Phantom Ranch

Now only a few hours from the next watering station, I was becoming quite shaky, and we certainly in need of food and to rest! There was a lack of shade, and my backpack had begun digging itself a new hole into my back. My left heel was beginning to blister, and my calves were tired. Despite it all, and perhaps in light of slight dillusion, I was in good spirits and determined to carry on.

The next several hours were somewhat of a blur, I remember drinking lots of water, and shoving as much cliff bar at my face as I could. I also remember having to pee a lot. I was scouting out a spot, none of which were very hidden, and sent Norman ahead to stop anyone who might come along. I started pulling down my pants, and he peaked his head around the sandstone rock. With a very annoyed look I threw out my hands, "what?" I couldn't hear him, so I shooed him away and began again. Sure enough he popped his head back around in a slight panic and held the number 2 up. "Distract them!" I had to go! Once again I began to pee, and two more heads strolled out from behind the rock. I pulled myself back together and stood in annoyance waiting for the old man and perhaps his daughter to pass... They walked on by, found a little shade under a rock, sat down and stared at me in wonder. ERRRrrr.... I buttoned up with my back to them and walked a bit further down the trail. Luckily Norman had gone on his way, and I scouted out another "hole" in a crease in the rock. I squatted down on the rocky surface and finally began to relieve myself. ... but, to my surprise, the ground was hard enough for the urin to splash right back. Aww Man! Better yet, the wind blew up and sprinkled me from head to toe. Isn't that nice. Haha ( I can laugh now).

Once I met back up with Norman, I insisted in getting into the river (to wash off... i didn't tell him that). Back into the refreshing water, not only cooling my off, but my 2nd bath of the day. Nothing better to get off the sweat and urin of a hard day's hike.

Norman was telling me about the next camping ground, and promised we'd get lemon-aid and ice cream. We couldn't have been more than an hour away now. With thoughts of the next shade and ice cream... I arrived at Phantom Ranch in no time. I threw off my pack, and rushed back into the bathroom. This was about the 4th time I've had to go in the last hour. With the luxury of a flushing toilet, running water, SOAP, and a mirror, I had to celebrate by cleaning up (what a treat!).

I wobbled into the lodge, I was so very sore by then (not to mention the rash). Once again in 'civilization', I threw myself back into a chair that I never intended in getting up from. Norman ordered us lemon-aids as we looked around for ice cream. He inquired with a null response of, "Sir, do you know what kind of logistics it would take to get ice cream down here?"

It was well over 100 degrese, and we were miles from any ReAl sort of civilization. Not to mention we were in a no fly zone. All this in mind, they still seemed to have electricity, ice, and a large stash of candy bars (oh and steak dinners)?

A long rest, lemon-aid, a few tales about dumb deaths in the Grand Canyon, and numerous cany bars later, it was time for Norman and I to part. We walked out to the Colorado River together, and parted in the middle of the bridge with a wave goodbye. One of the best one day friends I've ever had, whom I probably won't ever see again.