Songwriters
JESSI ALEXANDER, JON MABE

You guessed it, a Miley Cyrus song.

So I last left you at the bottom of the Canyon, laying on picnic table with visions of bacon rolling through my head. Soon those visions turn to smells as Phantom Ranch comes alive with cooking odors. Five o’clock rolls around and it is time for the breakfast I’ve been waiting for. It does not disappoint. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, orange juice, peaches, coffee, and some thick cut bacon that is out of this world. We sit with a whole bunch of people who have been staying at the cabins and conversation always comes around to that poignant point, “you hiked last night, just to come and eat breakfast?” Of course, that’s what we do and proud to be able to do it. We close the place down as everybody trickles out and I’m still stuffing my face and soon my pockets since I figure bacon is the perfect trail snack as we will soon be climbing out. Plus I hate being wasteful anyhow so what’s another five pieces of bacon in the pockets?

Six o’clock has arrived and we are blessed to be able to use almost real facilities, pack up, fill up, get those backpacks on and begin our march out of there. It is a beautiful morning for a hike. What started at 11:00 p.m. is hopefully going to end at 11:00 a.m. Away we go, this time we will pass many on the trail since morning has arrived and Bright Angel is alive.

The colors in the Canyon are incredible. We have some clouds and our early start keeps the sun off of us. The Colorado River is like a Chocolate flow since the Monsoon rains and runoff have turned it to brown. Jordyn does her poses and snaps numerous photos but who knows where they all are. We arrive in Indian Gardens and this time there are quit a few signs of life. We have passed many people that have left the Phantom Ranch campgrounds as we are on a mission and that breakfast is fueling our drive up. The last couple miles of the Canyon are tough. It feels like you are climbing straight up. As we climb it always amazes us that so many hike without water and in some crazy shoes. I’m not certain how they do it but it is always a topic of discussion for us.

We get to the top of the Canyon at 10:50 and we are feeling giddy from the adrenaline rush as we have conquered the climb in a very good time which included many stops for pictures and rest. So 4:30 going down and 4:50 coming up. Incredible for us and we did the normal Fruth thing, we had a craft beer to celebrate. I know, shocking but Carolyn had packed us a craft beer from three different Arizona breweries to celebrate. Here goes, Jordyn with a Scottsdale Blonde from Huss Brewing, Carolyn with a Watermelon Wheat from Mudshark Brewery, and me with a Amber Ale from Prescott Brewing company. We figured we would give AZ Breweries some love.

What next, over to El Tovar for some relaxation with a Grand Canyon Pilsner. Sitting out on the patio, taking it all it and I feel great joy that we have made it and are healthy, elated, tired, but alive and well. Watching the tourists go by, as we look out on the Canyon and there is a real sense of accomplishment. We have made another trek that most have never done and most never will do. We have lived the dream another day.

We head to our hotel room, shower, nap, and revive, jump on a bus and head over to some place in Tusayan to watch ASU play. That didn’t go so well and we head back to crash for the evening.

Sleep comes quickly and us tired folk sleep for a long time. Sunday morning has arrived and time has come for us to get going. But first, breakfast at the El Tovar with a great view of the Canyon. Life really is good and this weekend has confirmed again that family adventures really do rock.

As we pack up and go, we stop in Flagstaff and check out the Mother Road Brewing Company since none of us had been there. It is packed, has a great outdoor patio, and fun time to sit and reminisce about our adventures. Five Guys for dinner, a coffee from Dunkin Donuts and we are soon headed home. Another adventure has come to an end but there will be more ahead. Jordyn made us a little GoPro Video. Enjoy her creativity with my camera I don’t know how to use. The song Renegade. It turned out pretty awesome.

We are on to living like we are dying and can only anticipate what lies ahead. The Climb really is significant as we approach the many trials we face and obstacles we must overcome. That is what the Canyon climb means to me. It signifies that I can overcome and do what I once considered undoable. I have conquered the Climb.

I leave you with the lyrics and the song.