Grand Canyon Day # 4

Another action-packed day and we started early to avoid the mid-day heat. Our first item on the agenda was to pitch in with a clean-up at a local park. These clean-ups are necessary to reduce the likelihood of brush fires. After a quick breakfast we went horseback riding into the Sonoran Desert. A few of us helped with grooming the horses afterwards. The horses really enjoyed the attention. After a fabulous lunch, we went fishing and most of us caught at least one fish. After all that we needed a break and off to the pool we went. The day was topped off with a cowboy chuck wagon dinner and a special show by Luke Rawlings, roper extraordinaire.

Grand Canyon Day # 2

We could not have done one more thing today. We hiked into the canyon today which put us into a very exclusive club. Only 5% of the parks visitors hike into the canyon. When we polled the group, the most common response was how big the Grand Canyon actually is. Pictures will never do it justice. Our guide discussed the features of the canyon and its geologic history. We saw some wildlife today such as an elk, a long-horned sheep,and a condor! Tomorrow we are off to the cliff dwellings and Biosphere 2.

Grand Canyon Day # 1

We had an action packed day. We started with lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. Then we quickly dropped off our bags and headed to the Lowell Observatory. We were provided a private presentation by Dr. Hall and he spent a good deal of time answering our questions. We also had the opportunity to look through the original telescope. Even simply looking up was amazing, the stars are so much more intense when it gets really dark! Sorry I don’t have a photo to add, better luck tomorrow because we’re going to the Grand Canyon! Mrs. S

June 25 – Departure day eve

My bags are packed and I’m just waiting to go. I feel like time has slowed down. There is probably an algorithm that compares my level of anticipation with how much time seems to have slowed down. How is everyone else feeling? See you in the morning! Mrs. Szmaida