We camped near the water tank on a large flat field dotted with hemlock trees. At least 7 other hikers were across the field out of sight. By the time we were packed and leaving, at the late hour of 8:00, all the others were gone. We were only 20 miles from Tusayan and 26 from the Grand Canyon Village. The others were heading into town. But we had a room booked for Sunday and Monday, so we didn’t want to be there until tomorrow. So we would only hike 16 miles today. It was a leisurely morning. It felt super, but we didn’t have much food left.
From the dregs we had cracker and cookie crumbs and pieces of nuts outweighed by spices from spicy cashews. Our breaks could be long enough to rifle through our bags and pockets. Luckily we had two dehydrated meals left and plenty of time for breaks. We won’t starve.
About two miles into the day we had our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. Four miles in, the helicopters started flying overhead. Every 15 minutes it seemed. Low and loud. We passed the trail junction for Grand View which meant campers were out on the trail. The solitude was over.
For our first stop. I mixed cracker crumbs, mustard, olives, and spicy cashews in a baggie and ate it with a spoon. It was really tasty. We had time to linger over the fine concoction. Terry ate GORP, his supply seemingly endless.
The second morning break, I was was ready to finish off my GORP sitting on the dirt berm at trail’s edge when this Mukluk-of-a-dog comes around the corner. His tall white image reminding us of our dog gone for eight years now. And then what should appear at his heels? The cutest ten-week-old husky. By the time their owners appeared, their dogs were both in our laps. The 100 pound malamute shepherd mix had me on my back giving me love. The couple, mid-thirties, away from their home in Phoenix for the weekend, really wanted to talk! After puppy got into my small bag of GORP, he scattered it on the ground. I will admit he was neatly just sniffing about and gently eating what was handy. But our GORP contained M&Ms. So I was ranging around in the dirt trying to eat the M&Ms so the dog wouldn’t. I was also putting the nuts back in the bag to have a snack for tomorrow. All the while the woman was telling me her history. How she met her husband, and about all the places they’ve lived.
We had time to identify a Western Tanager and Grace’s Warbler. Terry discovered the carrot desert parsley plant. We had time to walk shoulder to shoulder and talk. Terry even tried out his umbrella for the first time.
Mountain Peace 