Epic Fortnight: Day 7

Miles Hiked: 3

Today we went back to the Grand Canyon to hike down the Bright Angel Trail.  Dad had originally said that we were going to hike for six miles, three miles out and three miles back, so I emotionally and physically prepared myself for the task.  It couldn't be harder than being a pirate, right?  I was going to conquer (at least a little bit) of the Grand Canyon!

And so was Dad.

So happy and rugged.

It took about two hours to get to the mile and a half, and I guess the rule of thumb is that it takes twice as long to go back up as it did to go down.  That meant we were looking at a total of six hours of hiking, which would put us right around sundown.  So we turned around, because we wanted to catch the Polar Express at 7:30.

Here's the thing.  It only took us an hour and twenty minutes to make it back up.  I had conserved so much energy going down... I thought we were going twice as long!  And I was no where near spent.  I was ready to go.  Look at me go!

Woo!

Apparently I was just bounding back up, what can I say, I had hit my stride and I was not pushing it.  I was disappointed.  But hiking was so much fun!  It's amazing what the human body can do and endure, and I wasn't even near my edge.  I may have pushed Dad to his limited, though.

Oops.

That's Dad gasping for breath.

I even ended up carrying the backpack.  I want to come back, and I want to come back with someone who can push me.  I want to know the limit.  What can I say, moderation is not my thing.

Don't worry, Dad didn't die.  We both made it back to the top and rewarded ourselves with ice-cream.

The conclusion was that I am a mountain goat and Dad is a crippled sloth, his words, not mine.  That left us with plenty of time to get back to Williams, AZ (which is where we are staying) to make the 7:30 ride for the Polar Express.  That's right, Christmas lovers, the Polar Express is in Williams, AZ on Route 66.  A beautiful old train, which you board in your pajamas, and are served hot cocoa and cookies, and there's Santa and the North Pole, and someone reads the story and you get a BELL!!!!!!

I was so excited that we just happened to stumble upon this Christmas miracle.

            
But let's see if you notice what I didn't on that little calendar.

That's right.  No train on Sunday.

Well, it looks like I'm just going to have to come back to Arizona.

Epic Fortnight: Day 6

Miles Traveled: 411

States Covered: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona

States That Were Completely New to Me: 2

Trains Spotted: 2

Route: US 160, US 89, US 64

Number of Selfies Dad Accidentally Took by Holding Down the Button: 36

I'm not going to lie, I'm getting a little burned out.  Which is ridiculous, considering all I've basically done for a week is sit in a car.  So naturally, we're going to hike the Grand Canyon tomorrow.

Oh, P.S., we made it to the Grand Canyon today!

Majestic.

That's right, we finally made it out of Colorado.  You know, I get why Colorado is a thing.  It's ridiculously beautiful, lots of different terrains, good beer, and nice people.  The mountains are almost offensively beautiful, and everyone seems pretty chill.  It may be a little too groovy for me, and I think I love water too much for me to be a true devotee of the state, but I could definitely stand to spend some more time there.  But not on this trip.  It was time to move on.

And move on we did!  Yesterday we made it through those glorious mountains with their sugar coating of snow, and I was a little disappointed to come out on the other side.  There's something so anticlimactic about driving out of the mountains.  Especially after spending so much time with these views.

I could hang out there all day, every day.  But only if there was a theatre.  There should be more professional theatres on top of mountains.  Just throwing it out there.

After a day in the mountains, we spent some time in Durango, CO, which had a much more South West feeling.  AND the most amazing vintage store I've seen in my life (I don't know how I made it out unscathed), plus a beautiful leather goods store.  Apparently Durango wanted all of my money.  I did not oblige... sadly.

Today was more amazing, though very different views.

Good times.  But now sleep.