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Published: September 9th 2010
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Us at Overlook
A photo-op trade-off with another couple GC - NR Day 2
I was up at 5 AM and after coffee took a bike ride to the lodge. I remembered the road being flat and looked forward to an invigorating ride, however as memories often do, the road was different and the ride was all down hill. Additionally, the closer to the rim, the lower the temp (37). So imagine a large navy blue wind-breaker thing, on a black bike, and black helmet hurtling down the road at 25+ mph hoping the brakes would hold, blinded by the tears in its eyes, and afraid to let go of the handle bars to wipe the tears streaming down its cheeks. Fortunately there was little traffic as all parts of the roadway were his domain. The road flattened near the lodge. After a sigh of relief knowing the bike was back under control, tears were dried, and sight restored, and the canyon was ahead.
For those of you who have visited the GC, it seems the first view regardless of how many times you have been there is an overwhelming desire to applaud in appreciation for the work of nature. At the same time, I was anxious to
Bright Angel Pt View
Hazy day at the canyon get Emily up and going so she could also have this experience. So I mounted my black cycle and started back. The invigorating ride of 30 minutes ago turned into an ordeal as the uphill climb took its toll. The oxygen starved air at 8K feet, nothing to eat since the previous evening, and the forgotten power bar turned this hulking cycle rider into a humble cycle pusher as twice he dismounted and prayed a bus would come to the rescue. Finally the road to the campground was ahead which brought a sense of relief and accomplishment (911 call was not required).
We got to the lodge and the rim about 10. Emily was single crutching today and as I guided her through the cabins, the canyon came into view. Emily stopped as those first moments of awe took over and she was captured by grandeur of the canyon. She wanted to go everywhere and see everything, but of course her knee limited her activity (if you believe that, I have some swamp land in AZ for sale). She saw people at a view point and wanted to go there, but I lead her in a direction toward Bright
Angel Point Trail. There were several view points along the way which would have been adequate for most crutched people, but not Emily.
I stopped to take a photo or two and when I turned Emily was gone and yes Bright Angel Point was where she was headed. Although the trail is paved, it is neither flat nor an easy walk. I finally caught up with her at the point and she was in another world with glazed eyes and a child-like smile. This is reminiscent of every visit and was of many others (my sister included). This moment will last forever and is etched in our soul as the spirit of the canyon claims another victim. The hike back was a series of stops filled with wondering and questions about how the canyon and the layers of the walls formed. This lack of knowing became a need to be fulfilled and bookstores now occupied a place along side gift shops and produce stands.
Back at camp we relaxed and used the Internet to upload several days of travel updates while replaying the morning activities under a cloudless sky and warm (77) temps.
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