Hiking in Havasupai

The plan was to hike Havasupai Canyon. I'm not sure who made the plan first, all I know is that I was going to be involved quite heavily, as the local person with the contact ability. The trip got organized pretty quickly, once I realized that Walter was actually coming for a visit during Sabrina's short-term stay. With Walt's schedule of 3 days on and 4 days off while performing nursing duties, we had time for a quick trip down to the most beautiful spot in Arizona.
I booked us camping spots for 2 nights during the week...very easy to get. Maybe because it was after school had started and it's still quite warm during the day. Anyway, it worked out well. Our plan was to spend two nights and hike the 9 miles each way, being able to take all the time we needed. We didn't rush down the canyon, because each step gave us something new to look at! But after a late night arrival party and an early morning departure, we were anxious to sit a spell. Needless to say, we slept very well the first night we were down there.
Day 2 of our trip gave us a full day to explore. We decided to search for the Colorado River confluence in the Grand Canyon National Park...didn't quite make it, but had a blast in the process. We ended up hiking about 7 or 8 miles that day. Also, we discovered that Sabrina really doesn't like peanut butter. She survived only on pretzels that day. Wow.
Our last day involved hiking back up 9 miles. We were lucky to get a donkey to pack our our bags. Only $50 for 3 bags. Not bad. It made the hike uphill bearable. Barely. I have a small problem with overheating...I always do! It was about 95 F that day when we got near the top. And it was high noon. Ugh. Nearing heat exhaustion is no good, but thank God, I made it. I did manage to drink a 32 ounce gatorade upon the completion of the hike (in about 10 minutes). Yummy.
Also, we survived the trip as vegans. All 3 of us consumed all vegan food. It was awesome being able to cook and eat the food I wanted to eat. And very sweet that Walt and Sabrina put up with me and my crazy ideas! I don't think they minded very much ;)

Enjoy the pictures...and plan your own trip soon! Let me know if I can join you :)

Havasupai Canyon 2007

Roommate Reunion

On Sunday night, our former roommates Sabrina and Walter arrived from a lengthy absence from AcomaHoma. It was a chance to throw a proper party so it was a reunion of many friends around the pool. The heat still lingers through the latter part of August...many of us enjoyed the chance to get wet, whether or not we were actually in the pool!
It was so nice to have Walter around again, even if just for a short while. It seemed like he really never left, although having him home again made us realize how much we miss him!
Sabrina will be staying for awhile, so her late arrival (without one piece of luggage) didn't bother us too much. We're enjoying her stay while it lasts :)

Enjoy the pictures, friends and family!

http://picasaweb.google.com/ktgm721/ReunionAcoma

Bad car news

Just when you think you've got everything figured out...Geo's new car (the 94 Ford Escort) that Walter so lovingly got into action for us has died. Officially. I think. He spent the last 10 days without it (not really a problem since he was at cancer camp in Prescott) but today he picked it up, having paid $1600 for it and was on his way home. I jokingly told him I wouldn't drink too much wine while making dinner in case he needed to be rescued. Well, 5 minutes after he should have been home, I started calling him, but his phone went straight to voice mail. He called 5 minutes after that from Claimjumper, where he was stranded. He actually drove a mile past the restaurant area and had to run back a mile to make a phone call. His phone was dead. Bizarre, as the roadside assistance guy said. So, he called and I picked him up. On the way there, I saw a white car stranded on the highway with a cop behind it with his lights running. I thought to myself how nice that the cops are probably finding a stolen vehicle that could be returned to its owner. I didn't know where Geo had broken down, so it didn't even occur to me that this was his car!!!
Anyway, the cop had already called a tow truck. We unloaded the car and waited for the truck. We got home and enjoyed dinner, only about an hour late (this at 10:35, by the way). On the way home from the breakdown site (less than 7 miles from home) we called our friend Abe about buying his car, since he's moving home to Singapore and won't be able to take it with. I'll post the pictures of the new car when we get it. For now, I will be mourning the loss of our $900 beautiful Ford Escort. It was a really pretty car. And very fuel efficient. I will miss it...

Airport Updates

It has been *so long* since I have been to Phoenix Sky Harbor. In fact, it's probably been 6 weeks. Wow. How quick things change. Actually, what I'm griping about now is the parking situation. I can't even think of the last time we had to park at the airport. That's one of the benefits of having roommates! Someone is always avaialable to drive :) So, arriving at the airport today and finding it's $8/day to park in the blazing hot Arizona sunshine (and spend 15 minutes at least finding a spot) or $10/day to park in the comfort of the garage and not spend more than 5 minutes looking for a spot...hmmm, tough choice. So, for my 5 day trip to LA, I will spend $50 in parking. Now, I know gas is expensive (actually, it's getting cheaper every week, yea!) but this is something that I think I have miscalculated. McMom offered me a ride to the airport, but foolish me, thinking it was $4/day and just as easy for me to take myself, rejected her offer. Again, foolish me. I shall endeavor not to ever have to park at the airport again.
Meanwhile, I am thankful for free wi-fi in the terminals. You should see how many of us fellow travelers are hunched over laptops. I love it!
And while I take a look at the fancy flat panel tvs hanging all around, I am feeling pretty guilty for my ease and comfort to travel the way I want to, when I want to. I'm watching the story about the bridge in Minnesota that has collapsed and I feel bad, because I know people that spend time there. So, I am at a loss, because I don't spend a lot of time watching the news, and I rarely know what's going on around me. Talk about feelings of selfishness, being made aware with this news in my face. Life is simpler when you don't have to worry about what's going on outside of your own sphere, but these are real people that have to deal with this crazy stuff every day. Wow. My prayers are with those affected by this tragedy in Minnesota. But more and more, I realize that this is a big world (over 6 billion people) and that God loves each and every one of us the same. That's wow. I don't want my sometimes apathetic approach to be confused for not caring. All I can say is that I'm happy my future's in God's hands. Now only if everyone else I care about had the same approach...
Sorry if this is preachy, or offends. But when I get out of my selfish world, this is the way my brain ends up thinking. Maybe I should spend more time at airports by myself.