There's Always Money in the Banana Stand

Halloween is the one time of the year I can be creative and do some arts and crafts. This year was no different, with my hand painted apron to channel George Michael Bluth. Even with real bananas!

Killing Two Seasons with One Trip

Headed up to Flagstaff for my 2nd annual Columbus Day weekend (well, just Sunday and Monday). I drove up the windy road towards the Snow Bowl and the rain gradually turned into snow. What the heck?!? It's October! I walked a but through the snowy aspen grove, but in my mind, I just wanted the warmth of Phoenix again.

What I'm Listening To: "Honeybody"

Grand Canyon: Day 3

Last day. I really didn't want to leave and head back to real life. But being at Mather Point (pictures) really turned me away. There were so many tourists hurrying from viewpoint to viewpoint to take pictures. No one seemed to be slowing down to enjoy the marvel in front of them. 

But I still want to go back. Who wants to with me? I want to go now!

Grand Canyon: Day 2

I think I'm the only person that is able to sleep in while camping. I woke up late and debated not hiking the route I had planned. But I knew I had enough time to do it before the sunset. Why not? I started at South Kaibab trailhead around 9:20 and headed down into the canyon. My hiking poles helped with my bad knee because it was either downhill or flat the entire way down. Absolutely stunning.

By lunchtime, I had made it to the Colorado River and Phantom Ranch (see below). There's a campsite and little shacks to stay in. It was so green. I filled up my water bottles here because there is no water on South Kaibab. Then it was time to go back up.

It's about 7.5 miles down and 10 back up. I think I must have blacked out at one point because it didn't seem so bad to get to Indian Garden (about half way up). But I was able to stick my feet in the cool waters of the Colorado earlier in the day. The rest of the hike was good, except for the last 1.5 miles. I hit the wall so hard. My legs weren't moving and I was chafing. I wanted someone to carry me up. The only thing that kept me going was knowing there was an ice cream shop at the top. 

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I finally made it! 17.5 miles in 8:30. Faster than I expected. I walked like a cowboy to the ice cream shop to see that it was closed for 3 minutes! But luckily the scooper called out, last call for ice cream. I think I would have cried if I had missed it. I had two huge scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream, proud that I made it.

Grand Canyon: Day 1

Woke up early to make it to the Grand Canyon with plenty of time left in the day. Really no traffic on the road--I made it to Flagstaff in two hours or so. Not sure about when I got to the East Entrance, because I had stopped at the Little Colorado River overlook on the way. 

But I was so pumped to get there. The land along the rim is full of trees and you really can't see the canyon until you are very close to the rim. I parked at the Watchtower and almost ran to see the Canyon for the first time. I was so amazed by it. It might seem obvious, but it was much larger and complex than I expected. I was worried that I'd be underwhelmed because I had researched so much but nope, I teared up when I first saw it. The viewpoint by the Watchtower had views of the Colorado River. The far side of the canyon looked fake. I was in awe.

I drove along the road toward the village and campground. I set up my tent and ate lunch in my hammock. Then, I hopped on my bike to head west towards Hermits Rest. As I was leaving Mather Campground, I saw elk just chilling by the check-in station. So cool!

I weaved by way through the developed part of the park, past the train depot and hotels, to the beginning of Hermits Rest Road. In the summer, there is only bus access on this road. But bikers are allowed on the road and hikers can take the paved path along the rim. 10 or so designated viewpoints were spaced out along the 7 mile road. The picture above is Powell Point, named after the famed explorer John Wesley Powell who made the first documented trip through the entire canyon.

Riding my bike was a great idea. I didn't have to worry about the shuttle. And it was good exercise--hilly and very windy. There were plenty of bike racks at all the viewpoints. I made it to Hermits Rest and enjoyed an ice cream sandwich. I hiked a little into the canyon (maybe a mile) but I only had on sandals. I was tired and hungry so I made my way back towards the campground.

I stopped at Powell Point again to watch the sunset. The golden hour really brought out the canyon colors (and made me look good). It was getting chilly as the sunset so I was glad to eventually make it back to my tent, where I ate some food and went to bed. Big day tomorrow.

Mixed Prints

Felt so cute in my mixed prints. I plan on trying this more often.