4/22/18 Grand Canyon today was our first full day with Matt, Sammy and Lucy. We started off finishing to register Matt & Sammy for the overnight mule ride to Phantom Ranch at the base of the canyon, about a 5,000 ft decent and a 17 mile round trip hike. The original plan was for the two of them to hike down, spend the night and hike back the next morning. Wendy prevailed in calling at least 25 times over the past few weeks for openings in the reservations. I think she was on a first name basis and was able to answer the 10 or so questions without being asked. She just spouted out the answers when someone answered. It was pretty funny when Matt and Sammy saw how deep the canyon really is, they commented over and over that they were so happy they were NOT hiking.

 Their mule ride will take the Bright Angel Trail down the canyon through a tunnel and over a bridge of the Colorado river to the Phantom Ranch where they will rough it in a cabin and have a steak dinner. Not bad!

                                     The below pictures are a portion of the trail they will take.

 After check-in we walked the rim and actually revisited the scene of the crime where Matt was left with a babysitter 24 years ago when he was 4, while the rest of took the mule ride half way down and back. Matt never forgot nor let us forget.

Our little trooper

Their are a few very cool structures built at the turn of the century, The Hopi House and the El Tovar Hotel.

                                                                      El Tovar hotel

                                                                         lobby

 The balance of the day we took a drive through some of the scenic pullouts. The Watch Tower overlook was pretty cool, built in 1920's to resemble an ancient tower. The climb up 70 feet is the highest point in Grand Canyon

Long day

                                                      Lucy out lasted her Dad.