Day 1 – Phoenix to Williams, AZ
Apr 9
2010
After the worse flight of my life last night – three straight hours of banshee shrieking and tantrum kicking the back of my seat – we made it to Phoenix. We woke early this morning, thanks to a wrong number call at 05:00, and started our vacation. A nice hot breakfast at the hotel and some last minute shopping at REI and we were on our way to meet up with our friends Sylvis and Peach just south of the Grand Canyon. The drive wasn’t bad but we took our time and made stops for shopping and lunch before finally making it to the hotel where they were already waiting on us. We spent a few hours catching up, gathering and packing our hiking gear, and then went out for a nice steak dinner. Tomorrow is going to be a big, exciting day!
![img_0026 change of scenery from the beach at home](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0026.jpg)
change of scenery from the beach at home
Day 2 – Into the Grand Canyon (S. Kaibab)
Apr 10
2010
I was up and ready to go this morning. After years of wanting to hike the Grand Canyon, I was so excited to get started. We had an hour drive and we stopped along the way for a hearty Denny’s breakfast, our last real meal for the next two and a half days. When we finally arrived at the canyon, we toured the rim a bit and made one last shopping stop.
![img_0030 first look into the canyon](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0030.jpg)
first look into the canyon
![img_0032 hubby, peach, and sylvis a the rim](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0032.jpg)
hubby, peach, and sylvis a the rim
![img_0033 hubby and i ready to begin our trek](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0033.jpg)
hubby and i ready to begin our trek
At last, we caught the shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead and started our descent into the canyon around 13:00.
![img_0035 south kaibab trailhead](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0035.jpg)
south kaibab trailhead
![img_0036 view from the start of the trail](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0036.jpg)
view from the start of the trail
I was still a bit anxious when we started. I knew I could do it but I just didn’t know what lay ahead of me and I was a bit nervous. I had heard that the trail could get scary. I have a history of freaking out on extremely narrow, two-sided-fall trails. I was led to believe that this trail could be like that in places. It was not. It was, however, a very downhill trail. By that I mean that there was steepness the ENTIRE way. There were not stretches of level ground with steps between – there were steps or steep declines and switchbacks all the way down.
![img_0041 looking down at the first of many switchbacks](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0041.jpg)
looking down at the first of many switchbacks
![img_0045 looking back up at that same set of switchbacks, nearly invisible in the cliff-face](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0045.jpg)
looking back up at that same set of switchbacks, nearly invisible in the cliff-face
![img_0051 a little trail and a lot of view](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0051.jpg)
a little trail and a lot of view
Also , I have never done any packing. I started the trek this morning carrying 25 extra pounds of supplies and equipment. I was unsure how my legs, back, and shoulders would adjust to this extra stress.
![img_0096 out of sequence but here's me showing off my awesome pack](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0096.jpg)
out of sequence but here's me showing off my awesome pack
By the end of it, my two big toes (not to mention my broken fourth toe) were killing me. But the views… the views were incredible.
![pan1 panoramic views](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/pan1.jpg)
panoramic views
![img_0057 me, hubby, canyon](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0057.jpg)
me, hubby, canyon
![img_0071 img_0071](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0071.jpg)
hubby in nature
![img_0075 our first view of the river!](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0075.jpg)
our first view of the river!
![img_0077 twisty turny trail](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0077.jpg)
twisty turny trail
![img_0081 hubby taking it in](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0081.jpg)
hubby taking it in
![cob_0015 desert blooms - this is one of many photos taken by peach with my little d10 after his very nice SLR died](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0015.jpg)
desert blooms - this is one of many photos taken by peach with my little d10 after his very nice SLR died
![img_0090 vista](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0090.jpg)
vista
![img_0097 getting into the red earth](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0097.jpg)
getting into the red earth
![img_0100 lean on me](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0100.jpg)
lean on me
![cob_0019 crazy swedes passing hubby as they RUN the trail (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0019.jpg)
crazy swedes passing hubby as they RUN the trail (by peach)
![img_0107 the river, in all its silty glory](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0107.jpg)
the river, in all its silty glory
![cob_0020 monoliths (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0020.jpg)
monoliths (by peach)
![cob_0023 hubby and me (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0023.jpg)
hubby and me (by peach)
![cob_0024 red rock (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0024.jpg)
red rock (by peach)
And the hike was wonderful. It has been so long since we really did any hiking that I had almost forgotten how enjoyable it really is. I LOVE hiking. Even toward the bottom, when my toes had started throbbing, I had a huge smile on my face and was enjoying every minute of it. Although, I will admit to being overjoyed at the sight of the black bridge, which I knew to be the end-marker of our descent and the gateway to our end-point.
![img_0109 first view of black bridge - the end is in sight](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0109.jpg)
first view of black bridge - the end is in sight
![img_0111 more river views](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0111.jpg)
more river views
![img_0112 zoom-in on the above shot showing the silver bridge and some mule corrals](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0112.jpg)
zoom-in on the above shot showing the silver bridge and some mule corrals
![cob_0025 getting closer to black bridge and the end of this crazy descent](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0025.jpg)
getting closer to black bridge and the end of this crazy descent
![cob_0029 panorama (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0029.jpg)
panorama (by peach)
Once we crossed the bridge, it was fairly level ground and only a ten or fifteen minute walk to the Bright Angel campground.
![img_0124 hubby at the mouth of the bridge tunnel - smiling because there's no more downhill!](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0124.jpg)
hubby at the mouth of the bridge tunnel - smiling because there's no more downhill!
![img_0125 view of silver bridge taken from black bridge](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0125.jpg)
view of silver bridge taken from black bridge
![cob_0034 enter black bridge (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0034.jpg)
enter black bridge (by peach)
![cob_0035 sylvis and hubby and me coming out of the tunnel (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0035.jpg)
sylvis and hubby and me coming out of the tunnel (by peach)
![img_0127 peach, sylvis, me, hubby at black bridge](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0127.jpg)
peach, sylvis, me, hubby at black bridge
![cob_0038 fleur de cactus](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0038.jpg)
fleur de cactus
We found a campsite and settled in.
![img_0132 peach busting out the tools to set up camp](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0132.jpg)
peach busting out the tools to set up camp
![img_0134 hubby building shelter](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0134.jpg)
hubby building shelter
![cob_0039 sylvis and me guarding home and hearth](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0039.jpg)
sylvis and me guarding home and hearth
My toes were thrilled to get out of my boots and into some comfy flip-flops – what can I say, they are beach feet!
![img_0137 drying and airing out the socks and boots](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0137.jpg)
drying and airing out the socks and boots
Peach cooked dinner (Mountain House lasagna for hubby and I – a surprisingly tasty meal), which we took with us to the ranger program up at Phantom Ranch where we learned all about the CCC and the improvements that they made to the canyon. When we returned to our campsite, we shared a dark chocolate cheesecake dessert (basically just chocolate pudding with toffee crumbles, no cheesecake flavor) before calling it a night.
Day 3 – River to Garden (Bright Angel)
Apr 11
2010
Last night was amazing. Lying in our tent, we had a full view of more stars than I’ve ever seen and the sound of the river was reminiscent of the waves back home. Of course, I didn’t sleep much. While the bedrolls were very light to carry, they were no match for an air mattress when it comes to comfort. It was hardly better than lying on the bare ground. I also had a lot of throbbing in my big toes and the weight of the (super-light) sleeping bag on them was nearly unbearable. All small costs for such a great experience. This morning, hubby and I were up at first daybreak.
![img_0138 what's the story, morning glory?](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0138.jpg)
what's the story, morning glory?
He got up and went wandering around the campground and I soon joined him.
![img_0139 view from our tent](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0139.jpg)
view from our tent
![img_0154 sun rising over the colorado](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0154.jpg)
sun rising over the colorado
![img_0171 hubby on the bridge to phantom ranch](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0171.jpg)
hubby on the bridge to phantom ranch
![img_0175 shadow us!](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0175.jpg)
shadow us!
A couple hours later, Sylvis and Peach woke and we started the breakfast (oatmeal) and camp break-down processes. Close to noon, we started our ascent of Bright Angel trail.
![img_0183 view from the river trail](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0183.jpg)
view from the river trail
![img_0185 hubby before silver bridge](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0185.jpg)
hubby before silver bridge
![cob_0040 sylvis crossing silver bridge](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0040.jpg)
sylvis crossing silver bridge
![img_0187 crossing the colorado](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0187.jpg)
crossing the colorado
The bottom, river portion of the trail was wonderfully level.
![img_0191 looking back over the silver bridge](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0191.jpg)
looking back over the silver bridge
It didn’t take long, however, before we reached some very mild inclines which were, unfortunately, followed by declines. Ugh! My legs and toes are DONE with the downhill motion. There was way more of it in the lower portion of this trail than I would have liked.
![cob_0044 peach holding up a pebble](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0044.jpg)
peach holding up a pebble
![img_0212 "oooh, a cave! let's see what's hungry!"](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0212.jpg)
"oooh, a cave! let's see what's hungry!"
It was also much hotter than I would have liked today. I actually ran out of water (2 liter bladder) about a mile before reaching Indian Garden. Not to worry - hubby (and Peach and Sylvis) had plenty if I had needed it, I must just be more hydration-needy than others. And I was sure that I was evaporating in that heat.
![img_0210 soak up the sun](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0210.jpg)
soak up the sun
![img_0198 flutterby!](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0198.jpg)
flutterby!
The trail was nice though in that it mostly ran along a creek that provided scenery and pleasant sound
![img_0194 sylvis beside a small cascade in the creek](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0194.jpg)
sylvis beside a small cascade in the creek
![img_0195 there were several fords along the trail](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0195.jpg)
there were several fords along the trail
![img_0208 crevices of greenery](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0208.jpg)
crevices of greenery
Despite the heat and lack of shade and steep climb, it was a great hike.
![img_0214 lazy hikers](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0214.jpg)
lazy hikers
![cob_0046 a peek of the trail we've already trodden](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0046.jpg)
a peek of the trail we've already trodden
While my legs and toes were much happier to be going uphill, it was still very tiring. Especially in the heat.
![img_0222 the devil's corkscrew](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0222.jpg)
the devil's corkscrew
![cob_0047 zoom on devil's corkscrew (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0047.jpg)
zoom on devil's corkscrew (by peach)
![cob_0052 view (by peach)](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0052.jpg)
view (by peach)
![img_0225 been out of water a little bit but surely a flowering tree must mean we're close to indian garden, right?](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0225.jpg)
been out of water a little bit but surely a flowering tree must mean we're close to indian garden, right?
![img_0227 another sign of garden](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0227.jpg)
another sign of garden
![img_0229 lush cascade area](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0229.jpg)
lush cascade area
![cob_0054 waterfall](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0054.jpg)
waterfall
![img_0232 there are so many different textures in the canyon](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0232.jpg)
there are so many different textures in the canyon
But seeing this sign was such a welcome sight. Not only is it the ONLY sign we’ve seen in two days, but it means that we have arrived at our destination du jour!
![cob_0060 from whence we've come and to where we're going](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0060.jpg)
from whence we've come and to where we're going
![img_0233 obligatory self-portrait](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0233.jpg)
obligatory self-portrait
It was wonderful to reach the campground and get out my boots again!
![img_0236 indian garden campground/rest area](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0236.jpg)
indian garden campground/rest area
![cob_0061 ribbit!](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0061.jpg)
ribbit!
![img_0239 colorful rock around indian gardens](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0239.jpg)
colorful rock around indian gardens
After setting up camp and resting and snacking a bit, we considered going another three miles to see Plateau Point. We walked just a little bit of it, to the first turn where there was a view,
![cob_0067 wide open spaces](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cob_0067.jpg)
wide open spaces
![img_0245 me and my hubby](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0245.jpg)
me and my hubby
before deciding to head back to camp.
![img_0250 you lookin' at me?!](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0250.jpg)
you lookin' at me?!
![img_0255 a beautiful tree](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0255.jpg)
a beautiful tree
![img_0259 doe, a deer, a female deer...](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0259.jpg)
doe, a deer, a female deer...
First, I was in flip-flops. Second, we were putting in enough miles without adding to it. Third, hubby has been to Plateau Point before and suggested that if we had just done a day-hike from the rim and were not going any further, it was absolutely a must but since we had already been to the river, it would be nothing new or spectacular. Sold! We returned to our campsite and ate dinner (Mountain House Teriyaki Chicken and Rice for hubby and I – I preferred last night’s lasagna but not because this was not good, I’m just more of an Italian girl than Asian) and dessert (Mountain House Chocolate Strawberry Crunch – same as last night: chocolate pudding with flavored chunks).
![img_0262 home sweet home, for the night](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0262.jpg)
home sweet home, for the night
![img_0265 sylvis baking dessert](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0265.jpg)
sylvis baking dessert
![img_0267 peach slaving over a hot stove](http://reflectionsofme.com/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/img_0267.jpg)
peach slaving over a hot stove
We plan on getting a much earlier start tomorrow so that we can get out of the canyon before it gets too hot.
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