Grand Canyon

Date:
May 15-21

Participants:
Michael (Dad), Patricia (Mom), Rebekah, Daniel, Elisabeth, Hannah, Evangela, Christian, and Rachel Gent; Joseph and Hannah Gent; Jonathan, Lindsey, and Eowyn Gent; Ray and Margaret Robinson; Jack (Mr. Guccioni), Arlene, Jack and Gionni Guccioni.

Arrival:
The drive had been fairly uneventful, and we were only about an hour and a half from the canyon. We stopped for gas one last time, and then disaster. The car wouldn't start. After several hours of trying to stay cool, find the part we needed, install the part we needed, and recollect everybody we got under way again, arriving only six hours after we had planned.
First Day:
We spent a fairly relaxed morning before moving on to see the canyon.
Eventually, the group split into two groups. Joseph, Ray and all of the girls went to get pictures and to shop, while Dad, Jonathan, Christian, and I went looking for fun.

Trying to avoid the heaviest crowds, we ended up finding ourselves at the edge of the park with few tourist around, and no rangers at all. Perfect time to get some real photos.
After finishing our respective hikes we all gathered back at the campsite for dinner, and then settled down to the serious business of planning the next days hike. As Jonathan has wisely pointed out, "the study of maps and trail guides should not be taken in a casual or flippant manner."
Second Day: Dripping Springs
Having decided to head to dripping springs the night before, we began our three mile decent about ten in the morning.
About twenty minutes into the hike a rain cloud blew over, giving everyone a brief wetting and dropping the temperature about ten degrees.
Proceeding through the, now temperate, canyon, we made our way to Drippings Springs.
You can't see it, but water is dripping from that bunch of ferns in hanging from the ceiling. We caught a bite to eat, refilled our water bottles from the spring, and began our ascent.
After our return to the canyon rim, we were able to get a picture of our entire group (minus the Robinsons) .
Recommendation:
It's a long trip, but well worth it.