These are not in any particular order!
Yield Mules
Into Camp
Campground Tour
No Pain No Gain
Into Enchanted
Enchanted
Enchanted 2
Waterfall
Post Waterfall
Mooney Orientation
Village Tour
Village Post Office
Ascent To The Top
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Havasu Canyon
NOTE: This trip could best be captured by visiting yourself. The pictures are good, but if you have the time ~ check out the post labeled "VIDEOS" to view all of the short videos that I took while in the canyon. Keep in mind, I am the WORST narrarator. If you can ignore me and just look at what I video'd, it will give you a mini-virtual tour of one of the most magnificent places on earth. Enjoy!
June 2nd, 2010 Arrival in Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix welcomed us in the late morning of June 2nd and we were escorted to the Hyatt, where we would be staying for Night One of our journey. After settling in with our roommates, our group of 11 (Alan, Roger, Robert, Greg, Lisa, Lizzie, Danielle G, Peggy, Jill, Carra and I) decided to sample the city’s hot spots of shops and restaurants. Sam’s Café was the perfect location to make our first toast to our journey. A few pitchers of “Grand Canyon Margaritas” (special ingredient~ Prickly Pear) and some sweet and spicy homemade Tostitos were enjoyed by all.
Following lunch, Lizzie, Carra and I decided to cool off our Leukemia/Lymphoma-inspired toes (green and purple!) on the sidewalk fountains! So refreshing in the 100+ degree temperatures!
After hitting a shop or two, Carra, Greg and I indulged Carra’s love of volleyball at the Arizona Convention Center where we watched some of the US Volleyball Open. Others went to pick up some last minute items for members of the team, some napped, and others enjoyed the sun at the pool.
In the evening, we met up for dinner at the hotel with Tracy, who is a coordinator for the LLS hike. She shared our morning’s itinerary plan and we got to meet Sandra and Edward~ two additions to the 42 hikers who’d be heading to Havasu in a couple of days.
After dinner, our group decided that we should head into town for some Cold Stone ice cream and Alan decided to call a group meeting. We rallied around a couple of outdoor benches and Alan led the “Awards” ceremony under the light of the moon.
We each got a tent stake as a token of our training session while Alan gave us each a moment in the “spotlight” by saying some kind words about each of us.
We ended our night around 10 p.m., after a night cap in the hotel bar.
A combination of time zone differences, the heat and a full day of new experiences set the stage for a restful evening!
P.S. Why did they arrange for us to stay the night in Phoenix? We were 5 hours from the Canyon in a place that had very little ‘life”. MAYBE, it was so that anyone who was THINKING about turning back could do so? The airport was only 5 miles or so away….
June 3rd Off to the Caverns Inn
We had to be packed and ready to leave for the Caverns Inn by 12:30 today. Over a room-service breakfast of steel-cut oats, yogurt and berries, and an egg and zucchini frittata- Carra and I down-sized our travel gear to a backpack and small duffel bag. A few cups of excellent coffee helped us through all of the challenges that come along with packing!
We had an hour and ½ to spare before we were to meet the group. We taxied to the Heard Museum to do a little tourist shopping and pick up our lunch for our 4 hour van ride. Carra got some Native American earrings and a bolo for our grandfather. I was very caught up in the life-size, pillow-soft sheep!
Our team met up with more LLS teams at 12:30, where after our “hellos”, we boarded the vans.
ALL 42 of us, heading for the same adventure, all for different reasons…very interesting, I must say. The four hour ride offered lots of opportunities for personal gratification (ie a good nap for me). Lizzie decorated her backpack with ribbons honoring and remembering loved ones, we shared stories, and enjoyed the scenery.
Our “Inn” was ummm…. Well, I guess rustic? That’s probably the best way to describe it. We were given a half an hour to get settled in our room prior to meeting for the inspiration dinner. I was surprised to be recognized for being the 3rd highest fund raiser for this LLS event. I was given a hiking journal, hat and LLS pin. Had I known I was going to be in the spotlight, I might have dressed better!
Dinner was located a mile away on the hotel property. If you can picture an $8.95 buffet-special…. You are probably right on the money. Spaghetti, meatballs, iceberg lettuce…get the picture? With 42 of us, it took a ½ hour before there was enough pasta and spice cake to feed the clan (… I opted for dessert first!) Our group was split with some of us eating inside, some outside. We all decided we would walk back to the inn that evening after taking a few group pictures.
A day full of travel and the time change made us all hungry for some fresh air.
Once we arrived back to the caverns, we did our final packing and visited our guides to load up our Camelbacks. I picked up a bottle of high SPF sunscreen, before turning in for the night. Did I mention we showered up in what would be the last “real” opportunity to clean up? I silently groaned, and set the alarm for 5:15 a.m.
P.S. I still can’t believe I am doing this. Like, really? Bio-degradable body wash and shampoo? Limited face care products? “Outdoor” bathrooms? I was feeling a full-blown panic attack come on as I closed my eyes and dreamed about simple pleasures- like showers… in a real shower. And an outlet, for my blackberry.
June 4th, 2010 Havasu Canyon, here I come!
We were ready for breakfast on time Friday morning. Some of us (Robert and Greg!) were still on Jersey time and were ready to hit the Canyon at 2 a.m.! Luckily for them, they were fully showered and packed extra early, but were easily able to lie down and catch a few more hours of sleep (once they figured out that no one else was up!). Breakfast offered many choices for our varied appetites- granola and yogurt, fruit, and hot foods like eggs and pancakes. We were encouraged to add ice into our “bladders” and empty our “natural” bladders in our final restroom! (Am I really doing this?!)
The ride to the Havasu Canyon (located along the south rim of the Grand Canyon) took approximately an hour. Our guides wanted us on the trail nice and early as they anticipated the blistering heat to come. As we pulled our vans into the parking lot, we all finalized our checklists. We had the chance to use the port a potty (I was opting not to~ the odors were deadly), confirm that our duffel bags and sleeping equipment had arrived and was ready to be loaded on the horses.
We packed our lunches, said farewell to those heading into the camp by helicopter,
and began our descent into one of the most breath-taking natural wonders I have ever seen.
(Now there is the mindset that I needed to enjoy this great opportunity!)
The trails were primarily downhill with a mix of varied terrain. There was a mix of loose sand, drive-way like stony paths and dirt trails… It was difficult to keep your eyes on your feet when the sights all around were so tempting! The horses (and in some cases, the mules) dominated the trails quite often, but provided us with a much needed break in our travels. They carried everything from coolers to people and they were on a mission. They often had thirsty dogs following close by, and once, the dog bit a mule’s leg which helped increase the mule’s pace!
Approximately six miles into the hike, we rounded up our teams on a dirt trail along side a crystal clear Havasu Creek. It was the perfect opportunity to remove our boots and socks, throw on some water shoes and jump in! The current was brisk, carrying us over some rocks and dumping us into a wider, more peaceful place in the stream. Many of us went in with the clothes we were hiking in- mostly because we were so hot (I mean, soooo hot), we really didn’t want to wait any longer for relief. We re-fueled with our back pack lunch of salami, cheeses and crackers and dried fruits before preparing to finish out our Day 1 hike. The final 2 hours were during the hottest part of the day. Temperatures escalated to 100+ degrees in the shade. I hadn’t put my boots back on, I figured I would give my Vibram 5s a whirl for the remainder of the hike. They were pretty comfortable, but the sand beneath our feet was so doggone hot- and it was endless! We were thankfaul to reach the Supai village where many of us indulged in ice-cream bars and cold drinks (I didn’t think twice about grabbing a frozen Snickers ice cream bar). The Supai Community was made up of places such as: The General Store, Café’, School and post office.
The post office is the only one where mail is delivered in and out by mule! Many of us bought post cards to write while at camp. The last mile of the hike was the hardest. It was so uncomfortable to be hiking in the heat and even though we weren’t carrying all of our supplies, we were carrying backpacks with 15 lbs. of gear.
Thank God for the amazing views as we approached camp! We passed the first waterfall and swimming hole and I can still feel the fear as I watched other tourists jump from the waterfall into the turquoise blue and honey-dew colored waters. Our entrance to the campground started with more falls, named Havasu Falls. The falls cascaded into more of a “swimming pool” comprised of blues and greens.
I was certainly feeling delirious at this point, from the heat and exhaustion…but with a simple smile I began wondering ~ could I have died and reached paradise?
Our camp was right around the corner from Havasu Falls. As we arrived, I was happy to see our AOA guides had set up our tents, a full blown kitchen (like something you’d see on “Iron Chef”) and canopy-covered picnic tables. Tears came to my eyes when I saw the stream of green and purple honorary flags with names of those enduring Leukemia/Lymphoma. (Here's to you my little Matthew!)
We had a “camp meeting” with details that didn’t extend beyond the day to come. We were encouraged to live and breathe only “the here and now”. AOA’s philosophy was to meditate on the moment and incorporate all of your senses into those moments, because the trip would be gone before we knew it~ leaving only the memories captured in our heads and hearts. This was hard for me to do, being such a “planner” and all. I embraced the philosophy and vowed to de-tox from the world of watches, e-mail and life’s business.
Our tents were equipped with twin-sized pads where we would lay out our sleeping bags for the next two nights. Our bags had arrived prior to us, so we claimed our items, placed valuables in the lock box…snacks in a sealed box and headed back up hill to Havasu Falls. The composting outhouses were about 300 yards from camp. The heat inside of those and our tents was approximately 135 degrees. I don’t think I would be alone in saying that this was one of those moments I didn’t want to “live and breathe” in!
Havasu Falls pool was approximately 75 degrees, which helped drop our body temperature to normalcy rather quickly. It was necessary to wear your water shoes as the bottom of the pools were covered with sharp rock, stone, and pebbles. We spent time sitting on the rock ledge, soaking in the warmth of the sun as the mists from the waterfalls tickled our warm skin. Very refreshing!
Dinner was at 5:30. It began with appetizers of cheese, crackers, and fruit. Dinner was amazing: steak, chicken, grilled mushrooms and onions, quinoa and roasted asparagus. The meal was topped off with carrot cake. It was at dinner time that some of the LLS hikers shared their stories of personal pain, loss and in some cases triumph. The emotions ran nearly as high as the Canyon’s temperatures at many points. Through those stories the bonds broadened beyond our team of 11 and comfort was shared throughout the camp.
This evening, we bathed along side of our tents in the creek that babbled down from the Falls. With water shoes on and bathing suits, we carried our clothing (that needed rinsing) and our bio-degradable soap for washing. The first night we bathed a bit too far up stream and the current totally pulled Carra from her feet and carried her down stream. With my hair lathered in a full citrus-scented mess, I stood up and screamed “Someone grab my sister!” It was one of those stomach-quaking-from-laughter moments as she assumed her footing in a more peaceful section of the pool. There was a clothesline for us to dry our things and if there wasn’t space, clothing dried just as quickly on top of our tent!
Evening allowed us to change our clothes in our tents, and prepare our packs for the next day. The guides set out a buffet of lunch items for us to choose from and place into our coolers. You could select turkey and ham or you could make pb and j (which is our team’s favorite!). They had nuts and dried fruit packs, peanut m&ms (oh my gosh, I was so craving chocolate!) and apples/oranges. We accessed water from a spring and set up our prepared packs for Day 2.
PS I have a “thing” for the moon and stars and in the Canyon, I developed an obsession for them. You could see the planet Venus right off the tip of the Canyon’s edge and the stars sprinkled the sky like a little boy’s freckled face. Under the night sky on the first evening, our NJ group gathered together and held on to one another tightly. It was one of the most meaningful group hugs that I have ever shared. No picture was needed for that. That memory will forever be preserved in my heart.
PSS Swarovski makes a moon and stars necklace that I bought as a memory of the Canyon. I wear it often, especially on days when I wish I had that group to hug!
June 5th Enchanted Forests and Waterfalls
I was a bit apprehensive for today. I had never hiked 2 days in a row and with the added challenge of the sun, I was fearful that I would miss some amazing opportunities if I didn’t change my thinking. I thought about the advice written in a great book by C.Dweck titled MindSet. I reminded myself that my abilities were governed by my mind. I trained hard for the Canyon, I knew I was physically prepared. So over breakfast of Canyon coffee, blueberry pancakes, sausage links, eggs with green peppers and mushrooms,
I decided to “improvise and overcome (my husband’s final words to me before we parted!) and get my blisters taped up by one of the guides.
Much to my pleasure, the teal-colored tape did wonders for the pain I was feeling. Today, many of us wore water shorts and swim suit tops. Our group had four great guides who took us on hidden trails and through an Enchanted Forest and Cave. For those teachers among us, this day was so differentiated. We had choices to take part in, based upon our ability (or mindset!). Our guides told us up front what to expect with each experience. The Enchanted Forest was reached by descending down dirt steps and across streams. My Vibram 5s came in so handy. Those suckers were so “grippy” on the ascent into the enchanted trail. There was a lot of rock climbing, gazing at ceilings of cave-like creations and “five points of contact” descents out of the forest.
It was challenging but it was shaded and tons of fun. The 2nd part of our venture was to the falls we saw on our way into the cavern the day before. 
It took no time to take our packs off and jump into the water. There was a “peace sign” tree trunk that you could climb to access a jumping ledge into the pool. THIS WAS MORE SCARY than jumping into the waterfalls that were to come. The trunk was slippery and had a steep incline. One of the guides stood near the top to offer extra stability. Carra and I jumped together, others dove, did back flips and jumped solely.
We decided to hug the side of the watering hole and progress toward the falls. The pull of the current made this difficult and scary. In fact, later in the day when we took the same path downstream, the current pulled me off the side and into the middle of the pool. I kept my hands in front of me to help break any potential contact with the razor sharp rock structure that were in sections of the pool. I lucked out with no injuries while others left with scrapes and cuts. The waterfalls were strong, white drenching sheets of water that had two jumping off points. Our guides led us to the lower ledges. We had to climb muddy and wet rocks up to the falls. They were slippery and in some parts, steep. I remember screaming when my sister and I felt the mists and initial streams from above. We hadn’t even jumped yet and I was already celebrating! We plunged twice into the falls and rose to the cheers from the rest of the team. Our time at the falls ended with our guides doing back flips and jumps off the top of the falls.
Our midday lunch was held back at camp. I was so glad to pull out my peanut M&Ms which I had (genuisly) tucked against my water bladder in my bag. To my amazement, they were not melted! After some re-taping of mine and Carra’s feet (Carra and I had a blister in the exact same spot on the same foot!) another group of us headed down to Mooney Falls- located approximately a mile out of camp. I stayed on the Margarita Deck where the guides gave an overview of the plan/strategy for climbing down into Mooney.
I couldn’t find my comfort level to do this challenge. I knew there’d be only rope ladders and chains in some areas to get down half of the falls. A combo of “fear of heights’ and the heat aided my decision to head back to the swimming hole to cool off. More members of our team joined us in swimming, reading, writing postcards and simply relaxing before dinner. I was so excited to see Carra and Greg return from Mooney. They told the rest of us all about the adventure and fear factor of the descent.
Dinner that evening was amazing. The appetizers included cheese quesadilla triangles with guacamole and various salsas, fresh pineapple and watermelon slices. Dinner was fajitas with grilled peppers and onions, and a Spanish rice dish. Before dessert, more people shared their stories, one of which was extremely touching to me. Ed, who had joined us the initial evening in Phoenix had lost his son Kyle to leukemia a year before. A group of us sat with him and listened to the stories of the struggles that are only near and dear to family members who unwillingly accept the “treatment” tolls associated with cancer. My face was aflame from the day’s activities already (and from the lack of quality skin care regimes). But I swear, I “blotched” up ten fold as I sobbed alongside of him and a group of four others. It’s times like this where you feel guilty for what occupies your time in every day life. That night, I really missed dessert (sugar and cinnamon crisps with honey and chocolate sauces) and nearly missed the chance to pack a lunch. Good thing for Carra. She filled up our bladders and began to take apart our tent for our early morning departure.
We decided to sleep on a tarp in our sleeping bags and enjoy our final night under the stars. I turned my boots upside down to keep the scorpions from going in, kept my head lamp nearby in preparation for our 3 a.m. wake up and then rested my head on my fleece jacket (pillow) for the night. I had bittersweet emotions that evening- I don’t think they need to be explained.
PS It wasn’t until I was in the stream this evening that I realized I hadn’t missed my cell phone or reality, for that matter. Talk about a true de-tox for the body and mind.
June 6th Ascending to the Top
“Guys! It’s 3:23!” Carra, Greg and I work up to blaring headlamps from our teammates. There was a gentle evening breeze and only the light of the stars in the sky to help us get ready for the long haul ahead. We all agreed our headlamp etiquette was less than desirable, which resulted in packing them up with our belongings. Our awesome guides had coffee, bagels, and muffins ready for us at 3 so we could get a jumpstart on the trail. It wasn’t until 4:45 that we took off…maybe it was our psychological way of saying we didn’t want to leave?!
The ten mile hike took me approximately 4.5 hours to complete. Through most of the hike I was alone.
All of us had to find our stride and maintain it in order to make it through the heat. We accomplished more than ½ of the hike before the beautiful sunrise.
But those last 2 ½ miles were nearly full sun as we tackled the toughest incline on the hike. The switchbacks during the last mile offered shade and I would use those locations as a motivation to keep moving. I would stop for 30 seconds, drink some Gatorade and have a Pomegranate Passion Honey Stinger to refuel. These soft gels provided the energy boost needed to get to the top quickly.
I can still see Greg at the top of the canyon cheering me on as I took my last few steps. There were tears of happiness for all that we accomplished and for beating the heat, of course.
For the next 2 hours, the rest of our 40 members arrived. The extra 2 flew in by helicopter and the rest of us changed our clothes and wiped down our dusty legs and arms with some water and paper towels. Before we knew it we were arriving back at the Hyatt in Phoenix where we packed up, enjoyed real showers and got dressed up for a celebration dinner in the Compass Restaurant on the 22nd floor of our hotel. Our team was all dressed up, and enjoyed re-capping some favorite events from the trip over a four-star meal.
PS I don’t remember falling asleep this evening. I think part of my body had fallen asleep as early as during dinner.
June 7th Homeward Bound
Departure Day. The day I developed- PHD (post hike depression). The flight home was fine, the good-byes when we parted ways in Newark ~ not so fine. Our team had entered the Canyon as a team and left as a family. We will forever be bonded with one of the most wonderful experiences of our lives.
Things We’ve Learned (Compliments of our Team of 11)
1. The colors and magnitude of the canyon simply cannot be duplicated in a photograph!
2. If you smile at people when you are hiking the steepest part of the canyon, you don't look happy- you look delirious!
3. Dogs in the canyon have to be friendly or they don't get to grow up :(
4. It is amazing how a flood a few years ago can destroy and create new waterfalls.
5. Composting toilets are not as disgusting as they sound! But be careful not to pass out in the 130+ degree temperatures inside of them!
6. You will feel sweaty and tired after a day of hiking in the desert but your guides will look perfectly beautiful!
7. A waterfall in the desert really does look like paradise!
8. Your mind is more powerful than your body!
9. Camping isn’t so bad if you have AOA guides preparing 4 star meals for you!
10. What happens in the Canyon, stays in the Canyon!
June 2nd, 2010 Arrival in Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix welcomed us in the late morning of June 2nd and we were escorted to the Hyatt, where we would be staying for Night One of our journey. After settling in with our roommates, our group of 11 (Alan, Roger, Robert, Greg, Lisa, Lizzie, Danielle G, Peggy, Jill, Carra and I) decided to sample the city’s hot spots of shops and restaurants. Sam’s Café was the perfect location to make our first toast to our journey. A few pitchers of “Grand Canyon Margaritas” (special ingredient~ Prickly Pear) and some sweet and spicy homemade Tostitos were enjoyed by all.
Following lunch, Lizzie, Carra and I decided to cool off our Leukemia/Lymphoma-inspired toes (green and purple!) on the sidewalk fountains! So refreshing in the 100+ degree temperatures!
After hitting a shop or two, Carra, Greg and I indulged Carra’s love of volleyball at the Arizona Convention Center where we watched some of the US Volleyball Open. Others went to pick up some last minute items for members of the team, some napped, and others enjoyed the sun at the pool.
In the evening, we met up for dinner at the hotel with Tracy, who is a coordinator for the LLS hike. She shared our morning’s itinerary plan and we got to meet Sandra and Edward~ two additions to the 42 hikers who’d be heading to Havasu in a couple of days.
After dinner, our group decided that we should head into town for some Cold Stone ice cream and Alan decided to call a group meeting. We rallied around a couple of outdoor benches and Alan led the “Awards” ceremony under the light of the moon.
We each got a tent stake as a token of our training session while Alan gave us each a moment in the “spotlight” by saying some kind words about each of us.
We ended our night around 10 p.m., after a night cap in the hotel bar.
A combination of time zone differences, the heat and a full day of new experiences set the stage for a restful evening!
P.S. Why did they arrange for us to stay the night in Phoenix? We were 5 hours from the Canyon in a place that had very little ‘life”. MAYBE, it was so that anyone who was THINKING about turning back could do so? The airport was only 5 miles or so away….
June 3rd Off to the Caverns Inn
We had to be packed and ready to leave for the Caverns Inn by 12:30 today. Over a room-service breakfast of steel-cut oats, yogurt and berries, and an egg and zucchini frittata- Carra and I down-sized our travel gear to a backpack and small duffel bag. A few cups of excellent coffee helped us through all of the challenges that come along with packing!
We had an hour and ½ to spare before we were to meet the group. We taxied to the Heard Museum to do a little tourist shopping and pick up our lunch for our 4 hour van ride. Carra got some Native American earrings and a bolo for our grandfather. I was very caught up in the life-size, pillow-soft sheep!
Our team met up with more LLS teams at 12:30, where after our “hellos”, we boarded the vans.
ALL 42 of us, heading for the same adventure, all for different reasons…very interesting, I must say. The four hour ride offered lots of opportunities for personal gratification (ie a good nap for me). Lizzie decorated her backpack with ribbons honoring and remembering loved ones, we shared stories, and enjoyed the scenery.
Our “Inn” was ummm…. Well, I guess rustic? That’s probably the best way to describe it. We were given a half an hour to get settled in our room prior to meeting for the inspiration dinner. I was surprised to be recognized for being the 3rd highest fund raiser for this LLS event. I was given a hiking journal, hat and LLS pin. Had I known I was going to be in the spotlight, I might have dressed better!
Dinner was located a mile away on the hotel property. If you can picture an $8.95 buffet-special…. You are probably right on the money. Spaghetti, meatballs, iceberg lettuce…get the picture? With 42 of us, it took a ½ hour before there was enough pasta and spice cake to feed the clan (… I opted for dessert first!) Our group was split with some of us eating inside, some outside. We all decided we would walk back to the inn that evening after taking a few group pictures.
A day full of travel and the time change made us all hungry for some fresh air.
Once we arrived back to the caverns, we did our final packing and visited our guides to load up our Camelbacks. I picked up a bottle of high SPF sunscreen, before turning in for the night. Did I mention we showered up in what would be the last “real” opportunity to clean up? I silently groaned, and set the alarm for 5:15 a.m.
P.S. I still can’t believe I am doing this. Like, really? Bio-degradable body wash and shampoo? Limited face care products? “Outdoor” bathrooms? I was feeling a full-blown panic attack come on as I closed my eyes and dreamed about simple pleasures- like showers… in a real shower. And an outlet, for my blackberry.
June 4th, 2010 Havasu Canyon, here I come!
We were ready for breakfast on time Friday morning. Some of us (Robert and Greg!) were still on Jersey time and were ready to hit the Canyon at 2 a.m.! Luckily for them, they were fully showered and packed extra early, but were easily able to lie down and catch a few more hours of sleep (once they figured out that no one else was up!). Breakfast offered many choices for our varied appetites- granola and yogurt, fruit, and hot foods like eggs and pancakes. We were encouraged to add ice into our “bladders” and empty our “natural” bladders in our final restroom! (Am I really doing this?!)
The ride to the Havasu Canyon (located along the south rim of the Grand Canyon) took approximately an hour. Our guides wanted us on the trail nice and early as they anticipated the blistering heat to come. As we pulled our vans into the parking lot, we all finalized our checklists. We had the chance to use the port a potty (I was opting not to~ the odors were deadly), confirm that our duffel bags and sleeping equipment had arrived and was ready to be loaded on the horses.
We packed our lunches, said farewell to those heading into the camp by helicopter,
and began our descent into one of the most breath-taking natural wonders I have ever seen.
(Now there is the mindset that I needed to enjoy this great opportunity!)
The trails were primarily downhill with a mix of varied terrain. There was a mix of loose sand, drive-way like stony paths and dirt trails… It was difficult to keep your eyes on your feet when the sights all around were so tempting! The horses (and in some cases, the mules) dominated the trails quite often, but provided us with a much needed break in our travels. They carried everything from coolers to people and they were on a mission. They often had thirsty dogs following close by, and once, the dog bit a mule’s leg which helped increase the mule’s pace!
Approximately six miles into the hike, we rounded up our teams on a dirt trail along side a crystal clear Havasu Creek. It was the perfect opportunity to remove our boots and socks, throw on some water shoes and jump in! The current was brisk, carrying us over some rocks and dumping us into a wider, more peaceful place in the stream. Many of us went in with the clothes we were hiking in- mostly because we were so hot (I mean, soooo hot), we really didn’t want to wait any longer for relief. We re-fueled with our back pack lunch of salami, cheeses and crackers and dried fruits before preparing to finish out our Day 1 hike. The final 2 hours were during the hottest part of the day. Temperatures escalated to 100+ degrees in the shade. I hadn’t put my boots back on, I figured I would give my Vibram 5s a whirl for the remainder of the hike. They were pretty comfortable, but the sand beneath our feet was so doggone hot- and it was endless! We were thankfaul to reach the Supai village where many of us indulged in ice-cream bars and cold drinks (I didn’t think twice about grabbing a frozen Snickers ice cream bar). The Supai Community was made up of places such as: The General Store, Café’, School and post office.
The post office is the only one where mail is delivered in and out by mule! Many of us bought post cards to write while at camp. The last mile of the hike was the hardest. It was so uncomfortable to be hiking in the heat and even though we weren’t carrying all of our supplies, we were carrying backpacks with 15 lbs. of gear.
Thank God for the amazing views as we approached camp! We passed the first waterfall and swimming hole and I can still feel the fear as I watched other tourists jump from the waterfall into the turquoise blue and honey-dew colored waters. Our entrance to the campground started with more falls, named Havasu Falls. The falls cascaded into more of a “swimming pool” comprised of blues and greens.
I was certainly feeling delirious at this point, from the heat and exhaustion…but with a simple smile I began wondering ~ could I have died and reached paradise?
Our camp was right around the corner from Havasu Falls. As we arrived, I was happy to see our AOA guides had set up our tents, a full blown kitchen (like something you’d see on “Iron Chef”) and canopy-covered picnic tables. Tears came to my eyes when I saw the stream of green and purple honorary flags with names of those enduring Leukemia/Lymphoma. (Here's to you my little Matthew!)
We had a “camp meeting” with details that didn’t extend beyond the day to come. We were encouraged to live and breathe only “the here and now”. AOA’s philosophy was to meditate on the moment and incorporate all of your senses into those moments, because the trip would be gone before we knew it~ leaving only the memories captured in our heads and hearts. This was hard for me to do, being such a “planner” and all. I embraced the philosophy and vowed to de-tox from the world of watches, e-mail and life’s business.
Our tents were equipped with twin-sized pads where we would lay out our sleeping bags for the next two nights. Our bags had arrived prior to us, so we claimed our items, placed valuables in the lock box…snacks in a sealed box and headed back up hill to Havasu Falls. The composting outhouses were about 300 yards from camp. The heat inside of those and our tents was approximately 135 degrees. I don’t think I would be alone in saying that this was one of those moments I didn’t want to “live and breathe” in!
Havasu Falls pool was approximately 75 degrees, which helped drop our body temperature to normalcy rather quickly. It was necessary to wear your water shoes as the bottom of the pools were covered with sharp rock, stone, and pebbles. We spent time sitting on the rock ledge, soaking in the warmth of the sun as the mists from the waterfalls tickled our warm skin. Very refreshing!
Dinner was at 5:30. It began with appetizers of cheese, crackers, and fruit. Dinner was amazing: steak, chicken, grilled mushrooms and onions, quinoa and roasted asparagus. The meal was topped off with carrot cake. It was at dinner time that some of the LLS hikers shared their stories of personal pain, loss and in some cases triumph. The emotions ran nearly as high as the Canyon’s temperatures at many points. Through those stories the bonds broadened beyond our team of 11 and comfort was shared throughout the camp.
This evening, we bathed along side of our tents in the creek that babbled down from the Falls. With water shoes on and bathing suits, we carried our clothing (that needed rinsing) and our bio-degradable soap for washing. The first night we bathed a bit too far up stream and the current totally pulled Carra from her feet and carried her down stream. With my hair lathered in a full citrus-scented mess, I stood up and screamed “Someone grab my sister!” It was one of those stomach-quaking-from-laughter moments as she assumed her footing in a more peaceful section of the pool. There was a clothesline for us to dry our things and if there wasn’t space, clothing dried just as quickly on top of our tent!
Evening allowed us to change our clothes in our tents, and prepare our packs for the next day. The guides set out a buffet of lunch items for us to choose from and place into our coolers. You could select turkey and ham or you could make pb and j (which is our team’s favorite!). They had nuts and dried fruit packs, peanut m&ms (oh my gosh, I was so craving chocolate!) and apples/oranges. We accessed water from a spring and set up our prepared packs for Day 2.
PS I have a “thing” for the moon and stars and in the Canyon, I developed an obsession for them. You could see the planet Venus right off the tip of the Canyon’s edge and the stars sprinkled the sky like a little boy’s freckled face. Under the night sky on the first evening, our NJ group gathered together and held on to one another tightly. It was one of the most meaningful group hugs that I have ever shared. No picture was needed for that. That memory will forever be preserved in my heart.
PSS Swarovski makes a moon and stars necklace that I bought as a memory of the Canyon. I wear it often, especially on days when I wish I had that group to hug!
June 5th Enchanted Forests and Waterfalls
I was a bit apprehensive for today. I had never hiked 2 days in a row and with the added challenge of the sun, I was fearful that I would miss some amazing opportunities if I didn’t change my thinking. I thought about the advice written in a great book by C.Dweck titled MindSet. I reminded myself that my abilities were governed by my mind. I trained hard for the Canyon, I knew I was physically prepared. So over breakfast of Canyon coffee, blueberry pancakes, sausage links, eggs with green peppers and mushrooms,
I decided to “improvise and overcome (my husband’s final words to me before we parted!) and get my blisters taped up by one of the guides.
Much to my pleasure, the teal-colored tape did wonders for the pain I was feeling. Today, many of us wore water shorts and swim suit tops. Our group had four great guides who took us on hidden trails and through an Enchanted Forest and Cave. For those teachers among us, this day was so differentiated. We had choices to take part in, based upon our ability (or mindset!). Our guides told us up front what to expect with each experience. The Enchanted Forest was reached by descending down dirt steps and across streams. My Vibram 5s came in so handy. Those suckers were so “grippy” on the ascent into the enchanted trail. There was a lot of rock climbing, gazing at ceilings of cave-like creations and “five points of contact” descents out of the forest.
It was challenging but it was shaded and tons of fun. The 2nd part of our venture was to the falls we saw on our way into the cavern the day before. 
It took no time to take our packs off and jump into the water. There was a “peace sign” tree trunk that you could climb to access a jumping ledge into the pool. THIS WAS MORE SCARY than jumping into the waterfalls that were to come. The trunk was slippery and had a steep incline. One of the guides stood near the top to offer extra stability. Carra and I jumped together, others dove, did back flips and jumped solely.
We decided to hug the side of the watering hole and progress toward the falls. The pull of the current made this difficult and scary. In fact, later in the day when we took the same path downstream, the current pulled me off the side and into the middle of the pool. I kept my hands in front of me to help break any potential contact with the razor sharp rock structure that were in sections of the pool. I lucked out with no injuries while others left with scrapes and cuts. The waterfalls were strong, white drenching sheets of water that had two jumping off points. Our guides led us to the lower ledges. We had to climb muddy and wet rocks up to the falls. They were slippery and in some parts, steep. I remember screaming when my sister and I felt the mists and initial streams from above. We hadn’t even jumped yet and I was already celebrating! We plunged twice into the falls and rose to the cheers from the rest of the team. Our time at the falls ended with our guides doing back flips and jumps off the top of the falls.
Our midday lunch was held back at camp. I was so glad to pull out my peanut M&Ms which I had (genuisly) tucked against my water bladder in my bag. To my amazement, they were not melted! After some re-taping of mine and Carra’s feet (Carra and I had a blister in the exact same spot on the same foot!) another group of us headed down to Mooney Falls- located approximately a mile out of camp. I stayed on the Margarita Deck where the guides gave an overview of the plan/strategy for climbing down into Mooney.
I couldn’t find my comfort level to do this challenge. I knew there’d be only rope ladders and chains in some areas to get down half of the falls. A combo of “fear of heights’ and the heat aided my decision to head back to the swimming hole to cool off. More members of our team joined us in swimming, reading, writing postcards and simply relaxing before dinner. I was so excited to see Carra and Greg return from Mooney. They told the rest of us all about the adventure and fear factor of the descent.
Dinner that evening was amazing. The appetizers included cheese quesadilla triangles with guacamole and various salsas, fresh pineapple and watermelon slices. Dinner was fajitas with grilled peppers and onions, and a Spanish rice dish. Before dessert, more people shared their stories, one of which was extremely touching to me. Ed, who had joined us the initial evening in Phoenix had lost his son Kyle to leukemia a year before. A group of us sat with him and listened to the stories of the struggles that are only near and dear to family members who unwillingly accept the “treatment” tolls associated with cancer. My face was aflame from the day’s activities already (and from the lack of quality skin care regimes). But I swear, I “blotched” up ten fold as I sobbed alongside of him and a group of four others. It’s times like this where you feel guilty for what occupies your time in every day life. That night, I really missed dessert (sugar and cinnamon crisps with honey and chocolate sauces) and nearly missed the chance to pack a lunch. Good thing for Carra. She filled up our bladders and began to take apart our tent for our early morning departure.
We decided to sleep on a tarp in our sleeping bags and enjoy our final night under the stars. I turned my boots upside down to keep the scorpions from going in, kept my head lamp nearby in preparation for our 3 a.m. wake up and then rested my head on my fleece jacket (pillow) for the night. I had bittersweet emotions that evening- I don’t think they need to be explained.
PS It wasn’t until I was in the stream this evening that I realized I hadn’t missed my cell phone or reality, for that matter. Talk about a true de-tox for the body and mind.
June 6th Ascending to the Top
“Guys! It’s 3:23!” Carra, Greg and I work up to blaring headlamps from our teammates. There was a gentle evening breeze and only the light of the stars in the sky to help us get ready for the long haul ahead. We all agreed our headlamp etiquette was less than desirable, which resulted in packing them up with our belongings. Our awesome guides had coffee, bagels, and muffins ready for us at 3 so we could get a jumpstart on the trail. It wasn’t until 4:45 that we took off…maybe it was our psychological way of saying we didn’t want to leave?!
The ten mile hike took me approximately 4.5 hours to complete. Through most of the hike I was alone.
All of us had to find our stride and maintain it in order to make it through the heat. We accomplished more than ½ of the hike before the beautiful sunrise.
But those last 2 ½ miles were nearly full sun as we tackled the toughest incline on the hike. The switchbacks during the last mile offered shade and I would use those locations as a motivation to keep moving. I would stop for 30 seconds, drink some Gatorade and have a Pomegranate Passion Honey Stinger to refuel. These soft gels provided the energy boost needed to get to the top quickly.
I can still see Greg at the top of the canyon cheering me on as I took my last few steps. There were tears of happiness for all that we accomplished and for beating the heat, of course.
For the next 2 hours, the rest of our 40 members arrived. The extra 2 flew in by helicopter and the rest of us changed our clothes and wiped down our dusty legs and arms with some water and paper towels. Before we knew it we were arriving back at the Hyatt in Phoenix where we packed up, enjoyed real showers and got dressed up for a celebration dinner in the Compass Restaurant on the 22nd floor of our hotel. Our team was all dressed up, and enjoyed re-capping some favorite events from the trip over a four-star meal.
PS I don’t remember falling asleep this evening. I think part of my body had fallen asleep as early as during dinner.
June 7th Homeward Bound
Departure Day. The day I developed- PHD (post hike depression). The flight home was fine, the good-byes when we parted ways in Newark ~ not so fine. Our team had entered the Canyon as a team and left as a family. We will forever be bonded with one of the most wonderful experiences of our lives.
Things We’ve Learned (Compliments of our Team of 11)
1. The colors and magnitude of the canyon simply cannot be duplicated in a photograph!
2. If you smile at people when you are hiking the steepest part of the canyon, you don't look happy- you look delirious!
3. Dogs in the canyon have to be friendly or they don't get to grow up :(
4. It is amazing how a flood a few years ago can destroy and create new waterfalls.
5. Composting toilets are not as disgusting as they sound! But be careful not to pass out in the 130+ degree temperatures inside of them!
6. You will feel sweaty and tired after a day of hiking in the desert but your guides will look perfectly beautiful!
7. A waterfall in the desert really does look like paradise!
8. Your mind is more powerful than your body!
9. Camping isn’t so bad if you have AOA guides preparing 4 star meals for you!
10. What happens in the Canyon, stays in the Canyon!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sam's Point, NY
5/8/10
I was rather excited to wake up for my final training hike on this spring Saturday morning. The day before’s summer-like weather had me day dreaming about blueberry picking and summer time picnics and I knew from past experience that hikes in NY were filled with blossoming blueberry bushes. I was at Carra’s by 5:30 in the morning and from the time she hopped into the car until the time we arrived at the Northern Shawangunks, she continued to talk. Now, I like good conversation but I was caught up in the fact that the sky continued to turn darker and darker and I distinctly saw 2 bolts of lightning lighting up the morning heavens. We took multiple different routes to arrive at our destination; from different parkway exits to turns down neighborhood streets – and I blame all of this on Carra and her gift of gab!
By the time we pulled into Sam’s Point, it was drizzling. The weather forecast called for spotty showers and it was certainly going to clear up by mid day. No one doubted Alan and Roger who determine if a hike will be canceled or not due to unsafe weather conditions, but the weather put a damper on my mood regardless.
In an effort to not ruin my final blog before the canyon, I will just say that if you are going to hike in the rain- be sure you are equipped with the right equipment. The first hour of our hike was a bit um, shall we say tense. Our spotty showers turned into teaming downpours of rain and the cooler NY conditions made it less than enjoyable (for me… others seemed quite content). I was wishing that I had invested in a pair of rain pants (I did have a rain coat!) and a backpack cover.
I was very happy when we reached the Ice Caves. Regardless of the fact that they were freezing cold, I was excited to get some coverage from the rain. At the first site of cover, we took off our packs and Roger gave me a pair of extra rain pants that he had carried along. (He might have been tired of listening to me whine). My sister rang my pants out, I changed, and we all shared 2 chocolate donut sticks from Dunkin Donuts. They were a bit soggy because my back pack was soaked (inside and out), but somehow, each bite was a bit comforting on this dreary wet and cold day.
I was totally psyched to put on my new headlamp for our adventure into the cave. Lizzie had the largest and brightest, but mine was certainly the cutest with its pink band and pink edging.
The Ice Caves are entered by ladders and stone steps that descend into a cleft between huge conglomerate walls. The trail proceeds through a maze of overhanging and fallen slabs of conglomerate, along the base of the cliff and through tunnel-like passageways. Remnants of winter were evidenced along the pathways, some still snow/ice covered. (Roger, thanks for loaning me the Scenes and Walks in the Northern Shawangunks by Jack Fagan… that’s where I got the details for this paragraph!)
When we ascended from the ice caves, the fog was lifting and the rain had stopped. Alan looked at me with an “I told ya so” look that I tried very hard not to smile about. Our walk to Stony Kill Falls was pretty uneventful. Outside of Lizzie taking a (very graceful!) tumble into the blueberry bushes, we all arrived at the 87 foot-high falls in one piece.
Some of us decided to hang our clothes out to dry, while others of us started up the traveling stove for some miso soup and coffee.
It was a time for drying out, filling up with a hearty lunch, and a time to converse with another Team in Training!
Lizzie ran into a group from NY who was planning to do the one-day trip to the Canyon. We loved being able to say that we were doing the 3- day trip!
After lunch, Roger pointed across the valley to this tiny tower (well, it was tiny from where we were) and told us that was where we were headed. Okay, honestly, this tower looked like it was on another continent. To get to it, it would mean that we would need to go down the mountain and back up to arrive at our destination. The next few hours (7 ½ total) were enjoyed due to the sunshine and breeze, the beautiful and rare flowers, and some unfortunate tumbles (but funny!) .
Alan took a flop and I had to whip out my band-aid and first aid kit. Lizzie was not impressed that I was not following Universal Precautions as I disinfected his cut up arm and palm with a wipe and some water from Roger’s canteen. His skin was sprinkled with dirt that looked like coffee grinds, so when he least expected it- I ripped off the piece of flapping skin and quickly applied pressure to stop the bleeding. I would have used my band aids from my kit, but, they too were soaked from the morning’s teaming down pours. Good thing for Alan, he had “waterproofed” his first aid kit and we were able to apply antibiotic ointment and a clean (and dry!) band aid to his skin before continuing on the hike.
As I mentioned the sun improved our moods all the way around, but one of the last smiles was when I saw the berry pickin sign. I mean, didn’t I say I wanted to berry pick? I will definitely have to come back and hit the berry trail in July!
Once we hit the carriage road, Roger told us we were on the last 2 miles of the hike. Carra and I blazed ahead of the crew, eager to get to this towering structure that supposedly was at the end of our hike. Before we knew it, there was the tower. In all of its “non-natural” glory. And there was the final smile of the day!
Our hike ended with a hello from Angus, the really pretty cinnamon colored dog and his owner that we spoke to as we neared the parking lot. Angus’ owner told us of a great Mexican place for dinner which was excellent for fresh guacamole and Mexican dishes. As if we didn’t have enough of one another, we decided to stop at a shop that featured homemade ice-cream and cheesecake on a stick. I got the latter. Chocolate dipped.
So now, there is one more training hike at the end of May. It is a day that I am unable to attend. I can’t believe that the next time I will put on my hiking shoes; I will be heading into the canyon with my team of 11.
I was rather excited to wake up for my final training hike on this spring Saturday morning. The day before’s summer-like weather had me day dreaming about blueberry picking and summer time picnics and I knew from past experience that hikes in NY were filled with blossoming blueberry bushes. I was at Carra’s by 5:30 in the morning and from the time she hopped into the car until the time we arrived at the Northern Shawangunks, she continued to talk. Now, I like good conversation but I was caught up in the fact that the sky continued to turn darker and darker and I distinctly saw 2 bolts of lightning lighting up the morning heavens. We took multiple different routes to arrive at our destination; from different parkway exits to turns down neighborhood streets – and I blame all of this on Carra and her gift of gab!
By the time we pulled into Sam’s Point, it was drizzling. The weather forecast called for spotty showers and it was certainly going to clear up by mid day. No one doubted Alan and Roger who determine if a hike will be canceled or not due to unsafe weather conditions, but the weather put a damper on my mood regardless.
In an effort to not ruin my final blog before the canyon, I will just say that if you are going to hike in the rain- be sure you are equipped with the right equipment. The first hour of our hike was a bit um, shall we say tense. Our spotty showers turned into teaming downpours of rain and the cooler NY conditions made it less than enjoyable (for me… others seemed quite content). I was wishing that I had invested in a pair of rain pants (I did have a rain coat!) and a backpack cover.
I was very happy when we reached the Ice Caves. Regardless of the fact that they were freezing cold, I was excited to get some coverage from the rain. At the first site of cover, we took off our packs and Roger gave me a pair of extra rain pants that he had carried along. (He might have been tired of listening to me whine). My sister rang my pants out, I changed, and we all shared 2 chocolate donut sticks from Dunkin Donuts. They were a bit soggy because my back pack was soaked (inside and out), but somehow, each bite was a bit comforting on this dreary wet and cold day.
I was totally psyched to put on my new headlamp for our adventure into the cave. Lizzie had the largest and brightest, but mine was certainly the cutest with its pink band and pink edging.
The Ice Caves are entered by ladders and stone steps that descend into a cleft between huge conglomerate walls. The trail proceeds through a maze of overhanging and fallen slabs of conglomerate, along the base of the cliff and through tunnel-like passageways. Remnants of winter were evidenced along the pathways, some still snow/ice covered. (Roger, thanks for loaning me the Scenes and Walks in the Northern Shawangunks by Jack Fagan… that’s where I got the details for this paragraph!)
When we ascended from the ice caves, the fog was lifting and the rain had stopped. Alan looked at me with an “I told ya so” look that I tried very hard not to smile about. Our walk to Stony Kill Falls was pretty uneventful. Outside of Lizzie taking a (very graceful!) tumble into the blueberry bushes, we all arrived at the 87 foot-high falls in one piece.
Some of us decided to hang our clothes out to dry, while others of us started up the traveling stove for some miso soup and coffee.
It was a time for drying out, filling up with a hearty lunch, and a time to converse with another Team in Training!
Lizzie ran into a group from NY who was planning to do the one-day trip to the Canyon. We loved being able to say that we were doing the 3- day trip!
After lunch, Roger pointed across the valley to this tiny tower (well, it was tiny from where we were) and told us that was where we were headed. Okay, honestly, this tower looked like it was on another continent. To get to it, it would mean that we would need to go down the mountain and back up to arrive at our destination. The next few hours (7 ½ total) were enjoyed due to the sunshine and breeze, the beautiful and rare flowers, and some unfortunate tumbles (but funny!) .
Alan took a flop and I had to whip out my band-aid and first aid kit. Lizzie was not impressed that I was not following Universal Precautions as I disinfected his cut up arm and palm with a wipe and some water from Roger’s canteen. His skin was sprinkled with dirt that looked like coffee grinds, so when he least expected it- I ripped off the piece of flapping skin and quickly applied pressure to stop the bleeding. I would have used my band aids from my kit, but, they too were soaked from the morning’s teaming down pours. Good thing for Alan, he had “waterproofed” his first aid kit and we were able to apply antibiotic ointment and a clean (and dry!) band aid to his skin before continuing on the hike.
As I mentioned the sun improved our moods all the way around, but one of the last smiles was when I saw the berry pickin sign. I mean, didn’t I say I wanted to berry pick? I will definitely have to come back and hit the berry trail in July!
Once we hit the carriage road, Roger told us we were on the last 2 miles of the hike. Carra and I blazed ahead of the crew, eager to get to this towering structure that supposedly was at the end of our hike. Before we knew it, there was the tower. In all of its “non-natural” glory. And there was the final smile of the day!
Our hike ended with a hello from Angus, the really pretty cinnamon colored dog and his owner that we spoke to as we neared the parking lot. Angus’ owner told us of a great Mexican place for dinner which was excellent for fresh guacamole and Mexican dishes. As if we didn’t have enough of one another, we decided to stop at a shop that featured homemade ice-cream and cheesecake on a stick. I got the latter. Chocolate dipped.
So now, there is one more training hike at the end of May. It is a day that I am unable to attend. I can’t believe that the next time I will put on my hiking shoes; I will be heading into the canyon with my team of 11.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
New Paltz, NY 4-17-10
Do you have a Bucket List? If so, put New Paltz on it as a “MUST SEE” place to go. (if you don't... wait... really?) Make a note to stay somewhere other than the Blueberry Inn... I would recommend checking into the Minnewaska Lodge! (http://minnewaskalodge.com/)
I have to admit, I wasn’t “into” the hike this week. I felt challenged by committing so much time away from home and work to hike for 9 hours and travel for 5. I was caught up in the little things of life (which I often think are way too important) and lost track of the big picture. I truly think if Carra and I hadn’t stayed over in NY on Friday night, we would have bailed out of the hike on Saturday morning. The weather was not working in our favor – it was cold, foggy and rainy, Carra was still dealing with her broken foot, and really, both of us were feeding one another bad energy.
Attending the hike was the best medicine for all of us. It was a full day, nearly 9 hours of hiking 26,000 steps, (10 miles) and burning 2,900 calories with a cumulative elevation of 6,000 feet. It had been quite some time since we hiked with our team and it was great to catch up on our personal and work lives. We spent quite some time talking about our upcoming event in the Canyon (only about 6 weeks from now)!
This hike was along Minnewaska and Mohonk Trails to a place called Gertrude’s Nose. Some of the surprises along the way were the flowering wild blueberry bushes, the view of the top of a bird as it soared at an elevation just below where we were, and the fact that the fog lifted and opened up some sun-filled trails for us!
This hike included views of a beautiful cave (you would need ropes, at the very least to explore down there!) and crevasses that would challenge anyone who was fearful of heights. There were areas of steep inclines on flat slat-like rocks, and areas of steep inclines on ridged, narrow boulders. There wasn’t any time to cloud your mind with the things that don’t matter during this day… it was way more fun focusing on accomplishing the challenge of not falling!
I did wipe out on this hike, (only once) but I am not really sure how it happened. We were going downhill and the rocks were flat (thank goodness) and covered with some pine needles.
The pine needles were pillow-soft beneath our feet, but they were super slippery too. Like I said, I am not sure what I actually did, but I landed on my rear end with my shoulders braced between two rocks. It took me a minute to check if everything was still functioning, before hopping back up and regaining my spot in line among my hiking buddies.
The views from the top of Gertrude’s Nose were just breath taking. It was so quiet (we only saw 2 other hikers the whole day), almost demanding that we silently appreciate the beauty of the views.
We were ready to relax at The Gilded Otter after the hike. We were all wind blown and our cheeks were pinched-pink. We used this dinner break as a chance to discuss our next hike (NJ and PA side of the Water Gap). Carra and I liked the area so much we decided to stop for a visit at the Minnewaska Lodge where we collected pamphlets on nearby spas (of course), and things to do in the New Paltz area because we are DEFINITELY going back to visit!
I have to admit, I wasn’t “into” the hike this week. I felt challenged by committing so much time away from home and work to hike for 9 hours and travel for 5. I was caught up in the little things of life (which I often think are way too important) and lost track of the big picture. I truly think if Carra and I hadn’t stayed over in NY on Friday night, we would have bailed out of the hike on Saturday morning. The weather was not working in our favor – it was cold, foggy and rainy, Carra was still dealing with her broken foot, and really, both of us were feeding one another bad energy.
Attending the hike was the best medicine for all of us. It was a full day, nearly 9 hours of hiking 26,000 steps, (10 miles) and burning 2,900 calories with a cumulative elevation of 6,000 feet. It had been quite some time since we hiked with our team and it was great to catch up on our personal and work lives. We spent quite some time talking about our upcoming event in the Canyon (only about 6 weeks from now)!
This hike was along Minnewaska and Mohonk Trails to a place called Gertrude’s Nose. Some of the surprises along the way were the flowering wild blueberry bushes, the view of the top of a bird as it soared at an elevation just below where we were, and the fact that the fog lifted and opened up some sun-filled trails for us!
This hike included views of a beautiful cave (you would need ropes, at the very least to explore down there!) and crevasses that would challenge anyone who was fearful of heights. There were areas of steep inclines on flat slat-like rocks, and areas of steep inclines on ridged, narrow boulders. There wasn’t any time to cloud your mind with the things that don’t matter during this day… it was way more fun focusing on accomplishing the challenge of not falling!
I did wipe out on this hike, (only once) but I am not really sure how it happened. We were going downhill and the rocks were flat (thank goodness) and covered with some pine needles.
The pine needles were pillow-soft beneath our feet, but they were super slippery too. Like I said, I am not sure what I actually did, but I landed on my rear end with my shoulders braced between two rocks. It took me a minute to check if everything was still functioning, before hopping back up and regaining my spot in line among my hiking buddies.
The views from the top of Gertrude’s Nose were just breath taking. It was so quiet (we only saw 2 other hikers the whole day), almost demanding that we silently appreciate the beauty of the views.
We were ready to relax at The Gilded Otter after the hike. We were all wind blown and our cheeks were pinched-pink. We used this dinner break as a chance to discuss our next hike (NJ and PA side of the Water Gap). Carra and I liked the area so much we decided to stop for a visit at the Minnewaska Lodge where we collected pamphlets on nearby spas (of course), and things to do in the New Paltz area because we are DEFINITELY going back to visit!
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