Happy Hike Day, everyone!
Our morning started with a surprise car alarm wake-up at 1:45 am but other than that, most of us slept great under the stars and Arizona breeze! Despite the chilly weather, we were up and at 'em by 4 am and left for the sunrise around 4:30am! we walked through the dark forest like zombies on the way to the bright angle trail head as we were fueled by peanut butter bagels, bananas, and the promise of a breathtaking sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Options were 1, 3, or 6 miles so we all picked various adventures! Here's to laughter, snacks, and unforgettable views!
Retro
On this epic hike day, the bravest souls among us—the daring 13—embarked on the audacious 6-mile journey. Meanwhile, the rest of us played it safe with the 1 or 3-mile options. Laney, our wildlife spotter extraordinaire, exclaimed, "We saw a deer!" Cue everyone whipping their heads around in excitement and snapping countless pics with KS! As they turned around they realized it is going to be a bigger challenger than the hike down.
The 3-milers had a wildlife extravaganza on their hike day! Picture this: a majestic mountain goat striking a pose, chubby (and hopefully not rabid) squirrels doing their thing, and a parade of hard-working mules making their way.
But wait, there's more! In a moment straight out of a comedy sketch, Valerie nearly got knocked over by a domino effect of people trying to dodge those mules. It was like a scene from a wild-western, with Valerie as the unsuspecting hero navigating through the chaos.
Dap me up bro
The daring 6-milers thought the uphill would be a breeze after their descent, but oh boy, were they in for a surprise! After a 30-minute photo shoot (thanks to MC's influence), we bravely started our trek back up the canyon.
Reality hit hard—we quickly realized we were SO, SO, SO WRONG. Every couple tenths of a mile became a pit stop for recharging and catching their breath lol. Any who, we conquered it and nearly set a TWB record for speed!
Just when we thought it was over, MC threw in a twist—no easy bus ride back to camp for them. Nope, we had to hoof it for an additional 1.5 miles. Ouch! Our glutes and calves are definitely feeling the burn!
And remember Grant's wise words: "Down is optional, but up is MANDATORY." Ain't that the truth!
As we ascended, group by group, some of us hitched rides on the bus while others opted for a leisurely cool down walk back to camp. With our spare time some of us decided call our parents (you're welcome), finally hit the long-awaited laundry mat, or indulge in a steaming hot ($2.50!) shower. Meanwhile, us 1-milers had our priorities straight—we hustled off for scrumptious chocolate chip pancakes to fuel up for the adventures still ahead!
While we anxiously waited for the laundry (because no one wants their clothes on the floor, right?), Grant unleashed his culinary wizardry with the mysterious Deaton Stew. What was in it? No idea, but man, was it delicious! Mystery stew for the win!
Post-stew feast, it was time for adventure! Dallas, our fearless encourager, rallied us into groups of 6 or more to explore the wonders awaiting us. Some brave souls opted for the Red Line Rim Tour, soaking in a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Grand Canyon in all its majesty.
Meanwhile, others took a different route—straight to the village's gift shops, where wallets got lighter but hearts got fuller with souvenirs galore. From quirky mementos to handmade treasures, there was something for everyone!
George asked for a few swings
Gopher took the time to play a prank on Dallas… Gophers Story is as follows: “I buy the scorpion in secret and I wait for the perfect moment to place the scorpion behind Dallas while she was sitting down. I asked did you not see the scorpion behind you? She jumped so high!”
Ah, the night was filled with unforgettable moments! We held a legendary group sing-along where voices harmonized like pros and then had a thoughtful surprise from our counselors which was another sportswear shirt saying the date we conqured the challenging Grand Canyon hike. How sweet of them! These were even long sleeve so maybe we won't be as cold tonight!
But wait, the fun didn't stop there. To cap off the evening, Caleb treated us to a bedtime story that had us in stitches—titled "Who Pooped in the Park?" Yep, you heard that right! Who knew a tale about park pooping could be so hilarious?
The infamous!