The GC Finish

On the way back up to the top of the South Rim from the River I knew that I should be seeing drinking water. Well, I knew that it was available.

At the same time I knew I needed to make sure to focus on my breathing since I'd been told that at that elevation, at that time of the day, & within the Canyon's walls, what would seem to be easy enough for me, would be more intense; that essentially my lungs would be looking for air to breathe & there wouldn't be any - even though, being that I was outside, air was seemingly all around me.

No, I'm no expert on this, so even how I'm wording it isn't anything close to scholarly or accurate. What I do know is that I made my way back up the South Rim about the same way I'd made my way down it - except I'd used a different trail...Which I did find to be good because I got to experience more than just the one trail.

I did a good job of not stopping, or pausing too much during my climb. I'd learned about keeping these damp & on my head or around my neck (which is where I pinned the one I had with me). Essentially when a small stream, that I could easily stoop near would appear, I'd dunk it in & re-wrap it around my neck & clip it in place with a safety pin. I took a few photos, though no more than half a dozen probably (& in a few different spots), & continued concentrating on making my way.

The next "thing" was realizing that the evening darkness is different from the early morning darkness. And my defense is that I began descending the South Kaibab Trail shortly after the first shuttle was able to transport me from where I'd parked at the Backcountry Office to the Trailhead, which was several hours prior to the sun's rise.

I'd only needed to use this before dawn. And was therefore able to hold each of these in separate hands. As I climbed the Bright Angel Trail, it was inevitable, I would definitely need to use this, which had been one of a few last-minute-in-case-of-emergency purchases. So I began holding these in one hand, this in the other. And that's how I spent the final hours.

It wasn't the most comfortable hand-held arrangement, although when running on adrenaline & pure excitement, with a keen awareness that a goal is about to be reached, well, a suitable 😂 analogy is that same feeling when the finish line is at 26.2 miles & Mile Marker 21 has recently been left in the dust. Eyes are on the prize! 😍

Speaking of the 26.2 finish line 😂… I used this to measure my accomplishments on both the South Kaibab Trail & Bright Angel Trail. I'm aware that their distance accuracy can have some fluctuation.
For me it was slightly accurate, though it left me considering that I'd reached the Rim & would be completed about a half mile sooner than was true.

I'd taken just those maps (out of the half dozen I'd been given) which I needed on the hike to the River. That is, the one which showed the two trails I'd be traveling on, & the one which showed the roads of the South Rim including the lodging & the campgrounds.

I did good with this, yet once I reached the Rim, & then reached for the corresponding map in my backpack's pocket, I found myself reading every street in the park which wasn't on a street sign & vice versa. An associate at the visitor center had mentioned it should be less than a ten minute walk back to the Backcountry Parking Lot, where I'd parked my rental vehicle for the day. Despite relief in knowing that I'd completed the entire uphill climb, I still held great anticipation until I confidently located the correct parking lot. (I'd first found the parking lot for the Engineers Building. 😊)

I did stretch, though it was for significantly less of a percentage of time in comparison to the grand amount of moving & hiking & in different way, using different muscles & movements than I typically would be, therefore - yes, the next day - although I could move, & not that restrictedly, my lower extremities carried a far different sensation than they have following any marathon I've completed.

Here's to new experiences. {raises a glass} Here's to a goal achieved. That's what I'm talking about. 😏

These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here. By clicking any of these links to get to Amazon's site I may get a small share of the sale. Thank You!

The GC Foodie

That's what they call it when you're asking around online: The GC. They shorten the trail names down too. For example, I hiked down the S.K. & then back up the B.A. ...Those are just their initials, not their actual trail names. 😊 I'd learned "the lingo"; I was ready to go. 😉

I learned of the importance of remaining fueled the entire time. Fortunately, what I knew to be the best "constant" fuel, I already had; I didn't need to buy. I packed an equal amount of these & these. I also got my hands on a few of these. Between each of these, I essentially had one of each (maybe two of the former) for each time I pulled one of these out to refill this.

For the "down time" I'd been informed that I'd have once I'd hiked from the South Rim to the River, & before it was advisable to begin the trek back up to the top of the South Rim via the other trail, I realized it'd be best to munch on these, which I made certain to purchase them salted, as I'd learned how much hiking in these conditions, this sort of fitness - that is - the salt is essential for the body, so munch away, I did.

Despite the fact that this should be refrigerated, I packed several of them for each of the three days I'd be away. (What I'd packed, unlike this link, wasn't on ice, etc. Mom was kind of freaking out, as a mother is likely to do. I don't think that I calmed her much by explaining I'd been fine so far eating them in this same [unrefrigerated] manner for the past week or so.) I packed hard-boiled eggs & apples too. Each would provide protein & other vitamins & minerals I'd be looking for during my "down time". And I packed this too. It's not something I typically eat, yet I knew it would be good sustenance for this event & so I bought a package for each day I'd be away.

Although this contains electrolytes, I already knew I enjoyed this, so, especially as it's a tiny container & sure to fit in any crevasse I'd jam it, I enjoyed its energizing benefits & flavor squirted into a partial liter while I sat in the air-conditioning high on adrenaline in anticipation of the rest of the day...Cause my plan all along had been Rim to River & back up to the Rim - all in one day. The South Rim, because it's a longer hike. 😏

These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here. By clicking any of these links to get to Amazon's site I may get a small share of the sale. Thank You!

When You're In Control...

While online setting myself up to conquer this bucket list item, which I'd been getting excited about for over a year, I met some people who were able to well advise me. I received suggestions on how to dress for the hike, what to take to eat, & when to be eating it.

At first it was because I was looking for someone with which to make the hike; I didn't think it would be all that great to hike solo; it really wasn't all that bad. After putting in the time & effort for several weeks to track down someone who'd want to make this hike and want to [read: be able to] make this hike on the same day as I did, I relented & began setting myself up.

When you're in control, you make it happen.

Maybe it was a "control" thing. I'd be able to set up my flight, as well as my rental vehicle knowing that whatever plans I did make were all mine & I wouldn't be inconveniencing anyone except me (in the case that I fouled up some part of the planning! 😎😂).

The first thing I knew I'd need to be packing: these.

Which also brought me to the discovery that I'd need to have checked baggage. These are on the TSA unacceptable-onboard-a-plane list. So be it.

I'd stick this, which I'd used in July into another luggage bag (one I had which was on wheels) so that I'd be able to get by with checking just one bag. These, even when completely collapsed, weren't short enough to fit inside this & also be able to shut it. I then began cooking up more brilliance with what all I would pack in & around the bag inside the bag.

So as not to take up unnecessary, additional spacing, I figured, even though they'd be a slight inconvenience to take off, etc. through airport security, their not being packed, rather, worn would make for maximum additional space-still-available-to-pack-other-things. So be it.

I untied & removed these through the airport security process & then sat comfortable aboard the plane knowing that in wearing these versus these, (remember this post?), no matter the plane's temperature, my feet were bound to be kept cozy.

And they do say if, in being the extremes from the main part of your body, your hands & feet are comfortable & cozy, then the rest of you is sure to be too!

I would then have maximum space to fill in & around with appropriate food, beverage, & even some clothes... 😉

These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here. By clicking any of these links to get to Amazon's site I may get a small share of the sale. Thank You!

It's Smelling a Little Bit Productive

Back in town I was ready to focus on the important things in life. Correcting the remainder of my storage unit (from here & here), setting up plans to check another item off my bucket list, & this, this, & this...especially this & this! After spending nearly a solid month creating dirty laundry, these are the things which make me smile.

Being able to function as an independent, decisive, adult member of society has its rewards. I'd just taken control & polished off a few goals during the previous month. Now I was setting myself up to conquer one more. With my birthday around the corner logic prevailed & I began the "homework" process to know what was most important for me to do in order to properly prepare in order to keep on placing checkmarks within the metaphorical boxes lining the left-hand side of my ever-growing bucket list. 😏

With clean garments sprawled across the carpeted floor after lining the dowel rods of this to maximum capacity, I began searching online for all the pertinent information on what I needed to know for a successful trip & finally hike the Grand Canyon.

Knowing exactly what day I planned to hike made setting up my flight & rental vehicle easiest. Thanks to mapping apps I could confirm the logistics of where I'd need to be & the reality of whether it'd be possible. Based on needing to board a flight about twelve hours sooner than I thought would be practical, I soon learned that the additional hours would be just the right amount that I'd need in order to finish setting myself up for the main event.

First, though, I had roughly a month to gather the best information & make the necessary connections in order to make the most of the long-awaited experience.

These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here. By clicking any of these links to get to Amazon's site I may get a small share of the sale. Thank You!

That's a Lot of Friendship

With a subtitle of: Sleeping Sitting Up 😊

After an accidental small "win" during my next-to-last overnight Greyhound Bus trip [read: sleeping time] where, because I happened to be sitting in one of the last seats toward the bus's back end, I sprawled out over both of the seats on the side of the bus where I'd been sitting. I curled up &, since I had this packed in my carry-on, & therefore accessible & out, I had it wrapping me up - for an added bonus, I also tossed it over my face & head enough to block out the lighting the bus offered, especially when it would stop for its few short breaks.

I learned, from a nearby passenger, that whenever our bus would reach a stop at a station & pick up one or two more passengers, & they'd walk all the way to the back of the bus & see me (& there was one other passenger who'd done the same as I did right behind me), they'd turn & pick to sit with the next passenger over who didn't have someone sitting immediately next to them; essentially the two of us sleeping curled up, taking up two seats each, were left alone to continue our slumber.

This was an immense win & total turn of events from my near frozen-first-night post (click here). To top it off, the following night, when I realized the final overnight bus ride would be a full load of passengers, & that there'd be no way to replicate my previous night's curled-up-slumber.

A gregarious one, I chatted with a few passengers also waiting for their bus while at the final station as there was a nearly forty-five minute layover. In doing so, a highly anxious female inquired with me about her ticket. She was certain that her next bus, because her next layover was one in the same with my final destination, that we would be riding on the same bus. I couldn't confirm that & highly encouraged her to speak with a station associate. Somewhere in that process another passenger got her even more anxious.

Then I checked with a station associate in order to confirm in exactly which boarding line I belonged. I was so excited to board, I at first didn't get into the correct line. 😏😅 Whoops! 😂 I then got myself into the appropriate single-file line & happened to find myself behind a young man headed back to Ireland who'd spent the past three months as the oldest counselor (& definitely the tallest too! He was super tall!) at a kids camp. He'd already aged out as a counselor, yet since it was the final summer he had, post college graduation, he'd been awarded one more final opportunity to be with the camp's kids.

He introduced me to the line-up of these, handmade from these he wore on his lower left forearm. He knew the name of each child who'd made him one, & which one they'd made; he knew each child's story. It was amazing also, because obviously he could've told me anything, made up a likely name for each bracelets creator; he could've even actually just bought these, yet he didn't.

It was genuinely apparent that he did not. That each was made through a process where he made them one, & in turn, they made him one. They may have even picked out the colors & patterns they'd use together. Just like a snowflake, no two could stories, or children, could possibly be the same.

He'd genuinely loved his role as camp counselor & expressed sincere gratitude for spending the additional, final Summertime with his given role.

Sometime after we'd chatted about the purpose of our journeys, we dozed off. Well, he managed to. As tall as he was, over in the window seat, he managed to slouch in such a way that he was out rather quickly. I, on the other hand, overall enjoying the freedom the aisle seat can provide, also had to concern myself with not falling off the seat. That's because the seat my new Irish friend had selected, the one where I'd followed him feeling confident that in sitting next to him, I'd be with good company, happened to be a seat where the aisle's armrest simply wasn't there. So I was comfortable, I just had to pay a different kind of attention whenever the bus moved in certain ways.

After struggling for well over an hour, possibly much longer, I found myself dozing out enough by process of leaning over, my hands & forearms braced on my quadriceps & my head using my hands & forearms as a pillow. It sounds weird, yet it actually worked! And that truly is the most important part!

When we'd woken up due to the driver announcing our arrival in the town (which was my final destination) my Irish seat partner talked about how, when he'd woken for a moment & seen how I was sleeping, he was surprised. I told him I felt the same about how he'd managed to sleep, & so well, being so lengthy & next to the window.

Alas, I was so excited to finally be in my town-of-great-familiarity that I didn't even need help yanking my carry-on from the overhead (the handle on it tended to continue getting caught & be difficult to budge).

These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here. By clicking any of these links to get to Amazon's site I may get a small share of the sale. Thank You!