Grand Circle on the Colorado Plateauby Emily and CK | |
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``Must hike across the Grand Canyon.'' That was Thanksgivings 1991. I was in the States for less than three months, and the holy concept of road trips has never illuminate my mind, when a friend suggested driving from LA to the Grand Canyon. I had never realized that one could drive from LA to the Grand Canyon. So a gang for nine college guys and gals packed into a van. Two days later we were hiking down from the South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail when a snow blizzard forced our retreat. But the seed was planted when I saw the thin line on the map, linking the South Rim to the North. ``So there is a trail across the Grand Canyon.'' ``Must hike across the Grand Canyon.'' ``If you are going to do it, you'd better do it soon.'' It was early 2004. I had hit the age when staying young was no longer effortless. Emily and I had talked about hiking the Grand Canyon many times. But such a challenging trip took a lot of planning, which meant a lot of excuses for procrastination. Until one day we realized that if we did not do it soon, we would never do it. ``So let's do it.'' Over the years, the plan of the trip have evolved. At first it was only the Grand Canyon. Then we noticed the two parks to the northwest. Bryce and Zion. Added to itinerary. Wait a minute, there were several to the northeast as well. Arches and Canyonlands. Names so irresistably seductive. Oh, and just over the other side of the four corners, there was Mesa Verde. Monument Valley? Of course we needed to see that ... We were charting our way through the Grand Circle, with the highest density of national parks and monuments in the nation. The itinerary lengthened, from one week to two, then three. When it threatened to grow into a month long trip, we realized that there were always more sights to see, and we must draw the line somewhere. So let it be three weeks. Flights booked. Car rental reserved. Accommodation arrangement made. New camera bought. Vacation requested and granted. Tour books read. Three of them. Cover to cover. More than once. Regular exercise schedule implemented. And carried out. Sparodically. (Well, the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.) To test our own physical fitness, we hiked the marathon-long Rock Creek Trail, which resulted in huge horrible blisters. (Lesson: better shoes needed.) But nevertheless we finished the hike, and that gave us confidence. With our blisters healed and Memorial Day approaching, we were ready. ``Let's go.'' | |
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Created on 16th Aug 2004. Last updated on 8th Nov 2008. |