May 2011 Annual Grand Canyon Trip

So, Mike and Sue had left, leaving us with a week in Calama before we climbed aboard a plane once again but this time heading back to the U.S.!  It had been almost nine months since we'd been back.  Not to say we haven't had a multitude of opportunities to escape Calama and travel -- but I must say -- there is such a pleasure in returning to the U.S.  All travel went smoothly for our return arriving in Phoenix on Sunday, May 8, eagerly anticipating our annual trip to the Grand Canyon -- whoo hoo!  The fellows were once again blessed with great weather for their hike from the South Rim to the North Rim and Sue and I were once again blessed with an ever-changing scenic drive from Phoenix to the North Rim.  But get this, upon Sue and my arrival at the North Rim, checking into our rooms, unpacking the car, preparing a cooler and then heading to the North Kaibab trailhead, there Mike and Larry were, waiting in the sleet.  Steve got tired of waiting and hitch-hiked to the lodge.  They just keep getting faster or perhaps next time we need to be better prepared and not stop and grocery shop in Flagstaff....

I will never tire of the vistas we are awarded on our yearly trips to the Grand Canyon.  This day we sat on the lodge deck and watched clouds form....

Weird to not have a photo of the guys as they came out so I'll settle for this shot of Mike with Marla and Sue.  Marla and her family had driven up separately -- the plan -- Sue and Marla were going to hike the North Rim to the South Rim.

So, we enjoyed our time at the North Rim and then it was time to send Marla and Sue off on their adventure.  They left at 5:30 a.m. arriving on the South Rim -- gosh, I think it was 9 hours later.  What women!!  Great accomplishment!

Steve and Mike slept in that morning and followed Marla and Sue two hours later.  Wonderful Larry gave up his return portion of the hike to drive back with me.



Here Larry is with a totally different view, for him, of the Colorado -- near Lee's Ferry.

Following a drive through Oak Creek Canyon and an overnight in Sedona and a stop in Prescott, we arrived back in Phoenix and the following day we took nephew Jimmy (he really would prefer I call him Jim) to the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Gosh, guess the kid is growing up....

So, another great Grand Canyon trip.  Next post...what we've been doing since the G.C.