Oh, The Places You'll Go!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going... I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - Jesus (John 14:1-6)

Are you surprised at the places you have been able to go? The things you have been privileged to see? The people you have been blessed by knowing? The opportunities you never dreamed you would have? Living in God's will may not afford you all the things you want in this life, but your life will certainly be fulfilled... and that is nothing compared to what God has in store after this life! While I thank God for His wonderful creation, enjoy the pictures, and ensure yourself a place in the most beautiful place to come, a place without a single disappointment and complete with the presence of the Lord!

The journey was long and remote, taking our caravan of young people near the South rim of the Grand Canyon. We arrived at the Hualapai Hilltop parking area at dusk, geared up and hunkered down as the warm wind blew through the canyon, rocking us almost to sleep. Well, until the desert temperature dropped and the helicopter arrived, hovering for an eternity (15 minutes) with it's flood light illuminating the area and rotors echoing off every canyon wall. About 3 AM, most of us had completed our uncomfortable attempt to sleep, donned our headlamps and backpacks and headed down the Havasupai trail in an attempt to beat the morning sun and secure the optimal camp site.
From the parking lot, the eight mile trail takes you to Supai, one of America's most remote villages and the capital of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The only methods for reaching the city are helicopter, mules, horses or hiking...
...and of course, we chose hiking. Descending 3,000 ft to the bottom of the canyon with all of our gear for the next four days wasn't so bad. Coming back, well, we'll get to that part.
Some chose to rent pack mules for carrying their gear.
A view of the Havasu canyon wall as the sun began to rise and we entered Supai.
The weather was perfect for this adventure.
A small Christian Church, post office, school, store, trading post, free roaming animals, ... everything a small village with no vehicle access would need!
After passing through the village and checking in, we continued the next 2 miles to the campground, passing Navajo Falls...
...and Havasu Falls on the way.
The picture doesn't do this waterfall justice as the sun was just cresting the canyon walls and shining on the blue-green water dropping 120 ft. Continuing on, we were scoping out campgrounds for the group and found one at the edge of...
...Mooney Falls, appropriately named after James Mooney who fell to his death climbing up.
Shayna finds the perfect spot she'll call home for the next few nights and tests out the hammock. It's probably better that I not describe the strength of the rushing water or it's destination (seen from above in the previous picture) about 100 feet downstream.
After the rest of the group arrived and set-up camp, we headed back to Havasu Falls to cool off.
Seems as though only one of them is paying attention to the camera-man. The temperature of the water was very pleasant and certainly refreshing as we jumped off the walls and splashed around. But there was a lot to do and see while we were there, so we headed back towards...

...Mooney Falls, complete with the photographer in the shadows. (Click on it for the full effect).
Another view...

...followed by another from the bottom. Our camp site was located about 100 feet behind the falls.
Look what I found under the rainbow in the pool at the bottom.
Ascending the trail back to the top of Mooney Falls. Not something you would want to do in the rain or at night, well, unless you had a really good reason of course.

Cool features along the canyon walls.
Each night and day brought a new adventure, from fending off the hungry squirrels and sleeping peacefully in a hammock to fording rivers and jumping off cliffs. Here's a view looking down the Havasu canyon as we were hiking alongside...
...the beautiful waters of the Havasu River and Beaver Falls.
In some spots the water cascaded down and in others...
...it was smooth and placid...

...until Skyler jumped off the edge...

...still dropping...

...gravity always wins...

...and finally nears the water. Yes, I did it, but once was enough. It was far enough up that you'd jump and scream, run out of breath and realize you were only half way down. Then you screamed for real or repeated The Lord's Prayer.

Something about this doesn't look safe...
...and this one has a high potential for pain. Skyler got "man points" but those may have been washed away by a cracked a rib.
The second day we were there, we headed down to the Colorado River, with a few astounding views like this...
...and this. I love the colors and wish I had a wider lens to capture the rest of the surrounding canyon.
Just a beautiful creation we are occupying for a small time. Maybe I should remind you that this can not be compared to heaven.
Hiking down into the heart of the Grand Canyon, passing many...
...little lizardy creatures. In many areas the trail foliage was grown up and we were bushwhacking through the jungle. Other areas were open, hot and dusty. While I knew there was potential for danger along the way, I was not alarmed by a noise that sounded like a june bug on a hot summer day in New York. Well, not until someone in the rear yelled...
..."rattle snake"! Here he is, slowly slithering away...
...just a foot off the trail! Thank you Lord for keeping us safe. I had always imagined a rattle snake to sound like a baby rattle, not a hissing june bug.
Continuing on our way, criss-crossing the river as we ventured down the canyon, passing beautiful scenes like...
...this. Probably one of my favorite pictures from the trip.
Rounding the bend...

...with large canyon walls surrounding us...

...and a blue Kool-Aid looking stream alongside.
Nine miles and a few hours later, we arrived at the confluence of the blue-green Havasu River and the fast moving Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
The beautiful limestone reflecting color of the Havasu River is swept away by the more powerful Colorado River.
A group of guided rafters had stopped for lunch and pictures.

Makes me thirsty for Kool-Aid.
Similar view...
...as the rafters continue on their journey
...and we take in another view of the amazing scene in front of us and Ryan...
...catches a fish bare-handed. Sardines anyone?
Looking back up the Havasu River...
...and looking West, North and East at a panoramic of the Colorado River. You can see the confluence on the right.
The river wasn't the only brightly colored thing as we all had duck tape on our feet to help with the blisters.
Burying my head in the sand.
One last panoramic looking East up the Grand Canyon.
The crew that took on the mighty Colorado.
They all managed to get in this one.

Where's the "like" button for this panoramic?
You're thinking mini-waterfall and pool. I'm thinking shower.
Mooney Falls as the sun began to set in the canyon.
Folding the arms but not giving up.
More waterfalls.

...but couldn't decide which I liked better...
...or why this seemed like a good idea.

Raging rapids...
...all around.
Ryan sticks his head out along the jungle trail.
"I believe this is Beaver Falls..." he says.
If he's not right, then maybe...
...the sign will tell us. So after a few days of adventuring around, walking a 1/2 mile for spring water and sleeping under the stars, it was time to pack up the garbage, roll-up the hammock and head out of the canyon. In an effort to beat the sun's heat, we got up early and headed out. I probably should have read this sign on my way in to the campground, I took a picture in the dark so I'd be be able to read all the warnings at a later date.
If you get hurt, hopefully it's only on a Monday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday, as that would be the only "quick" way out of the village.
Picture of one of the village home's on our way out.
Jason is happy because he's out. The trail he just climbed up winds down behind him, well, the first 2 miles anyways. The rest isn't quite as steep.
Resting my feet after the loooong, weary hike out... and it was only 8AM!
Advisable speeds on the open range.
As we made our way back, we headed over the Hoover Dam for another tourist stop.
A view from the upstream side...
...complete with a bunker if you look close.
I have to believe they don't have problems with people climbing these utility poles cantilevered over the edge of the Dam.

You were probably thinking I wouldn't be able to take many pictures with only one battery for the journey into the remote Havasupai Indian Reservation. But I hope you have enjoyed the journey and encourage you to go if you ever get the chance! But if that is not in God's will for you, well just be sure that heaven is!

Oh, The places you'll go! - Dr. Seuss