Winning Strategies

River Canyon Adventure

Today we are up at the crack of dawn and off to Grand Canyon Airlines for a full day tour. The tour includes a flight over the canyon, a jeep tour of Antelope Valley and a float down 15 miles of the Colorado River (a gentle float- not white water). This is our last day of vacation before we get on a flight to return to Dallas. Attached is a picture of Lake Powell as seen from my window seat of the small aircraft.

Hangin' with the Elk

Right outside of Mathers Campground, I spot an Elk grazing by the roadside. I have seen more wildlife close up here in the Grand Canyon than we did when we were in Alaska.

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The Grand Canyon by RV

We have found touring the Grand Canyon by RV quite refreshing. We booked our RV on www.CruiseAmerica.com and chose the 30 foot RV. They charge a daily rate and then 30 cents a mile in addition.

I am an RV illiterate, in that before this trip I knew absolutely NOTHING about RVs. The generator creates electricity when there aren't available power hookups, there is a bathroom and a water tank as well as fuel for the stove and fridge. These recreational vehicles are pretty amazing. Now if only they could cook for you and do the dishes. (Laugh)

Bright Angel Hike

We hike down 1 1/2 miles into the canyon. The views are amazing around each turn. The boys are complaining around each corner (ha ha- you know I'd be lying if I didn't admit that). LOL

For the hike down and back, it took us approximately 3 1/2 hours.  It was rigorous on the way up out of the canyon.  The views take your breath away. God's country is amazing.

The Fam and the helicopter

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Helicopter Ride over the Grand Canyon

All I can say is wow! We settled into a helicopter and 'jumped off a cliff' in a whirly bird.  It was breathtaking.  Our tour was courtesy of Maverick Helicopter just outside of the south rim of the canyon.  Check them out on the web at http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/canyon.php

We went on the Canyon Spirit tour.  It was amazing.

Technical Challenges

It has been quite the challenge to blog in the Grand Canyon without a computer. I see some of the pictures are uploading twice and I can't correct it until I get to a computer. It is truly interesting blogging with a blackberry. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The Grand Canyon

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The Quiet (pic)

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The Quiet

I sit, transfixed by the silence and in awe of what the world sounds like with no footsteps, no voices, no televisions, no phones, and only the sound of the wind caressing the outer cover of the RV. I am at peace.

You forget what the world is like when it is not rushed, full of pressures, and when you are not governed by a watch. Words pour out of me unfettered and I find myself drifting away into a writers oblivion. The birds ar singing to me and nature cries out to be noticed and appreciated.

I wish for each of you a few minutes of your week to be this quiet, the restful, and this serene. For- in our haste to run through life, we are forgetting to live it. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T