side at 4 am and they made it back out at 9 pm. 17 hours! Just plain awesome!

While they were hiking, the kids and I did the tourist stuff

 



we saw lots of elk...

Can you see that patch of green trees? That's Phantom Ranch at the bottom

An nyoung ha seh yo to my Korean peeps! I swear half of South Korea was there on Saturday and my translater was down in the canyon... 

us minus Braden...

What happened to the days when you let me take your picture without the attitude?!

Hes and his coyote Randall (named after Randall from Monsters Inc...kids are funny!)

Paigey

P&H did the Jr. Ranger program that day. They are getting sworn in...

The wingspan of a California Condor

Heston took a little nap during the movie

Official Jr. Rangers!

all 3 kids!!

We were walking out of our hotel and I'm telling Heston to keep walking and he says, "Um no Mom". I look up and this elk is standing right in front of us!

rim to rim 2011

So, it's been a week and I can finally walk. Hooray! I was sore for a couple of days however it was the blisters I got this time that have made for a tough recovery. 

All is well though.

That canyon is just spectacular. Pictures just don't do it justice...

The sunrise is my favorite part of the hike....

and the end of the hike is nice too! :)

It was like being in labor near the end :) It took us 12 hours.  



I had nightmares about these logs...everytime you turn a corner, there they are...

{I used the Away we go kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs for this page}

I deeply {heart} this place

Today, I'm going to achieve one of my lifelong goals. I'm beyond excited!

I'm hiking from the south to the north rim of the Grand Canyon today.

With the love o' my life,

 my little brother who is a good sport,

and my sis-in-law that I adore and who is the most hard core woman I've ever met. (Happy Birthday R!)

Hiking this canyon is such a unique experience. It's physically challenging and it overwhelms me spiritually.

Looking forward to sharing more with you later!

going vertical

Thank you Janet Phillips for your time-saving 2 page templates! Another fun thing to do with a template is to switch things around so that you can create different layouts with just 1 template. I took this template and rotated it so it's vertical. I also changed a few of the photo layers. This is my first vertical 2 page layout:

Credits: 2 many photos 24 template- Janet Phillips, alphabet- Cestlavie kit by Zoe Pearn, swirls- Gabby Kit by Shabby Princess, date brush- Ali Edwards, Date Stamp- Date Bits 19- Sweet Shoppe Designs, font- Ali Edwards

Grand Canyon hike October 2010

This hike has been a goal of mine all year. Aaron has hiked the Grand Canyon every year for the past 5 years and I wanted to join him. We were going to hike from the south to the north (rim-to-rim) but our ride to get back to the south side fell through so we had to adjust our plan. (I need more prep for that hike) We started on the South Kaibab trail, hiked down to the bottom and over to Phantom Ranch and then back up Bright Angel trail. The hike was 17 miles and it took us almost 11 hours to complete. It was fun and exhausting and I can't wait to do it again. I loved hiking it with Aaron.

South Rim

the little mules. They're cute and all until you have to dodge their poop and pee puddles all the way up the trail...
The metal bridge. This was the worst part of the hike for me...

I would have been fine if I couldn't see down to the river and the grates weren't clanking around...that was just too much for me. But...I crossed it :)
Phantom Ranch. This is bottom of the canyon.
At Phantom Ranch, they have a little tiny house where you can eat and buy a few things. They also have cabins that you can stay in. Everything has to be brought down by mules, that's why it's so expensive. We bought a postcard for the kids and the mules carry them up in that leather satchel.
Aaron on the other bridge. I liked this bridge, it had a solid bottom.

switchbacks going down the South Kaibab.

This was at the beginning of the hike. I wish I had a video of this picture. The way the clouds were moving and sun would peek through at different times...it was beautiful...
This is at the top of Bright Angel. The group of trees is called Indian Gardens. We were thankful for the clouds and cool weather that day.

Thanks A! Love you

Grand Canyon hike

Last weekend was a much needed getaway for me. I went with a group of women (from my former ward, some of them close friends of mine) to the south rim of the Grand Canyon to hike the Bright Angel trail. Honestly, it was one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had.

We left Friday morning for Flagstaff. When we got there, we all went downtown for some shopping, food and entertainment. The city was having a youth festival with all kinds of dancing and music. We stayed at a hotel and drove to the GC the next morning. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. The trail was a total of 6 miles and I loved every step of it.

On our journey, I couldn't help but think of analogies a person can come up with while hiking in that canyon. You look down and see how far it is and you begin to question whether you can actually do it. It's possible, with some preparation...you just have to put one step in front of the other. I was also thinking about how life is a lot like this trail we hiked...


It has it's ups and downs, it's rocky in places and flat in others. Also like life, it's important to stop, look around and see how far you've come and really enjoy the scenery. The views there...the pictures just don't do it justice...
We made it! me, Cheryl and Ardie

Kym and I. This whole trip was planned a year ago by her. I'm so grateful to call her my friend.
This was taken before the hike. You can tell because we're all excited and have tons of energy. Some women hiked part of the way and some of us hiked more.

me right before the hike. I brought my new little point and shoot camera so I wouldn't have to haul my big one around. It worked out great.

Thank you to Nuskin, the company I used to work for. That free backpack has served Aaron and I well over the years. ;)

Our Grand Canyon adventure

I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging lately. The last 2 weekends we've been gone and I'm just trying to catch up on some things. Last weekend (October 9-11) we joined Aaron on a trip to the Grand Canyon. He usually goes with some friends and hikes every year...this year we decided to go with him. He hiked from the South to the North Rim along the Kaibab trail. We stayed at a lodge on the South side the first night and then the kids and I drove around to the North Rim to meet him. It took us about 4 hours but we really enjoyed it. I'm one of those people who like to stop and get out of the car, take pictures and just enjoy the drive and that's what we did. We stopped at every lookout and just enjoyed the scenery. We can't wait to go back!

Us at the North Rim

the boys

North Rim
can you believe this?!
Moran Point- South rim
Grandview Point- South rim
this is inside the Grand Canyon lodge on the North rim. This is the only hotel on the North side. The seats are facing these huge windows that overlook the canyon. This place was built in the 1930s...I loved it! They just don't build things like they used to! the lodge from a lookout point
I took this right outside our room. Those little black and white squirrels are called Kaibab squirrels and the only place they're found is on the North rim.

Bison on the North rim...sorry you can't see them very well. Someday I'll get a zoom lens...someday...

Aaron at the North Kaibab trail after his hike. 22 miles...he said the last 4 were brutal. I'll take his word for it

the Watch Tower- South rim

the little munchkins

on the way there, we saw this Fred Flintstone RV park and thought we'd stop. My kids only know who this is because they take Flintstone vitamins. They've never seen the cartoons, how sad it that?!

If you're wondering what Yabba Dabba Do means...the mystery has been solved