Natural Wonder of the World #1

My goodness!  Where has February gone?  Not that I'm sad to be closer to Spring, mind you.  But it just seems like the last two weeks haven't existed.

After months of tests, my mom went in for lower back surgery on February 10th, and she is still recovering.  She had the staples taken out of her back two days ago, but she still won't be even working part-time for another week.  Still, she is up and about every now and then: off to the store, off to the doctor, etc.  She's still in a lot of pain, so please pray for her.

At least her employer is going out of their way to make her transition back to work comfortable.  They bought her an executive chair and a cot for when she needs to rest.  Pretty nice of them, I think.

My dad's birthday was last Saturday, and I never got to calling him.  I feel really bad about that.  We talked Wednesday, mostly about my Mom's recovery, but I couldn't help but feeling like I made him feel sad.  I know once you get over fifty, most people don't like a big deal to be made over their birthdays, but all the same, a call would have been nice, and I still feel bad.  I wish I were more involved in my family members' lives, but we are just so far away, now.  Hopefully, Dad will find a job back here in the midwest, soon. :)

In other news, the last couple days have been non-stop packing and preparing for Kris and my trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  We leave to stop by Kris' parents' place tonight, and then it's off to Vegas tomorrow.  We tried on our fully-packed backpacks last night.  Mine weighed in at 55 pounds, and Kris' pack at 40 pounds.  They will thankfully be lighter on the hike out of the canyon, since we'll have eaten most of the food.  For anyone with nothing else to do right now, you can read our itinerary.


Saturday, February 26

CHICAGO-MIDWAY(MDW) to LAS VEGAS NV(LAS)
Flight 1185 M (flight status not available until day of)
Depart CHICAGO-MIDWAY(MDW) at 11:05AM and
Arrive in LAS VEGAS NV(LAS) at 12:55PM

Pick up rental car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
(702) 795-8842
Confirmation Number: D8LHNH
Pick Up Date:  February 26, 2005 at 1:00 pm

Drive to Henderson, NV to purchase last minute supplies, eat late lunch, etc.
Drive to Grand Canyon, AZ

Lodging:
Bright Angel Lodge
Phone: 303-297-2757


Sunday, February 27

Mid-day – begin Backpacking Trip
Hike down South Kaibab trail to Bright Angel Campground
Spend night at Bright Angel Campground


Monday, February 28

Hike along river and corridor trails
No planned itinerary
Spend night at Bright Angel Campground

Tuesday, March 1

Hike up Bright Angel trail (if it is reopened – otherwise, hike up South Kaibab)

Backpacking:
emergency contact #: 928-638-2477
(only call this number if it is fairly certain we are lost in backcountry somewhere – search and rescue is expensive!!!!!)

Lodging:
Bright Angel Lodge
Phone: 303-297-2757

Wednesday, March 2

Day hikes at Grand Canyon
No itinerary planned

Lodging: may be camping on the rim in Mather campground or may be at hotel in Grand Canyon, Williams, or Flagstaff – depends on weather and $


Thursday, March 3

Day hikes at Grand Canyon
No itinerary planned

Lodging: may be camping on the rim in Mather campground or may be at hotel in Grand Canyon, Williams, or Flagstaff – depends on weather and $


Friday, March 4

Drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

See Las Vegas sites

Lodging:
Motel 6 -- Las Vegas - Tropicana , NV
195 E Tropicana Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 798-0728


Saturday, March 5

See more of Las Vegas

Cami’s Wedding: 4pm
Reception: 6pm

Both are held at:
Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino
3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV
888-529-4828
702-730-7777

Lodging:
Motel 6 -- Las Vegas - Tropicana , NV
195 E Tropicana Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 798-0728


Sunday, March 6

Drop off rental car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Drop Off Date:  March 6, 2005 at 7:00 am


Sunday, March 06 - LAS VEGAS NV(LAS) to CHICAGO-MIDWAY(MDW)
Flight 1225 M
Depart LAS VEGAS NV(LAS) at 08:05AM and
Arrive in CHICAGO-MIDWAY(MDW) at 01:35PM