Camp Hope Riders

OK… as I had mentioned in my last post the elevation change from the Cottonwood campground to the North Kaibab trailhead is over 4000 feet.  The trailhead is at 8250 feet and what was difficult coming down was grueling hiking back up.

Towards the end, AJ got a second-wind and seemed to be skipping up to the top like some Sherpa chanting a Tibetan mantra.  Miraculously, dragging myself up to the top just took about ½ an hour longer than climbing down the day before.

After successful resuscitation efforts—don’t worry, no crash-cart was necessary, just some Fig Newtons and trail mix—I was able to get my bike and join up with AJ who was ahead of me by a couple of minutes.  We changed, packed up, and got on the road.

Leaving the park we headed down US Highway 89 and 89 Alternate on our way to Flagstaff, Arizona where we’ll meet up with Ron and Wayne.  The ride was beautiful.  The highway travels past the Vermillion Cliffs and Lee’s Ferry, Arizona—the beginning of the Grand Canyon.

Tomorrow we continue down 89 Alternate from Flagstaff through Sedona, Arizona on our way to Phoenix.

More to come…

The Vermillion Cliffs

AJ and I woke up, got our packs ready, rode our bikes over to the Backcountry Office and hiked over to the Kaibab trailhead to start our trek. 

I’ve never been to the North Rim, all my visits to the Grand Canyon had been to the more commercial South Rim, but a tip from a Service Consultant during my service stop in Rapid City, South Dakota brought us here.  I must say I’m glad we followed her advice.

The view from the top of the Grand Canyon's North Kaibab trail

So, off of the trailhead we began our descent.  We were taking it slow, no need to rush down.  Besides we had plenty of time, we were only going down to the Cottonwood Campground—7.2 miles and just over 4000 feet of elevation change.  The first thing you notice, other than the amount of air you’re sucking up at this altitude during the descent—8250 feet at the trailhead—is the amount of air the hikers during their ascent are sucking as we pass them by.  Yikes!  What were we thinking?

Scenes as we descend in the canyon on the North Kaibab trail... 7 miles and over 4000 feet of elevation change

AJ sporting the latest packing fashion in Sherpa wear

As I was feeling sorry for myself, we ran into some ultra-marathon runners, four ladies, on a leisurely run.  It was one of their birthdays, and they were all celebrating by running from the South Rim to the North Rim and back… in ONE DAY!!!  It’s 28 miles from the North Rim to the river and back and another 18 from the South to the river and back.  That’s 46 miles and I haven’t even mentioned the elevation changes—6000 from the North Rim and I believe it’s 5000 from the South… in ONE DAY!!!

Anyway, as I had mentioned in yesterday’s post, services were beginning to shut down on the North Rim and one of the water stops on the North Kaibab trail was one of those services affected.  These ladies were in need of some water during this grueling ascent and we just happened to be there to help.  You ask, “What’s the cost of water on the trail?”  Well, put it to you this way, they now know about Camp Hope.  Check out one of their Blogs and you can read about their experience and our encounter.  I think it’s the 9^th or 10^th paragraph.  http://devoncrosbyhelms.com/2009/10/grand-canyon-rim-to-rim-to-rim-run.html

So, we continued down feeling a little less sorry for ourselves.  Of course the beauty around you helps to keep your mind off of it.  You just need to remember to stop and look.  Wouldn’t want to be distracted on some of these switchbacks… No, no, noooo, NO!

More scenes as we descend in the canyon on the North Kaibab trail

We got down to the campground and rested for a good hour before setting up camp, eating and venturing off for another hike.  All I could think… How do these ladies do it?!?

As night begins to descend in the canyon

The Grand Canyon is a must, but you have to hike down into it to truly experience it.

For those of you have having trouble keeping track of everyone… here’s the breaks down.

Chris originally peeled off from the group in California after Clovis, and then we briefly met up with him in Vegas.  He’ll be joining us again in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  We lost Dave in California when we arrived in San Diego.  We’ll be seeing him again in Florida, date and length of stay yet to be determined.  Derek had service performed in Vegas and had to stay due to the amount of work being performed and the time required to complete it.  He’ll be hooking up with us again in Sierra Vista along with Chris.  We said goodbye to Kristin in Zion.  She’s wrapping up her portion of the ride and is headed back to Boise, Idaho. 

So, currently it’s Ron, Wayne, AJ and I on this portion of the trip.  However, with much of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim operation shutting down for the season, only AJ and I went to the North Rim.  Ron and Wayne will be continuing to the South Rim and enjoying a tamer Grand Canyon experience.  Unfortunately AJ and I were unable to get a backcountry permit for this evening and decided to camp on the North Rim’s campground and head out tomorrow instead.

Here are some of the photos taken from the rim… enjoy!

The Grand Canyon... yes, grand indeed... 10 miles from rim to rim at the Grand Canyon Village

Capturing some of the Grand Canyon's colors

...as the sun begins to set

From Las Vegas we were off to Utah and beautiful Zion National Park.  On the way there was a detour Peter, my new friend from Las Vegas, had suggested—Highway 169 through Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park.  It was beautiful!  Good call Peter.

From there we were back on I-15 and Utah’s Highway 9 making a beeline to Zion National Park and our date with Angels Landing.  Wait till you see the photos from there.  For further information, check out the following site:  http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm.  

In the meantime, here are some pics from the Valley of Fire.

Scenes from Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park

After leaving San Diego we made our way to Las Vegas where we were able to get some much needed service for our motorcycles and enjoy some of the nightlife.  Sorry, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Of course we had our own tour guide and concierge, one of our own Camp Hope Riders and his lovely wife, Chris and Marlene.   They rode out to Baker, California, escorted us into Vegas and made sure we were taken care of.  It sure is nice to have friends in Vegas!

Talking about friends, I have another story for our readers. 

In San Luis Obispo, California I met a retired Veteran from Las Vegas, Peter LeBoutillier, who was interested in Camp Hope and the work being done for our wounded warriors.  He took one of our flyers, returned to Vegas and called several of the numbers on the back of the brochure trying to get a hold of me.  He wanted to help and was hoping to meet up with us when we arrived in Vegas.  So when I arrived we spoke and scheduled a meeting at one of the casinos for breakfast.  Derek and I joined him the next morning, and I must say he is a fine gentleman. 

Peter, thank you for breakfast, the maps you printed off for us and the tips on some of the sites we should visit in Nevada, Utah and Arizona… thank you for the help!

And… last but not least, some photos from our day trip to Hoover Dam and Derek’s extended stay in Vegas.

Up above the Hoover Dam

The dammed side of the river

View of the river from the Hoover Dam with new the bridge being constructed over it

I leave Derek in Vegas and what does he do... he tries to replace me the minute I'm gone.

Derek is having way too much fun... no Derek, that's not Elvis.

Derek's conscience in Vegas... defintely not Jiminy Cricket.

After Camp Pendleton, Terri insisted on us spending the night, and after that visit, quite frankly, I wasn’t prepared to hit the road.  Her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Rosanne Glynn, allowed us the use of a bonus room and made sure we were all comfortable for the evening.  But before hitting the sack, there was more food, coffee, homemade cookies and another evening of great conversation.

The next morning was a difficult farewell as we left Terri on our way to Las Vegas.

Terri, you’re wonderful… thanks for everything!

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Sergeant Eric Mejia, one of Christopher’s fellow Marines who had served with him in Iraq, insisted on meeting us in Camp Pendleton to escort us to the memorial and spend some time with us during this very special visit.  With us was Ron, Wayne and of course Terri who had coordinated all of this.

I knew this was going to be an emotional time for me but regardless, I was still unprepared for the wave that was about to come over me.  Even before arriving at the memorial, just speaking with Eric and reminiscing about Christopher was difficult.  And when we arrived at the memorial… well, let me put it this way, I wasn’t the only one all choked-up.

There’s been too many lost.  Let’s make sure we honor them all by helping those Veterans in need that are still with us… our wounded warriors.

At the Memorial with Sergeant Mejia and Terri Beauchamp

The Memorial at "The First of the First"

The Plaque

Painting commemorating the First of the First's Fallen Heroes made by one of Christopher's fellow Marines.

1st Battalion, 1st Marines

After leaving Andrew’s family last night, we made our way down I-5 and I-805 to San Clemente where we camped out on one of California’s state parks right off of the beach.  The next morning we had a relatively short ride into San Diego where we spent the day enjoying the renowned San Diego Zoo.  However our highlight was yet to come.

Ron has been working tirelessly on behalf of Camp Hope and one of his dear friends, Terri Beauchamp, has taken up the torch as well.  So after a day at the zoo, Terri invited us over to her place for a home cooked meal, an evening full of delightful conversation where we were able to enjoy something that has been in short supply on this trip… relaxation.

Terri is a lovely lady who has been working behind the scenes for the past week or so contacting members of Christopher’s Marine unit in Camp Pendleton with the hope of getting some media attention for Camp Hope in the San Diego area.  She also put one of these individuals, Sergeant Eric Mejia, in contact with us.  Her desire was to make our visit to Camp Pendleton special and her wish has come true. 

As soon as Eric heard about the ride, the riders and our mission he insisted on coming out to Camp Pendleton to escort us to the memorial and spend some time with us.  More to come on this in tomorrow’s post.

For now, enjoy some of the pics from the San Diego Zoo.

Monkeying around

Potential new recruit for the ride... hey, it worked for Hannibal.

Some feline friends... lunch is served.

Today was more of the same as we rode through beautiful California vistas from San Luis Obispo, through Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and into Los Angeles.  To be honest it got a bit hectic when driving through Los Angeles on I-5 and then especially on I-405, but we were on a mission nothing was going to keep us from.

One of our good friends from Iraq, Andrew, while still in country and unable to join us insisted on participating in some way in this endeavor.  And I promised him that I would make him a part of this journey by stopping at his home and taking a photo with his family.  Am I glad we did!

Besides the opportunity of meeting his wonderful family—wife, three sons, and in-laws—we were prepared a wonderful feast of Persian food, and it was absolutely delicious. 

Thanks to Andrew’s family for a fantastic time!

Stearns Warf in Santa Barbara

Working out the details of the ride

Scenes from the California Coast

Another Caliifornnia sunset

With Andrew's family in Torrance, CA