Riding down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon in an oar boat is a dream come true. Wait. Actually I was nervous about it at first. The stories of people being tossed out of the boat in the rapids made me a bit fearful. But as it turns out, it was a blast. I got wet and my heart rate went up, but it made me laugh more than anything. The guides are such experts. And then there’s the life vest. Safety first.

Amanda is preparing her oar boat. Each boat holds 4 passengers and one guide who does all the rowing.

I like the oar boats because they are quiet and only hold 4 passengers. More intimate that way. We were encouraged to choose a different guide each day. It was a good suggestion. We got to know all the guides and they were all excellent. Each one shared his/her knowledge of the canyon with us.

Horseshoes in camp was fun to watch and play.

Greg in a meditative pose.

We have these cactus at home too!

 Great to hike up to see the granary and the Colorado River from high.

It was a 6 day trip, and we went ashore for side hikes every day. Some of the hikes were a bit challenging at times, but we were strong and confident. Our personal trainer, Ruth Draper, can be credited for helping us get that way. Anyone who has trained with Ruthie will know what I’m talking about.

Did I mention how much Greg always assisted me when my short legs wouldn’t get me where I wanted to go? He’s my hero.

This is the granary where some of the original inhabitants stored their grain.

Precarious photo taking. I was trying not to fall, and I got Greg’s knee in this one.

Nothing like lying in a cot, snuggled inside a warm sleeping bag looking up at the full moon.

Major John Wesley Powell popularized the name “Grand Canyon” during his famous 1869 expedition down the Colorado River. I have to say that it is a very fitting name. The grandeur of the Canyon and the Colorado River that runs through it, made us feel small. We kept looking up while in our oar boat and marveling at the walls of the canyon.

Every moment in the canyon was special. The photos help tell/show the awe we felt, but there’s nothing that replaces experiencing it for yourself. If you ever get the chance to be in the canyon, go for it.

Our oar boat trip was with Grand Canyon Whitewater. This company has it down. They think of everything and the food is soooo delish. This is camping?

The salmon was my favorite dinner. But all the meals are tasty and healthy. This company thinks of everything. They really have it down to a science.

Lunches were a free for all. They put out all the goodies and you make your own lunch. No plates…make your own sandwiches, and eat from your hands…grap some chips…pickles, electrolytes, candy bars. There was always more than enough food to our liking for all of us.

Let’s not forget the flowers.

This is the confluence with the Little Colorado. Turquoise water. Unreal.

A Little Colorado River Kiss

And way too soon it’s time to hike out of the canyon.

And then there’s the hike out on the Bright Angel Trail.

Amanda, one of our adorable guides started up the trail with us. We bonded with her and it was nice to have her along for the first half. She is one strong young woman and lots of fun.

I was not feeling well at all when we started out. I had vertigo, nausea, and was a little disoriented too. Was it a panic attack? I don’t know, but I did not feel right, and all the training we had done to prepare for this 8 mile hike out of the canyon seemed to leave me. I knew it would be difficult, especially seeing that I am almost 80. years old, but I have to say it was the most difficult challenge I have ever faced. I’m not going to lie. It was grueling.

The three-mile resthouse gave us a chance to get our bearings, but I didn’t feel that much better at that point. But the trail beckoned and I could only keep going if I wanted to make the shuttle at the end.

It’s so lovely, isn’t it? We didn’t have much time to enjoy the views though. That looks a long way down, doesn’t it? But there is still so much more to go. One foot in front of the other. Keep going up, up, up.

Remember to take time to enjoy the flowers.

We carried our packs with everything we took with us to the canyon. Mine weighted 22 pounds and Greg’s was closer to 30 pounds. At one point one of the two guides who accompanied us after Amanda went back down to finish the oar trip, kept asking to take my pack so it would be easier for me. But that is not what I signed up for. I wouldn’t relinquish my load to him. He didn’t understand why I wouldn’t let him help me. Looking back on this part of the hike I am feeling proud of myself for doing what I set out to do.

So we continued to hike gaining 4,400 ft in elevation until we got to the top. There were times when the end seemed so far in the distance that we’d never make it. But we didn’t give up (that wasn’t an option anyway).

I’ve read that going up the Bright Angel is like climbing 500 flights of stairs. Five. Hundred. Flights. I’ll leave you to ponder that.

I don’t know what Greg is smiling about. I don’t think he was having fun, was he?

We had to stop and pose here. And get a drink. And have a protein bar.

Look closely. See the zig zags? Serious switchbacks.

Another chance to pose. And stand still.

This is someone else’s photo of the corkscrew (I called it zig zags), This shot is from higher up than the one Greg took. I did not take many photos on the hike out. I was too busy climbing. And trying to breathe.

We did eventually make it out of the Grand Canyon. All 8 miles of it. It took us 9 hours.

The people who were in our group were there to welcome us. We hugged and laughed and cried. I didn’t even pose in front of the trail sign. We barely made it in time to get a sticker in the gift shop before the shuttle bus took us back to our hotel.

I’ll tell you, I was so spent I hardly remember the last of the hike. Just getting to the end with our new friends greeting and congratulating us was all we needed. Besides a good night’s sleep.