
I can’t believe we are sitting here in a cantina at the bottom of the Grand Canyon sipping lemonade. It feels luxurious and I feel like I won the lottery getting an overnight camping spot at Bright Angel Campground in the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

A five star hotel and a martini couldn’t pamper me more than drinking this lemonade in a plastic cup, and staying overnight in our spanking new tent with zippers that work….

Our plan adjusted with the weather, busted equipment and permit demands for going into the backcountry in the Grand Canyon. And probably our tired feet which were still beat up from hiking, or more like wading, for 29.3 miles in a day through Paria Canyon.

It took us about 3 1/2 hours to hike the 9.9 miles and 4,380 feet in elevation loss to the bottom of the canyon and the Bright Angel Campground. We hike down through the geologic formations that are so familiar to us they envelope us like a favorite blanket.

It is so great to be in the canyon again. We set up our new Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 Platinum tent up and it feels HUGE and wasn’t cheap but is very lightweight for two people (2 pounds 15 oz)

Our new Palace. But, hey, we use a tent and are out a lot so maybe it is worth it for us. We will surely test it. We spend the afternoon not doing much of anything and the temperature climbs to 103F. Ok, time to go back for another lemonade…..

