Magic number 199!!!

More about the magic number later.

We miraculously and safely
arrived at Puerta Penasco, Mexico.

Our accommodations were stunning.

The place felt deserted in December, and a little cool.
The hot tub was a great place to warm up.
We relaxed, walked on the beach,
ate fresh shrimp, and watched the
weather forecast for the Grand Canyon...

...snow storms on the horizon at the CG.
We moved up our mule reservations,
checked out of Mexico 3 days early
and headed north.
A quick overnight stop with the
Daryl and Cecile Shumway family
of Glendale, Arizona.
( Thanks for hosting us. We love you)

And arrived at the South Rim Thursday
afternoon, December 11th.
First and foremost, the weigh-in!
Here comes the magic number...199!!!
200 lbs. would kill the mule,
and hiking it would kill Lane.

The mule and Lane both smiled :)

We checked into our rim cabin and
celebrated the weigh-in by eating
"battleship" burgers, onion rings
and blueberry pie (ala mode).

Our decent is about to begin...

It promises to warm up 20 degrees
at Phantom Ranch, our overnight
destination at the bottom.

10 miles down the Bright Angel trail
and we are crossing the Colorado
River on mules. Very great!
(Carolyn's perspective; The brown is my mule's neck,
black gloved hand holding tight to the saddle horn
and rein. The army green color of the Colorado
River is seen flowing under the bridge.)

Lane waves his politically correct
"mule motivator" in acknowledgment
of our arrival at Phantom Ranch.

Our little house at the ranch.

A steak dinner,
a sudoku contest,
a good nights rest...

...a flapjack and bacon breakfast,
and we mount the mules for another 7 miles,
this time up the steeper Khibab trail.

Lane is thrilled to be nearing the
completion of this once in a
lifetime adventure.

With our trusty steeds
Johnson and Chester.
It all seems like a dream!

We are grateful that our mules were
both steadfast and "movable".
May we each be steadfast as we
plod along day after day,and immovable
as we hold to our values.
May we all find joy in the journey!

Love you,
Dad & Mom
Lane and Carolyn