Jan and Sharon flew to Phoenix for a visit and our trip with 13 other women to Havasupai in the Grand Canyon. Jan arrived on April 5th and Sharon arrived the following Sunday.
We had so much fun together. One night we met Sharon's daughter Lisa and her two sons Nick and Taylor for dinner at Fogo's. I have NEVER had a meal like this in my life and I am old! Huge salad bar and then the staff walk through the diners non-stop serving every wonderful cut of meat you can think of on skewers and slice it right there on your plate. Very pricey but hey, it was Sharon's treat in honor of her upcoming 70th birthday in June. (Shouldn't Jan and I have treated her???) Thanks Sharon for a wonderful experience and about 6 pounds of weight gain... :-)
Tuesday we began our adventure to the Grand Canyon. We spent the night in Seligman, AZ on the famous Route 66. On our way to Seligman we stopped in Jerome where Sharon's son Aaron now resides. I just love Jerome. Very laid back, artsy type of mountain community and just about perfect for Aaron. We toured his home in Gold King Mine Ghost town. Yes, that is what it is called. What a place. Pics next time of the area. The TV show "American Pickers" might be coming, that is how much unique and old stuff is there! Last time they tried to record the show a snowstorm stopped them. The entire time I was walking around I wished our good friend Clayton was with us. Clayton, you would love this place!
After Jerome we headed to Prescott which required a drive with 158 curves in 12 miles. Our dear friend Marilyn took motion sickness meds before we left. Good idea! I was driving so it was quite the experience. I was glad to finally be out of that drive but it was an adventure. We finally made it to Seligman around 4:00. Checked in to our motel and we were off to the Road Kill Cafe for happy hour and food. We didn't party too late as we had a rather LONG hike the following morning.
Wednesday began our journey. Once we turned off of Route 66 (about 30 miles from Seligman) we entered the Indian reservation and drove for 60 miles to the trail head. It was very cool and very windy at the top. After checking our bags with the "horses, we headed down for about a 9 mile hike through the most breath taking scenery you can imagine. We finally arrived at Supai Village and checked into our lodge. It was still early enough so we walked another mile to the first falls. Breath taking, again. I went with another gal another mile to Havasu Falls and then we returned to the lodge. Needless to say, we slept like logs that night!
The following day was our day to frolic in the water, hike to all the falls, etc. We probably walked another 6 miles "playing". Another night of sleeping like a log.
Friday morning was our dreaded day. As challenging as getting there can be, getting out of the canyon is a true challenge! What goes down must go back UP. :-) Everyone made it just fine but we all were sore, many had blisters and sore calves. One gal had suffered from aching calves (severe) so she opted to go the helicopter route back to the top. Thank goodness they offer that option, albeit for a price. :-)
I will never forget this trip with my sisters and a wonderful group of ladies. It was one of those "chances of a lifetime" type of experience. I was very sad to see them fly back to MN and FL.
Now I am just trying to decide when to head back to Iowa. I miss Mark terribly but the weather there doesn't sound inviting but tomorrow in AZ we are to hit triple digits. Last year they didn't hit those until June 15th so it could be a long hot summer for my AZ friends. I am thinking the end of April would be a good time to return to the farm...
Some pics and video of our trip:
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| Kayley and Drew, look! Grandma's favorite color was in the canyon |
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| My first glimpse of Havasu Falls |
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| Sisters Jan and Sharon on the trail |
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| Navajo Falls. Completely different after the flooding of 2007 but more beautiful! |
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| Beautiful sight as we enter the Indian village |
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| Having a hearty breakfast before our hike with my sisters (one lovingly adopted...Marilyn) |
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| Sisters Sharon and Jan at the Road Kill Cafe |
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| Our first view of Navajo Falls. This was not here before the flooding in 2007! |
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| Jan, Marla and Sharon getting into shape before the big hike. Sitting???? |
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| Young, brave people jumping one of the Navajo Falls |
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| Our group of 16 ladies making this journey together |
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| Dear friend Jane took the three of us kayaking before our trip. Wonderful day with Jane! Jan and Jane in their kayak. |
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| I am mowing our "lawn". Takes me 10 minutes and 5 of those minutes are unrolling and rolling up the cord. LOL |
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| Jan on one of our "get in shape" hikes before the BIG one. |
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| Front yard cactus blooming |
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| Not a bad view on this canyon hike, wouldn't you agree? |
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| The start of our journey |
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| Stopping to rest about half way |
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| Sharon and I on our way down...the easy part, going down! |
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| I am as tired as I look! |
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| Another wonderful hiking view |
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And another!
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