Back in the Office 732mi

Looking back on my trip, I would say it was a 3-part adventure.  Part I was riding the Harley between Nevada, Phoenix, and California.  (Yes, California!  I missed a turn-off and ended up in the Mojave Desert!)  Part II was seeing the amazing Grand Canyon.  Part III was the arduous 8-hour climb back out of the canyon.

I met lots of good people on my travels. Folks on the trail I shared rations and stories with.  One for example was Doug, a 65 year-old man who works in the local hospital. He was on a shift when a young man was brought in after attempting suicide at the Canyon by driving his car off the cliff.  The car landed in a tree hundreds of feet down and he escaped with just scratches... if that's not a message to keep living I don't know what is!  Then there was Ernie who took 20 minutes to file away my Harley key so it would work again (though would take no money from a fellow biker).  And let's not forget Mandy the Ranger who advised me not to hike back out in the heat of the day, but since I was determined to do it anyway, she taught me to change into a cotton shirt so I could soak it in the creek to keep me cool and refreshed while I hiked out.  WHEN I take this journey again, it will be with a cadre of friends, and we will make the trip more of a pilgrimage than a grueling marathon.

Besides having great pictures and memories, I carry with me some pride knowing what I can put my body through.  20 miles of hiking up and down 6000+ feet over 13 hours straight was something I had not prepared for.  I finished it with a smile, but also with a dozen foot blisters, deep boot abrasions on the high ankle, bruises on the hips and sore shoulders from the heavy backpack straps, and a toenail that decided it would rather just fall off than endure any more stresses!   But don't be turned off to the trails... you too can do this and in a more sane way.  If you are reading this, you are cordially invited to join my posse for next year's return trip!

And what's more, a $100 camera and a Grand Canyon hike can turn a Schmuck like me into a professional photographer...

Back at the top

Sorry all, I had no cell signal for any of the trail. I have tons of pictures I will upload in a day or two

So they say not to hike alone. They say not to hike between 10a and 4p. They say not to go all the way down and all the way back up in one day. Over 700 people have died in the grand canyon hiking. I say a big FU to it all.

I hiked alone, all the way down and back up today, I started back up at 10 and got to the top a little after 6, alive. So careful telling me what i can't do, it might have opposite effect.

My legs are cramping and exhausted, my feet are blistered, shoulders need a massage like you wouldn't believe. But my smile is healthy as always. So who's coming with me next year?
(-:

Head of the trail

Here we go, top of South Kabib trail. Long way down!

Route 66 Road Kill Cafe 185mi

About 100 miles from the Grand Canyon Park and belly is rumbling. Thought I'd get a nice salad from the Roadkill Cafe, but surprise surprise, they didn't scrape any salad off route 66 today. Oh well. Eats are eats are eats.
Cooled down to just 90 now. Might have to change into long pants by midnight at this rate!
Country music playing at the restaurant and ice tea served in a mason jar... Nice local ambience!

Ready for bed, with some difficulty

Well I found the place OK, but I have no idea if I am allowed to sleep here. Oh well, I will be up and out by 3:30 so I guess it will be OK.
My tent is kind of a joke. I forgot how it assembles, and it is dark outside. It is relatively "together" amd I am set fir sleep.
I wish I could get a picture of the night sky. There are more stars than I have ever seen. I may have to sleep tomorrow night without the tent so I could doze off under the stars. Night all.

Close call with ruined trip 250mi

Cycle dealership didn't tell not to leave the key in the ignition when I ride. It bounced out, ricoched off my leg at 90 MPH, and tumbled onto the highway. I pulled over and after 3 passes at searching the road I found it! Trip saved, or so I thought.
The key got run over and bent. I stopped at the next exit and straightened iy with a pair of pliers from a fellow biker. But it still didn't work!
That means I can't get to the gas tank, my tent and sleeping bag, not even mu coat... And the temp is dropping quickly.
I had enough gas to get to a Harley Dealer 20 miles off my route. They didn't have any blank keys and it takes 10 days to order one. Shit!
As I was planning to leave the bike there and go back to Vegas with a rental car with my trip ruined, the nivlce guy there started filing away at my key. Long story short- he fixed it! On I go with an hour delay!

Mohave County Jail 100mi

Just a few miles from the county jail, I have clear sailing. 90 MPH is a nice gentle breeze. Only danger out here is riding off the road with my head spinning 360 degrees around watching scenery I have only seen in HS geography class and the movies.
Stopped for gas not knowing when the next town might be. Wishing my kids were out here with me to experience America. I think I will be touching on Route 66 soon.