The grand Grand Canyon

John and I hiked the Grand Canyon with our cousins Jane and Kessler and some of their family and friends. It was an adventurous and fun day.

Here we are starting out: happy on the shuttle over.


The south rim


Friday, we arrived at the south rim around midnight. Our plan was to camp on the side of the road. i was really encouraged when i saw a yellow warning sign with a cougar on it. Other animal life: a large moose and a deer buck. Well, if we were mauled in our sleep i didn't notice. We woke at 5:30 and started on the trail by 6:30. Late start.






John was in wilderness survival heaven with hundreds of tall yucca plants. We learned that you can eat the flowers, start fires with the dry stalks and make antibacterial soap and shampoo from the roots.











Crossed the Colorado river and some people dipped in.


Thank heavens for my marvelous husband and his endless optimism and kindness. When we ran out of water, he pulled out his water purifier and ran down to the river and pumped water for everyone. It was our saving grace.


The long, endless stretch at the bottom is called the hot box. Aptly named.





After the hot box, it was 5000 ft climb to the top.








We made it! So so happy !