The Ultimate Adventure: Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim

For this week's the Fit Dish link-up, I'm sharing a little story of my golden birthday and the biggest hiking adventure of my life (so far).


Let's go wayyy back in time... My golden birthday celebration all started with running my first road marathon on May 21, 2011.

My almost 24-year-old self doesn't look that much different than me now - just add my husband, a big ole pregnant belly and our toddler to this picture:


I survived the 26.2, stopped to tie my shoe once and crossed the finish with one dying toenail. Gross. My older-younger brother was my "pit crew" and it was a wonderful day because...

Early Birthday Present: I qualified for the Boston marathon!
Equally Awesome: My family and I were leaving for Arizona the next day!

Three days after the marathon, it was officially my golden birthday so my adventurous brothers and I took off to hike across the Grand Canyon.

Apparently we take hiking very seriously. The older-younger bro at my left, youngest bro at my right.


Our Plan: To hike 23 miles from the North Kaibab Trailhead to the Bright Angel Trailhead in one day.

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Our parents so kindly dropped us off at the North Rim trailhead in the early morning and we headed on our way. There was a light dusting of snow on the North Rim and cool temps that morning.


We hiked switchbacks, switchbacks, and more switchbacks!


The cool temps changed to a hot, desert-like climate as we hiked deeper into the canyon. We packed a few water bottles each and were able to re-fill at a couple locations.


Even the desert has a sort of beauty to it.


At the bottom of the canyon, we took a much-needed break at the Indian Garden to cool our feet in Victor's Oasis. The river flowing through this area makes it possible for more vegetation to grow. We ate our packed lunches and continued on our way for the last leg of the hike.


The last leg of our hike was all up as we climbed the South Rim. The views throughout the whole hike were breathtaking!
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. PSALM 19:1

11.5 hours and 23 miles of hiking later, we met up with our parents on the South Rim of the canyon just in time for supper. That pizza tasted extra amazing. I brought my hiking stick with to supper...


My Dream: To return to the Grand Canyon with my husband and our kids some day! That may be years from now but maybe, just maybe we will have teenagers crazy enough to hike Rim to Rim with mom and dad.

And, of course, I hope Grandma, Grandpa, my brothers and their families would join us, too!


What would be your ultimate adventure?
How do you stay active on vacation?

Linking up with the Fit Dish.

Comments

  1. Rim to rim would be an awesome adventure! I bet my kids would love it too :)

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    1. I'm sure they would! It's a great family vacation!

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  2. Wow, what a journey! And wow, you did a marathon and then a 23 mile hike not long after?! Sounds like Dean Karnazes. lol. I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but can't wait to. What an amazing experience. The sites?! WOW. Amy, looks like you have a wonderful family, and I have no doubts your own little family will be extremely active, and likely jump at the chance to do the same trip! Take care : )

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    1. The Grand Canyon is amazing!!! I wish I would have taken a ton more pictures! It was quite an adventure after the marathon and the best birthday present ever. I'm thankful we went as a family because the next year one brother was married, I got married and the youngest brother graduated from highschool. Lots of life changes and this was a great last hurrah!

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  3. This sounds so awesome! I would love to hike rim to rim someday! (I have a few running friends that have talked about running rim to rim to rim. Hopefully we can actually coordinate our schedules to make it happens someday!) My dream adventure would be visiting Australia - especially the outback. :)

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    1. Running rim to rim to rim would be awesome! I heard that they have an ultra run for that!

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  4. Since I've done Patagonia, I'd have to say the Galapagos or New Zealand. I will return to Patagonia one day with Scott and our girls.

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    1. I'm sure it's beautiful! When I think of New Zealand, I just think of Lord of the Rings... looks like paradise!

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  5. What an awesome adventure! the fact that you did it with your brothers is even more cool- I bet you and the hubby make it there with some teens in tow one day!!

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    1. That would be so amazing! I really hope we can go back some day :)

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  6. Ahhh I want to go so so soooo bad!! Let's do it ASAP you can have your little ones on you and Leo's backs the whole way ;)

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    1. Oh I would love to go back! We just need to make sure no one is pregnant! Carrying kids would be one thing but hiking it pregnant would be impossible for me :) We need E to get older and he will carry us all.

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  7. We got the Arch in time to see a group of people starting the canyoneering route that we were looking for. outdooradventureview.com

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