Grand Canyon Trip '07

After finishing camp a few of us made a decision to make a trip to the Grand Canyon for Chris since it is his first time to America. We camped out there for 3 days at Mather Camp Grounds. Chris wanted to hike the Grand Canyon and see the Colorado River, which sounds like an awesome idea but we suffered of sore muscles for several days...
The view of the Grand Canyon and the trail we touch to get the the bottom. (Bright Angel Trail)
We arrived around four or 5 and setup the tent at Mather Camp Ground and started cooking dinner and drinking some beer to prepare for the hike the next day! It was a two hour drive to get there and only took twenty minutes to setup for the night.

(Pictured above right to left: Chris Nick Me Jeremy)

The next day we started the hike at the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim around ten o'clock. This was our second day at the canyon. All excited for what lied ahead of us. We started by running down the trail for about three miles or more. Until we arrived at Indian Gardens which is a little over half way to the Colorado River.

After a long hike for about three and half hours we finally made it to the Colorado River! All tried from the run we relax and take time to eat our lunch which was packed in the back packing bag along with tons of water.After eating lunch we spent time cooling off in a stream that ran into the Colorado River. It was like a slip and slide. After playing around and relaxing we started the long climb back to the top of the Canyon!

(Pictured above right to left: Nick Jeremy Me Chris)

Almost to the top of the canyon after five hours of climbing back up! There is a warning sign that say in multiple languages warning people to not attempt to hike to the Colorado River and back in one day! Saying that 250 people die a year trying to do what we had just finished!

The last day at the canyon group picture... Nick didn't want to get out of the car to see the canyon again! Pictured above right to left: Me Chris Jeremy.

Chauncey Ranch

This summer was spent working at Chauncey Ranch as a camp counselor/outdoor eduction teacher. I started working there in February of '07 as rock climbing instructor and teaching schools outdoor ed. After teaching outdoor ed summer time had begun and I was hired on as a camp counselor. I lived on the ranch in a room that was 6'x8' and was my home until camp started. While waiting for camp to start 2 other guys showed up a few weeks early and were placed in that room with me. Jeremy and Nick were there names. We became very close in those few weeks working around the ranch doing a number of things from cleaning to hard physical labor.

We had staff training week, which was spent planning and preparing for the children to arrive. Which included more cleaning and cleaning. Once everyone arrived we spent time getting to know each other. The boys included Jeremy, Nick, Chris, Jesus, Cesar, and Cesar. The girls included Danielle, Amanda, Meridith, Cameron, Mattie, Erin, and Janessa. We all became close friends well the guys anyways.

The first week of camp I was placed with nine to ten year old boys with Jesus. Him and I spent 4 weeks working with the same age group. It was fun and was long hours. Jesus decided to quit and get a better job that actually paid money which I wish I had did! So they moved me to work with the youngest kids. That age group was 7-8 year olds, although I had kids older then that too. This was the age group that I stayed with for the rest of the camp summer. The were know as the cow pokes and only stayed for three days at a time.

During the first couple of weeks working there I inherited as son along with my girlfriend who also worked at this camp and where I meet her. She is a wonderful person and I am very happy that we meet. Our son was Danny a little boy that was nine years old and one of the cutest little kids I have ever meet! Kilee (my girlfriend) and I gave this kid everything he wanted.

So... To need the long summer. I walked away with several things; life lesson, ability to work with others and children, parenting skills, a wonderful girlfriend, and many other things.
This is the climbing wall and zip line that I ran. It is a 45 foot tower. There is also high ropes with is approximately 25 foot off the ground. There is also the Pamper Pole which is a pole that is 35 feet of the ground that you jump off of and try to grab a trapeze bar which is 6 feet away.