Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!!

I laid in bed the other night thinking about what I still wanted to do before I headed home. Hiking below the rim was on the top of my list. So I got up this morning, ate a good breakfast, packed my backpack with lots of water and some salty snacks and fruit and drove to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Its the steepest trail into the canyon but it gets you down faster and the views are spectacular. I started at 6 and was at the Cedar Ridge rest area by 7. Going down can be more difficult than going up, especially when the trail is steep and rocky. I slipped a few times but my trusty hiking stick kept me from bouncing my butt off the rocks. I had the trail to myself but by 7:30 when I started back up there was a steady stream on hikers coming down. Sat with a young couple from Denmark at Cedar Ridge and took a break on the way back up with a family from England. I was at the top by 8:45 and felt great!!!!!! I guess my daily walks and acclimation to the altitude made a big difference from my hike down the North Kaibab when I first got here. I'm ready to tackle the hike to Phantom Ranch. No time and too hot, though for this visit. Next time. The neighbors are cooking "sticky" ribs later so beverages and good food. I was invited to go 4-wheeling but passed on that one. I'll make brownies for the picnic and rest my legs. Dick will be here on Wednesday and then my tour guide duties will begin again...can't wait!!!!! We are going to ride down to Sedona before we drive up to the canyon. I really want to see the red rocks before I leave.