Conquering the Canyon
Yesterday, someone asked me, "Did you guys do anything fun over the summer?"
"Ummm, I can't remember," was my reply.
So before I completely forget what happened during the eight weeks that my kiddos were out of school for summer 2016, I am stealing a few moments to document our adventures.
The first week in June I found myself accompanying 12 young women & 7 other adults on a grand adventure to the Grand Canyon. Seven of the YW and four of the adults hiked rim-to-rim, south to north.
While myself, 5 YW and 3 other adults went directly to the north rim, where we completed a 5 mile hike along the top of the rim with beautiful overlooks & lots of dust.
The next day we were up at dawn, packed up our camp and began a descent into the canyon. Our goal was 5 miles down to Roaring Springs or meet up with the rest of our group, which ever came first.
The hike down was breath taking and steep! Unfortunately, I don't think too many in my group slowed down long enough to appreciate the beauty. I chose to stop just past Supai tunnel while the rest kept going down the endless switchbacks. They met up with the rim-to-rim hikers at Red Wall Bridge; I could hear the cheers as they echoed up the canyon.
I chose a shady spot to wait, so that I could give a few words of encouragement to the girls who had worked so hard, plus it was fun to play "paparazzi". What I wasn't expecting were the strong emotions I experienced as the first group of hikers (all the way through the the last group) were in shouting distance. I was filled with so much joy as I was reunited with this group of women & young women. Joy because I knew that this was a hard, HARD thing that they had done. Joy at knowing despite any fears, worries & doubts they had made it. I was overcome with love & admiration for these girls & women who were doing something so VERY hard.
I had a glimpse of heaven in this moment (rolls reversed); a sense that others beyond the veil were there telling me as I returned to the spirit world at the end of my mortal journey, "You did it! It was hard and there were moments that you wanted to give up. But you did it! I always knew that you would! You made it!"
I was so very glad I was able to be there with Elizabeth to experience this with her and very proud of her for giving it her all, not complaining and enduring to the end. I think this may be the first of many fun adventures that lie ahead for her.
I feel blessed to have been a small part of this great trip! To be with a group of fantastic people who encourage & support one another. Everyone was pushed to the limit and experienced moments when things were tough to excruciating, but no matter if they hiked rim to rim or down & back we each can proudly say, "I conquered the canyon!"
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