Arizona hike day 3

So at around 4:00am I was dying to go to restroom so finally got up to go.  Remember the closest toilet (which by the way is self composting) is about a quarter of a mile one way.  Do you know how dark it is at that hour?  DARK!  Even with a headlamp!  Well on the walk back to the camp, I missed our campsite and ended way off.  I knew it, but it was so dark that I had absolutely no idea where I was.  I had walked the trail many times the last two days but at dark it looks so different.  I had to walk until found a landmark and start over.  I admit that a bit of panic set in but once I arrived at the water source, I turned around and headed back towards our camp.  I finally started looking for tents and thankfully found my tent.  I had already decided I would just stop and wait until daylight if I couldn't find it.  I knew there was only one path through the campground so I would be fine once I had more light.  When I was finally back, I was so wide awake that going back to sleep wasn't an option so decided to just take down my tent and pack my stuff up to leave.  I was all packed up by 5:30am, dropped the duffel bag at the gate, and hit the trail at 7:05am.  One last look at Havasu Falls . . .

. . . and Navajo Falls . . .

It was back to the hard part . . . getting out of this place!

. . . miles and miles of endless walking and thinking about nothing . . . probably deep down I was planning my next trip!  I often compare these hikes to childbirth . . . the pain is so real and difficult but in a few days you forget about it and are ready to do it again.  True story!  I walked with very few breaks.  It was nice and cool outside so wanted to make the most of my time.  Again, I walked most of the time alone with short breaks for water and protein snacks.  I bet I did not stop more than 30 minutes total the entire 10 miles.   I took very few photos and was super focused.  It was around mile 7 that the sun starting beaming down!  Are we there yet?

I was thankful we started so early but also dreading the last 2 miles as it was the uphill switchbacks.  I wish I would have taken a photo because they were a killer!  I swear I walked 20 feet and rested a minute . . . I was so tired!  At around mile 9.5, I saw my red duffel bag . . .

. . . and was D-O-N-E!!!!

My goal was to be out by 1:15pm, but we beat that time and at 12:15pm exited the trail . . . so a little over 5 hours to hike out.  We were moving out and not wasting any time!  That was good because a storm was blowing in with lightning and rain so we really did time the hike out just right!  I was so hungry and couldn't wait for a real meal that did not require boiling water!

Oh that iced tea was amazing too.  The drive back to Las Vegas was nice but all I could think about was a shower and running water!  I have never felt so clean . . . I shower daily but my skin was squeaky clean today!  We relaxed a bit before heading out for dinner at a local Thai restaurant.  Oh so yummy!  We still had a lot of time before we needed to check in for the red eye flight home so we cruised down the strip and headed for the airport . . . time to head home!

Arizona hike day 2

I am still new to sleeping in a tent as this is only my second camping trip.  I slept okay . . . you wake up and toss and turn and roll over and fall back to sleep.  It isn't my ideal vacation, but it is one that I freely signed up to take!  I find it different but do enjoy the experience too.   I woke up not feeling so great . . . still stuffy which I know all the dust hasn't helped but going to make the most of the situation.  What surprised the most was when I unzipped the tent and went to stand up . . . absolutely no pain!  I figured I would barely be able to stand up this morning.  I got up and headed out to get some water.  The only potable water is about a mile round trip . . . I took every water bottle I could carry.  This is the water source . . .

. . . nope it isn't filtered but never got sick and there is always a line!  I stopped at the restroom on the way back to camp too.  I got my breakfast ready and boiled some water . . .

. . . it isn't a typical breakfast but when you have to carry it you really sort of weed out what is the heaviest.  So on my menu was turkey jerky, hot chocolate, and grits.  I love grits!  I ate, cleaned up, and headed back to the tent to rest since I wasn't feeling so grand.  It is peaceful to just lay there and listen to the water flowing.

I got up and made a plan.  I am very scared of heights.  We are camping near Mooney Falls which is spectacular too.  However, getting to the bottom requires some travel that sort of freaks me out so going to the bottom isn't an option for me.  I did enjoy the view of Mooney Falls from above . . .

. . . and head back to camp to relax, take some more medicine, and rest my feet in the water.  I decided to drink one of those Emergen-C to perk myself up with my lunch.

I headed back to the tent for a nap.  The nap and vitamin C boost made me feel so good that I headed out to the Fry Bread Hut for a treat . . .

I don't drink soda . . . never really have but the thought of a really cold drink sounded so good . . . and that fry bread sort of just made my day!  Do you feel like all I am doing is sleeping and eating?  Me too!  We went back to camp and hung out and chatted with some of the other people in our group. And made mini s'mores with the jetboil; I know how creative . . .

At this point it was pull out all your food and see what you need to eat before the hike out tomorrow!  I sure am going to miss this view . . .

Dinner and in bed by 7:45pm . . . it is going to be an early wake up tomorrow!  Good Night . . .

Arizona Hike day 1

It was a great night of sleep . . . seriously . . . I heard the train a few times but fell right back to sleep.  However, one of the guys in the group had a room on the back side of the hotel and said it was awful.  So if you ever stay at this hotel be sure to ask for a room facing the road.  We made a quick stop for the free breakfast which was good and then on the road we went.  So exactly where am I going?  Supai, which is on the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

It was still about 65 miles to the Hilltop Parking Lot where the trail head was located.  It was a drive as if you were going to the middle of nowhere which we would find out was exactly where we were going.  We arrived to a lot of cars and not many parking spots.  So we pulled up, dropped our bags, and parked on the side of the road.  Our group of 30 had arrived and off we went!  I must admit that I am cheating a bit.  I paid for a mule to take a duffel bag to the campground.  I packed my tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bags, and few other small items . . . about 12 pounds of essential stuff.  I was still carrying a pack with food, clothes, and water that weighed about 15 pounds . . . most of it being water!  I started the hike at 9:05am and it was a cool 52 degrees.  Here I go . . .

From time to time I would find someone to snap my photo along the way.  It was a hard walk down the first mile or two and then was just walking in a flat wash with a lot of rocks.  It was pretty and was surprised at the green vegetation along the way . . .

 . . . and then we saw this guy!

Isn't he pretty!  He sure could maneuver those rocks so easily.  I ended up walking most of the trip alone which was fine.  I took my time and enjoyed the beauty . . .

Time sort of went by quickly and then would slow down.  I stopped from time to time for a drink or snack but was in no hurry.  We could not check in for the campground until our entire group arrived at the same point.  I was in the middle of the pack so knew I had plenty of time.  I caught up with Simon and Matt for a bit of time too.  Simon was on the hike last year and takes some really good photos.  It is nice to chat from time to time but also to be alone.  Almost there . . .

. . . well that is what we told ourselves which in reality we were at around mile 6.  My body was holding up pretty good.  My hip was hurting a bit which didn't surprise me because it has been bothering me on normal days the last few months.  I have also had a nagging sinus infection but thankfully got some antibiotics a few days before we left . . . hopefully I feel great the next few days.  But when we saw this sign we knew we were getting closer . . .

Our first sight of water . . .

. . . it was so clear!  We arrived at the office at 12:00pm.  The way this hike works is you check into the office at mile 8 and get your permit.  Yes, you must walk 8 miles to officially check in for the overnight stay.  Not to mention the reservation for the hike was made back in April after hundreds of phone calls by many people in our group.  It is not an easy reservation to get but so glad I got to tag along!  We get our wrist band and set out for the last 2 miles.  The village was small but had a very well stocked store where you could buy anything you would need . . . all I wanted was a post card and of course they were all sold out.  As we walked you could hear the water and then you get your first glimpse of Navajo Falls . . .

It really is beautiful and after walking for many hours you really just want to go sit in the water.  We continue on and see Havasu Falls . . .

WOW, this is why you do this hike!  Thankfully the campground was just around the corner and was in no hurry since I had not seen the mule or my bag today.  It wasn't scheduled to arrive until at the latest 4:00pm.  We picked a camping spot and marked it by leaving our packs and poles.  Hopefully no one take it because it is right on the water!

We made the walk back to the bag drop area only to find our bags were still not there!  We were concerned because it was getting dark and setting up a tent at night is no fun.  So we pay the Fry Bread Hut a visit . . . wow isn't that yummy!  After burning all those calories a fresh fry bread with cinnamon and sugar was a pure delight!  The wait was long and we were already planning what if our bag doesn't arrive?  Thankfully at 5:30pm the last mule train of the day pulled up and there was my bag!  We quickly grabbed it and headed out to set up camp before dark.  Home Sweet Home for the next two nights . . .

All was well and time to sit down and eat dinner . . . in the dark!  Thankfully, it is easy to operate a Jetboil . . . and quickly boils water too!  I was in my tent at 7:00pm.

Arizona Hike day 0

It has been a long time since I have been on a vacation so off I go.  Not that this will be your average vacation but it is time away from home.  I am flying into Las Vegas to position myself for a super hike tomorrow morning.  The Las Vegas airport is a zoo . . . lots of people and noises and slot machines too!  Marilyn picked me up in the rental car and the air conditioner was blowing hot air so an hour later we have a cold air blowing air conditioner.  We set out to buy some supplies for our hiking/camping trip that we can't fly with on a plane.  We made a quick drive down the Vegas Strip with a stop at The Venetian.  We had a yummy lunch at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar . . .

. . . chicken biscuits and the best grits ever.  YUMMY!  And then since we had so much time, we spent a bit of time in the casino . . .

. . . I left with a whopping casino win of $.38 . . . yep, thirty eight cents!  Our drive will be about 3 hours today with an overnight in Peach Springs, Arizona . . .

The Las Vegas airport was about an hour closer than the Phoenix airport so is was an easy decision on where to fly for the hike.  It was on the road we went enjoying the drive on Route 66 . . .

. . . getting our kicks on Route 66 at a fun rest stop . . .

Our goal was to arrive before dark and that is exactly what we did.  We dropped our stuff in the room, and headed to the restaurant for dinner.  We met up with three other members of our group.  It was time to get serious about tomorrow so we repacked our duffel bag and backpacks for the big hike tomorrow.  We are literally staying in the middle of no where . . . actually Peach Springs, Arizona which some say this area was the inspiration for the movie Cars . . . who knows but it is a pretty cool area!  There hotels are limited.  After endless research, I picked Hualapai Lodge.  I will admit I was worried about the train noise but asked for a street side room so hopefully we can sleep.  You know the noise is an issue when you are given ear plugs when you check in!  I thought the hotel was very nice and clean . . . all we really wanted was a nice bed and hot water to shower before we head out.  It offered both so let's see how we sleep!  The big day starts tomorrow . . . here is what I will survive on the next 3 days . . .

Arizona day 6

Did you hear that?  That was the sound of sadness knowing you must leave an amazing hotel and head back home.  It has been the most relaxing few days ever . . . I so don't want to step on the scale and see the damage when I get home though!  Before leaving it was back outside to get moving.  The problem today was that I overslept . . . maybe on purpose . . . I did finally get up and head out for a little bit until it just got too HOT!  The hotel has a trail that leads you directly to Pinnacle Peak so that is where I went.

It was just me, a bunny . . .

. . . and a million lizards!  It was really warm out with no breeze so it was painful!

I pushed as far as I could with the water I brought with me and then turned around so I would not become a heat casualty!  I did not get as far as I had hoped but something is better than nothing, right?

It was still early so made a quick change into my swimsuit all while trying to not wake up Colin and headed for the pool.  The pool was empty and Jessica found me the perfect chair and got it all ready.  Talk about service . . . she was also a delight to chat with too!  Oh the pool . . .

. . . it was just what I needed after a hot hike this morning.  The kids finally woke up!  We enjoyed hanging out for a bit before we had to check out.  We were all hungry and decided to just grab a quick lunch at the hotel restaurant, Proof,  before heading to the airport.  And just like that we had to say good bye to the dessert . . .