Grand Canyon Evangelism

Halfway down the South Kaibab on the way to Skeleton Point

Looking down the South Kaibab from the trailhead.

Our planned trip to the Grand Canyon went off without a hitch last week and it was everything we thought it could be and more. And, actually, it was one of those rare trips where things went as planned and there were really no surprises.


Flights were on time; even early, if you can believe it. Rental car was great; a Nissan Altima, which was very fun to drive. Hotels were comfortable (Holiday Inn Express and Courtyard by Marriott). Even the food was good, given that there's not that many restaurants in Tusayan, the tiny town just south of the Grand Canyon entrance where a lot of people stay during their visit. All in all, it was well planned and well executed, as all trips should be, but rarely are.


So, how was the Grand Canyon? Well, on our third visit, and second hiking excursion , it was incredible. The South Rim was in the middle of a rare mid-March warm spell and temps were in the high 60s and low 70s, which was absolutely perfect. For hiking, it was even better. Left the trailhead of the South Kaibab Trail on Tuesday morning with temps in the 30s but with plenty of sunshine and temps stayed around 80 at the hottest.


The six-mile roundtrip hike to Skeleton Point was spectacular. We took our time and stopped numerous times along the way to get plenty of pictures and some video. The South Kaibab is definitely steeper and more technically demanding than the Bright Angel Trail, but it was not a problem once we got into a rhythm heading down. Took about 2.5 hours to get to Skeleton Point and we spent about 30 minutes resting our feet and eating a bit before we headed back up.


Hiking in the Grand Canyon, it's been said, is like climbing a mountain in reverse; it's very easy going down but infinitely more difficult going back up. That's why a lot of people do get in trouble in the Canyon, especially in the summer. They start out too quickly going downhill, which is fairly easy, and then underestimate the time and energy it will take to come back out.


Two things we have going for us when it comes to this kind of athletic event; my wife and I are in excellent shape and we pay attention to the National Park Service guidelines about how far to go and when to turn around in the Canyon. And, most importantly, we've read a phenomenal book called, aptly enough, Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon, which details the numerous ways people have lost their lives in the Canyon over the years. It's a great read and, ironically, it's the top-selling book in the Grand Canyon bookstore.


I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you've not yet been to the Canyon, you have to go. It's about 210 miles north of Phoenix on roads where you can average about 75 mph. The drive takes you through several climate changes and the scenery is spectacular from start to finish. The payoff is that all the cliches about the Canyon are true. It takes your breath away from wherever your viewing it. The color changes depending on the time of day. And, for many, the view from the rim leads to a strong desire to go down into it.


Quite frankly, it's addicting. Why? We're already planning a trip for next year and camping at the bottom is the plan. . .

More than a Feeling

The passing of Brad Delp yesterday, lead singer of the 1970s super group Boston, is one of those celebrity deaths that actually made me do more than go, “Oh, that’s too bad.”

Of course, his death doesn't affect me personally. And, sure, Boston hasn't had a huge album in years. But, something about his death, at just 55, caught me. I think it was the realization that Boston was one of those bands where I had every album and enjoyed almost every song they recorded. This, despite the fact that I was barely alive when they were hugely popular. I actually came to their music in my teens when their status as a super group was waning.

More than a Feeling is their seminal work and, probably, the song for which the band is most well known. Something about the lyrics seem to touch me; a self-described music addict.

When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day.

Can’t say it much better than that.