Mule Trip to Phantom Ranch

Last weekend I was lucky enough to take a mule trip to Phantom Ranch with my parents.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever done but also one of my favorite things.  I will remember it forever.  We stayed in one of the cabins for two nights and rode out again.  We had beautiful weather and a wonderful time.

 Getting ready

 Mom meets Marcy

 It was a beautiful morning

 Still some ice and snow on the trail in the shady areas

There were more switchbacks on the way down and back than we could count

A well deserved break at Indian Garden

Dad and Mona

Chalula and I

Back in the saddle

Down to the Colorado River!

Crossing the Black Bridge

The rest of our mule train

We made it!

Our home for two nights

Chalula enjoying her day off

The bottom of the Grand Canyon is beautiful

Silver Bridge

Bright Angel Creek

Quiet morning at the Ranch

 Hiking on the North Kaibab Trail

More of the North Kaibab Trail

Starting out to the rim

Dad and Mona on Black Bridge

 Our mule train

 Can't beat the views

Best picture of the whole trip

More unbeatable views

 

We came up that?

Another view back the way we came. 

Camera battery died at this point but other than a few sore muscles, we made it out just great.  Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!  Can't wait until we do a Colorado River trip for your 80th!

2011 Arizona 3 Day Walk Pictures

Opening ceremonies start early, very early - it is still dark



One Heart One Goal One Step At A Time

Many of the reasons we walk - someday I hope to carry in the adventures flag

Team Grand Canyon ready to go!

Team Grand Canyon's favorite girl scouts

Even the horses wear pink during the walk

Enjoying the rain

You have to watch out for pirates on the course

And knuckle rapping nuns!

Follow the arrows

Loved this shirt

The crew was great helping set up tents this year

Home sweet home for two nights - this year we got rain during the night

Some of my flair

The shower water was wonderfully hot this year

This sign says it all for me

Closing ceremonies - survivors circle

Big smiles

Holding up our shoes in honor of the survivors

Love Love Love This Picture!

Our Team T-Shirt "From the Canyon to the Cure - Team Grand Canyon"

Yea! Team Grand Canyon!

Goofing Off

Team Grand Canyon, Three Long Days and We Are All Still Smiling

Enjoying some post walk celebratory champagne!!

AZ 3 Day Walk Begins This Friday

I leave tomorrow for the Arizona 3 Day Walk.  Thank you everyone who donated this year.  The seven of us on Team Grand Canyon have raised over $22,000 this year which puts us at $58,000 in three years.  We could not have done it without all of our friends and family.  It is nice to know that such good had come out of such a terrible time of my life.  This is my third year walking. Since last year I have had two friends diagnosed with breast cancer.  Both of them in their 40s.  This year I walk for them and for the hope that I have that in the future others will not have to experience the breast cancer nightmare.  I look forward to spending time with the ladies on our team.  There are three of us that are walking for a third time, three of us walking for our second time, and one of us getting to experience her first walk.  Three of us live in Grand Canyon National Park, two of us live in Denver, one of us lives in Phoenix, and one of us lives in New York.  I am truly blessed to have such amazing women to walk next to for three days.  I look forward to the others that I will meet this weekend.  Everyone who makes the commitment to raise the $2,300 and participate in the walk has a story about how breast cancer has changed their lives.  I would like to thank each of them personally for making a difference.  The weather looks like we might be rained on a little.  We only had a slight shower in 2009 so we are not used to rain on the walk or on our tents.  I’m bringing more rain gear and some trash bags to wrap everything up in during the day when we are away from camp.   I have the world’s largest sleeping bag since I get so cold at night.  I needed help last night smashing it into my duffle.  I don’t have much room for anything else now but at least I’ll be comfy when I sleep.  I will take lots of pictures again this year and I’ll post them next week.  Thanks again to all of you who donated.  It means the world to me and it does make a difference.