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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