Grand Canyon

I got home late Sunday night (nearly midnight) from our great adventure at the Grand Canyon. Between catching up with work, laundry, and wondering why the maid didn't come while I was away, I have had some nagging in the back of my head to write about the trip. I find that I am at a loss for words. Perhaps some pictures will suffice:

First look at Mathers Point

Second glance - trying to hold my jaw shut at this point

The incredibly strong and fabulously good-
looking Western North Carolina hiking group

Look, Ma, no railing - couldn't resist! Looks like a painted backdrop, doesn't it? There is a great book called Over The Edge: Death In The Grand Canyon. It basically says that adults die but kids don't, because they listen to adults...who don't listen...

The Bright Angel Trail - an easy 4.6 miles down, an excruciating 4.6 miles back up. We began our hike before 6:00 AM and it took 9 hours.

Our destination is just around the corner...at the bottom ...Indian Gardens (click on photo)

We got stopped on the Bright Angel Trail going back up while a fatigued hiker (not one of us!) was rescued by helicopter. Warning: It's like a taxi - you ask for it, you pay for it.

The Grand Canyon is a destination everyone should have on their life list, but what made this trip even more extraordinary was the group I was honored to share the trails with. There were over 200 hikers associated with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Hike For Discovery program there to conquer the Canyon as they raised funds to conquer cancer, and the 200 hikers represented $1.2 million in donations -- even more awe-inspiring than the Grand Canyon! Our group representing Western North Carolina was small but awesome and we kicked butt going up and down those trails. It was an experience I will never forget.