Curmudgeon at the Terminus of the AZ Trail

Curmudgeon began his descent into the Grand Canyon on Thursday, the 17th, from the South Rim. He camped overnight at Cottonwood Campground. The temp at the bottom was 90. He said it was a struggle going out on the North Rim Kaibab Trail. It was wet and muddy, and temps changed drastically by the time he set up camp. There was snow at the top, and that night, the winds were so strong that he actually had drifts of snow inside his tent. He didn’t sleep well. Had frozen shoes, his water pouch was frozen, and his sleeping bag and tent were wet. He hung them on bushes to dry that morning. He had 36 miles to go. Has been hiking off and on with a young man named Grills. He hikes faster than Tim, but they have been meeting at the end of the day at the same stopping point. He reached the terminus on Easter.

I flew back to Phoenix after my fun trip to Hilton Head with Sean and family. It was so great to see them. I enjoyed time with Pat, Emmy Rooney, and Nancy Urbanski Johnson. Played lots of PuttPutt. I got back to the camper on Easter around 6 pm. I borrowed two slices of bread from the neighbors, Jim and Kathy, and indulged in my Easter dinner of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Jim and Kathy kept an eye out on our camper and bikes. They are shuffleboard buddies and made sure I got to play before leaving on Tuesday!

Found Curmudgeon Tuesday at Sky Harbor! He flew from Page to Phoenix, where I was headed to our Aunt’s house. I was so glad to see him! He lost some weight, and his feet and hands were swollen. I kind of remember that happening when he did his other long hikes. It takes a week or so before they get normal again. But all in all, he was a sight for sore eyes! ❤️

Jackie Rooney, Sharon, Aunt Peg, and Tim

Stayed at Aunt Peg’s Tuesday and Wednesday. Some of you may remember Dr. John Rooney in Findlay. She is his mom. Aunt Peg is 93 and sharp as a tack! Still living in her beautiful home in Sun City West and drives a cute Mini Cooper! She, Tim, and I had lunch with Jackie Rooney in Surprise, AZ, a few miles from Peg’s. It was great to see Jackie. She lives in Sun City.

Jodi Rooney Lair, Sharon and Carol St. Clair

Next stop was at our sister-in-law Jodi’s in Prescott Valley for 2 nights. I think she bought enough food and libations for us to stay a month! Food and company were wonderful! I swam at the clubhouse in her subdivision. The heat was not on yet, so the water was icy cold, but after a couple of laps, I was numb, so I got my mile in. It takes me an hour to do a mile, and a couple of times I almost got out and into the hot tub but decided to keep on. When I did get out, my toes and fingers were so cold. I got into the hot tub, but that was a mistake! I had stayed in icy water too long, and the instant hot water touched me, it sent my body into the shakes. I got lightheaded, so Jodi brought me home. By the time I got back to her house, my body went into shock and started shaking uncontrollably. I went to bed and bundled up in the blankets. It took a couple of hours to get back to a normal body temperature! I was glad when I stopped shaking! Guess I need to check water temp or not stay in for an hour when it’s icy. Hypothermia is scary!

We arrived in Glen Canyon Recreational Park, 20 minutes from Page, AZ. It is an hour from the terminus of the AZ Trail where Curmudgeon ended his hike. He wanted me to see how beautiful this area is, and we found Beth Monroe O’Brian here. She gave us directions to this awesome $7 a night BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camp area. She is here with another camping friend. They took Tim hiking this morning. The hike today was by the terminus trail, where he finished last week. A fellow hiker he had met on the trail, named Rock Slide, was trying to hitch a ride to Page. Beth kindly provided her a ride. Hikers are always so grateful, and as a hiker’s wife, I am grateful to those who have helped him get into towns from the trail!

Mary and Elaine (friends of Beth), Beth and Tim on the Hike

I am amazed at how much the terrain changes from Phoenix to Prescott, then heading north to Page. It was breathtaking! Arizona has so many beautiful, different landscapes! If you haven’t experienced it, you should definitely put it on your bucket list! Tomorrow we head west into California. Till then, have a great week!!!

P.S. I want to give a shout-out to some friends at The Voyager. Kathy and Jim Montgomery. They were awesome about checking on me, playing cards, and shuffleboard while Curmudgeon was hiking. Roland Welsh and I practiced cribbage, played five crowns, and exercised in the pool. I appreciate the time they spent keeping me busy before I headed to Hilton Head. They all have park models there, and I look forward to seeing them again in January!

And, thanks to my neighbors, Lois and Bill, who hosted 8th St. cocktails every Thursday from 4-5:30 AND saved seats for Tuesday Night Bingo.

Snow in His Tent, PB&J in My Belly

Six days and three national parks.

Curmudgeon is almost finished with the AZ Trail!