My niece, Annie Mae (whom I just reacquainted myself w/ after about
15 years), was talking on her blog about some of her favorite places
in the U.S. It got me to thinking and I'd have to say that my
favorite place, thus far, would be the Grand Canyon.

I was living in Texas when I went there. Me and seven other women
(only one of which I knew personally) drove there - a 20 something
hr. drive - and then hiked down the Canyon, spent two nights at
Canyon Ranch (down at the bottom), and then hiked back out. It is
something I'll never forget.
The drive there was crazy. It was in February and many of the roads
to Arizona were icy. I'm not a big fan of driving over ice, but we
made it. I listened to books on tape most of the trip, so the drive
wasn't too bad. We pulled into the tourist site/facilities at the
southern post in the early morning - I think it was around 5:30 or
something. Our group leader's sister worked at the Grand Canyon and
would be our guide down the paths to the ranch below and then back up
in two days time.

After stretching and getting all of our gear together and into her
sister's tiny little trailer, we all went over to the stables to see
the mules, to take a tour of the facilities, drink coffee, and then
we met all the guys who worked there and led the tours. I loved the
mules. They are such gentle, beautiful giants. (For all of you that
don't know, you get a mule from mating a horse and a donkey.) I don't
think I'd ever ride one down the Canyon, like many ppl do, butŠ I
enjoyed being around them.

After about 30 to 45 mins., we all went back to her trailer and got
ready for the journey/hike of our lives. We all carried backpacks
loaded down w/ clothes, water bottles, food, and first aid equipment.
One thing about the backpacksŠ you dont' want 'em too heavy because
you're gonna be carrying these babies for a LONG time. We all got
walking cains, which seemed a little unnecessary in the beginning,
but actually turned out to be an aid in helping to keep your balance
and to take pressure off of certain legs, if you needed it. My cain
became my best friend on the hikeŠ Read more of
<http://grandcanyontours.us/2006/06/17/overcoming-the-fear-of-hiking-t...>Overcoming
your fear of Hiking the Grand Canyon

Paradise Found Tours maintains a website for The
<http://www.paradisefoundtours.com/>Grand Canyon at
http://www.paradisefoundtours.com. The site provides information for
Grand Canyon tours, special news, fees and other pertinent
information.

Other valuable resources:  <http://www.paradisefoundtours.com>Grand
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<http://www.paradisefoundtours.com/tours/las-vegas-tours/>Las Vegas
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<http://www.paradisefoundtours.com/tours/hoover-dam-tours/>Hoover Dam
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<http://www.paradisefoundtours.com/las-vegas-show-tickets/>Las Vegas
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<http://www.paradisefoundtours.com/las-vegas-show-tickets/>Las Vegas
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