R2R 2012

Last weekend, Jared flew down to Arizona (I finally got to see that handsome man again!).  We got up early the next morning and drove up to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We stopped at the Indian Trading Post and stocked up on cookies (they have german chocolate cake cookies and zucchini cookies!).  The trees were just beginning to change to fall colors as we drove into the North Rim.  It is absolutely beautiful up there!  The Lodge was as incredible as I remembered it and the company was among the very best!  We ate a carb + protein loaded dinner and went to bed early so as to be prepared for the craziness ahead.  Saturday consisted of crawling out of bed at 4:30am to begin hiking at 5am.  This time around, we decided to take the detour and see Ribbon Falls.  It was gorgeous!!  All 36 hikers in our group wore these awesome matching shirts.  Throughout the day, we got tons of comments like, "How many people are in your group?" and "Are you seriously hiking the entire canyon in one day?!" The last question was my favorite!  Yes, we are nuts!  Yes, it took me just over 11 hours of nearly straight hiking to get from one end of the biggest hole in the earth to the other.  Jared was so sweet and stayed with me the entire time!  My dad waved goodbye at 5am in hopes to beat his goal of 8 hours: he made it!  The day ended with one of the worlds best 8 minute showers, the tastiest cafeteria food (but what shower and what food could ever possibly be bad after 25 miles!?!), and a stiff car ride home.  Best part - we hardly demonstrated the "Grand Canyon Shuffle" the next day!  I was pretty excited that I was hardly sore!  It was a wonderful weekend filled with so many good memories!!  It wasn't our first trip through the canyon and I'm sure it won't be the last... :) 

 

North Rim

 

Shirt Logo

 Mile 2, 5:45am, 62*

 The Top of Ribbon Falls

 The Bottom of Ribbon Falls

 Mile 18, 12pm, 100*

 South Rim - FINISHED!