As you may know, I was preparing to hike the Grand Canyon. As part of the practice I've had to overcome my fear of hiking Squaw Peak and the since the first big hike was that one, I was proud I was able to finish. But.... the last test for us to complete before Bro Hinton would let us HIKE THE GRAND CANYON, was to be able to hike Squaw Peak TWICE!!! That is not a typo... TWICE!! To say I was nervous would be the understatement of the century. Jenna was pretty bothered when I posted the picture's of my face again, so for her sake (and since I'm pretty sure her, Jamie and Jazz are the only people that read this) I won't post the picture showing why I was so nervous.
So.... this said hike was supposed to take place on tuesday the 19th, but getting off work was impossible so we opted to moving it to wednesday EARLY morning. We left our house at 5 AM and I'm really glad we left that early for traffic reasons. We picked up Katherine on the way and we made excellent time. Jamie & David met us down there and when we got there her had already started (he had to get back for work at 9). We took this picture before we got out of the car.... yes we were really tired :)
So we started and it was still pretty dark, I don't know why I thought the sun would be up already before we started but it not the best planning on my part. But we started nonetheless and were just really careful, (ps Jamie's backpack had a head-lamp and was so very nice to remind us how cool her backpack was... dumb :)). It was absolutely beautiful watching the sun rise. I kept signing that primary song All Things Bright and Wonderful, the Lord God Made them All. I really don't know the title to the song but I hope you got the picture.
Anyways, we hiked and kept hiking. When I had hiked it the last time it was getting dark so we didn't got ALL the way to the top, so I was excited to finally reach the top. Let me tell you, I was really happy Bro Hinton had talked me into not going to the top in the dark, I most likely would have fallen down again. Talk about rock steps and climbing at the end!! BUT WE MADE IT!!! This was the first time. I was kind of proud.
(Please don't make fun of my socks, they are special hiking socks that really help!)
Then we came down and I felt like we were making excellent time, until David finished his two laps before we finished one. We aren't slow, he's just really fast, well that's what I told myself :). Anyways, my legs were pretty tired after finishing the first go around, but we HAD to do it again so we started the trek again for the second time. I will say that my legs were much more loose the second time and we were just speedily getting that mountain taken care of! So, something that I've learned alot through all this, is that hikers are VERY friendly. It's so early and everyone is chipper and asking how you are, good morning and just soooo nice. So we'd been saying hi and good morning to so many people and we were about 3/4ths the way up when this Mexican dude is coming down the mountain and is staring at me and says Good Morning and then goes to shake my hand. So he's staring into my eyes, I'm getting creeped out, but he's kind of funny, but he's ALSO not letting go of my hand and I'm definitely trying to release my hand. But he was just like be sooooo very careful it's dangerous up here. Then he let go of my hand and passed us. Jamie then goes, did you know him??? I was like OF COURSE NOT!!!! Why would I know him, and she was like well the way he was staring and talking to you I thought for sure you knew him. NOPE!!!!!! She was like that was super creepy I hope he didn't have some sort of poison on his hands that you just shook.... ya that's all I needed going through my mind :). So I was doing pretty well up until this point. My legs started to get really tired, before we started the second time I had told Jamie that if she didn't stay behind me I probably wouldn't make it a second time all the way to the top. I was right, I was soooo happy she had stayed with me, because I would have just stopped. It was a killing walking up those dang rock steps.
BUT WE MADE IT A SECOND TIME!!!!!
I was so proud of myself and our whole group. I was feeling bad because the little boys had made it up their second time and were on their way down when we saw them shortly after the little Mexican Dude, and we were like boys we'd like you to come back up so we can take a family pic at the top. I was semi-joking and they were not too happy but decided to join us for a third time at the top.
Don't they look so happy to be here :).
Bro. Hinton had met us there but was about 30 min behind us, don't worry he finished the same time as us, actually a little faster. When we got to the bottom, he was there to congratulate us on making it twice and gave us the APPROVAL for the Grand Canyon!!! It was then that I realized ohhhh shoot what did I get myself into :)
Are you ready for the Grand Canyon?
Ps..... On the way down, I needed a picture here. This is where I passed out and where my face hit the floor. Guess what???????
Squaw Peak-1-------Jackie-3! Take that Squaw Peak!!!!
1 comment:
Good work, Jackie! Way to own it!
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