I know I have lots of updating to do, but most of my pics are on the other computer and I need Cass to move them for me, I'll catch up asap, in the meantime, this is the latest...
I was able to take my 3 older kids to the Grand Canyon In January. My Dad mentioned how he's always wanted to hike it, so we decided to, in March. We left super early in the morning to reach the lodge in time to see if my Dad would be able to get into the bunker at Phantom Ranch (so he wouldn't have to pack down his tent & sleeping bag, etc.) He was so lucky, he was the last male to get a spot! You have to reserve a bit in advance to have a definite spot, and there was an opening for me when he called in Jan.
We took the shuttle to the Kaibab trail head and wanted to get a before picture. My Dad was trying to figure out how to use the timer on his camera, so we got a few of these shots..
we couldn't figure it out, so we took one of these ones!...
It was pretty cold and windy up on the top
the first resting point
about half-way down, we saw some California Condors, which is supposedly kind of rare! The noise their wings made as they flew over us was cool, we stood and watched them for a bit.
Our first spotting of the Colorado river
Some of the rock formations were interesting
there is a cave you have to walk thru to get to the bridge that crosses the river
the stories behind the bridges and things down at the bottom were really neat to learn about!
we made it down! I think going down was harder than going up, my Dad's poor knees were hurting him and I was worried we'd have to get a mule for hime to ride back up! Luckilly, he was fine after resting a bit and wrapping one of his knees.
the lodge at Phantom Ranch
One of the views while hiking up the next day. If you look really hard (about 3/4 from the bottom center), you can see Indian Gardens, which is about the half-way point coming up on the Bright Angel trail.
There was a stream that followed the trail part of the way up. The sound of it just made the trail even more beautiful!
Not quite half-way up. The rocks change colors and textures as you hike, it's hard to describe how pretty it all was!
The trail crosses this stream several times along the way....
another view... I should have taken one form the top- oops! We were tired and yet so excited to have finished, that we must have forgotten! We both couldn't walk for 2 days afterward! I didn't think i was that out of shape, but it was worth the soreness!
I am so glad that my Dad had this great idea, it was an awesome experience and I will do it again and agian. I think we are going to go again next Spring, hopefully more of us will be able to go then!
we couldn't figure it out, so we took one of these ones!...
It was pretty cold and windy up on the top
the first resting point
about half-way down, we saw some California Condors, which is supposedly kind of rare! The noise their wings made as they flew over us was cool, we stood and watched them for a bit.
Our first spotting of the Colorado river
Some of the rock formations were interesting
there is a cave you have to walk thru to get to the bridge that crosses the river
the stories behind the bridges and things down at the bottom were really neat to learn about!
we made it down! I think going down was harder than going up, my Dad's poor knees were hurting him and I was worried we'd have to get a mule for hime to ride back up! Luckilly, he was fine after resting a bit and wrapping one of his knees.
the lodge at Phantom Ranch
One of the views while hiking up the next day. If you look really hard (about 3/4 from the bottom center), you can see Indian Gardens, which is about the half-way point coming up on the Bright Angel trail.
There was a stream that followed the trail part of the way up. The sound of it just made the trail even more beautiful!
Not quite half-way up. The rocks change colors and textures as you hike, it's hard to describe how pretty it all was!
The trail crosses this stream several times along the way....
another view... I should have taken one form the top- oops! We were tired and yet so excited to have finished, that we must have forgotten! We both couldn't walk for 2 days afterward! I didn't think i was that out of shape, but it was worth the soreness!
I am so glad that my Dad had this great idea, it was an awesome experience and I will do it again and agian. I think we are going to go again next Spring, hopefully more of us will be able to go then!