 |
| My crew in front of a petroglyph/pictograph site: Dylan, Matt, me, Brian, Abby, Sam (and Shari took the picture) |
 |
| Petroglyphs |
 |
| Looking at the petroglyphs and pictographs from between 500BCE and 800AD |
 |
| Scrambling with full packs |
 |
| Shari feeling around for a solid grip |
 |
| Creating the perfect mullet |
 |
| Burying most of the hair |
This spike was totally epic. I am in awe of the North Kaibab and so far it is my favorite spot. We worked on both the Horse Springs Trail and Snake Gulch Trail. A brief rundown: Two encounters with rattle snakes; only 1.5 days of work out of 8; pictographs and petroglyphs; Sam and Abby joined our crew for the remainder of the term; Easter egg hunt; frolicking in a purple wildflower meadow; one dead rabbit of the six that ran in front of the vehicle in the span of one hour; Brian's haircut with the trauma shears from the medkit; I attached a chunk of Brian's hair to Sam as a rattail, and people back at the shop thought it was real; slept in a cuddlepuddle under the stars 5/7 nights, the other 2 nights were in a tent after one of the snake incidents; Brian and Abby got lost in a canyon and we almost called a SAR team; Matt is afraid of bats; spent half a day hiking by myself and climbed on top of a giant boulder and meditated and did yoga in the sun; attacked by a hummingbird who decided my red sports bra was a flower; camped the last night next to one of the rims of the Grand Canyon--we got there after dark and awoke to a spectacular view; had the most badass project partner, David; ate a huge meal in town for Brian's birthday and then watched Sam and Matt consume an additional two BigMacs each; saw Sunset Crater; hiked down our water and I felt like a rectangle.
Additionally, Sam and I are going to have a Boggle tournament, dance-off, and Magic card tournament after next spike and when I win all three he will have to eat a carrot and tomato every day of the next spike. He seems to think he will win and if that were to happen, I would have to eat two Little Debbie snacks each day.
Seriously though, this spike was incredible.
Tomorrow I am hiking Mt. Elden with Ellie with 50 pounds in my pack. She hasn't been backcountry yet, and her crew will have their first backcountry spike this upcoming week. She is quite nervous, and asked if I'd hike with her. I think I must be a little nuts, but it should be fun. Dylan is going to come as well! Also tomorrow, I am going to be Brian's adult and take him to and from a medical procedure because he will be put under for it. I thought it was pretty neat that he asked me to be his adult. On Saturday, I am heading to Phoenix with about 10 other CRECers and Missy will come as well. Some people are going to a big concert, but the rest of us are going to go clubbing. Sunday we are going to lay out by Jon's pool and drink margaritas. Oh, the rough life I lead! I am such a lucky person. Last night at Ladies 80s, I busted out some serious dance moves and spent most of the night breaking it down with a man in a pink bunny suit. Today I went out for breakfast, and spent the rest of the day watching movies and napping with Mike. Life is pretty sweet. It is Easter this weekend, and Shari and her housemates are out of town, so I am taking care of her horses for a couple of days. Monday I'm climbing with Dan. Ahhhhh Flagstaff is becoming a real home! I am such a lucky, lucky person!
