Skied to the post office, and then over to the rim trail. The rim had enough snow to ski on, so we continued to Pipe Creek Overlook and back. Drawback was we didn't bring food or water, since we were only going to the post office. Skied 11 miles in all. By the time we got back at 2 PM, snow was melting enough on some of the walkways that I had to take the skis off about a half mile from the house.

For something new, we hiked down Hermit to Dripping Springs. The west rim drive is open, but there was not only no place to park at Hermit Rest, the Harvey bus was double-parked, blocking off about 6 spaces. So we parked at Pima and walked. The Harvey bus almost ran over me, I suppose following the rule that says they can't cross the double yellow line, but they don't mind double parking.

No one had been to Dripping springs since the last snow. We broke trail for the last half mile. Wondered if there would be a frozen spring, but it was dripping. The snow had not been in the sun at all: it was still crystalline. On the way out, my new ice grippers got caught in my bootlace, and I took a bad fall. Broke the gripper, also. So I guess I can sue the gripper company for not warning me not to trip on a bootlace, and the boot company for making such long laces.

Hiked to Phantom last weekend with the artist in residence. Then Christmas in Prescott. Today hiked down to Skeleton.

I can almost understand these bozos who write their name on a rock: they are just ignorant: but today there was obscene graffiti, and that is just graffiti. Gone now, due to the Squirt Bottle of Retribution.

Found a sleeping bag stashed under the outhouse (eww!) and we'll check it out in a day or so to see if it is still there and carry it out. Probably just couldnt' stand the thought of getting that extra 8 1/2 pounds out the last 900 feet and ditched it.

Our annual trip to Phantom for solstice is done. Robert couldn't come because of his knee surgery, but we took the local artist in residence. Dropped the camera on Asinine Hill. Lots of ice on the Kaibab. I find that songs from My Fair Lady are a good hiking rhythm, but the words need work.
I could have hiked all day, I could have hiked all day
and still have asked for more.
I could have doffed my pack and eaten all my snacks
I've never had before
I told myself, this is a hell of a workout, no matter what my muscles might say
And when I saw that view, well, that is when I knew,
I could have hiked, hiked, hiked all day.

My winter boots are falling apart, so I need a new pair before my next trip in two weeks. Busy, busy, busy.

Yeah, yeah, most of my updates are on facebook now. Been doing a lot of corridor trails. The dog is in renal failure, so we can't leave him with anyone and had to cancel our Thanksgiving overnight, so we decided to do a day hike a day. Wednesday we walked the west rim trail (8 miles) Thursday down to Skeleton Point, Friday I had a gig for the field institute (got paid for that hike!), Saturday skeleton again (it is warmer and sunny on the south Kaibab) and today we were going to do Dripping Springs, but it is snowy and blowy and we are wimps.

Cleaned up a LOT of graffiti: lots of kid with parents who don't know better. Every day there are 10 to 12 tags on the South Kaibab. That Coconino Sandstone is just too inviting, I guess.

Found three new fossils on the Bright Angel. Hiking with little kids (Field Institute Meet the Canyon hikes) they look for stuff close in. Little guy swears he found a shark tooth, but didn't have my camera to take a good picture, so I need to get one and send it to a geologist and see if it really is. It looks promising. this picture isn't the shark tooth: this is a Derbia. I know that one.

What do you do with a day off school? Why you hike to Indian Garden and out. Not too many people on the trail, but lots of gnats! Came out just behind the Park Circus mules, and when they turned off at Three Mile we ran past them. Then got behind the dude mules, but the wrangler graciously moved to a wide spot in the trail and stopped to let us by. "See you soon," he offered, and we snorted (quietly) and beat them out handily. It's not hard to stay ahead of the mules because they stop a lot more than we do.

Erased one graffiti panel and picked up four cigarette butts, a Kleenex, and a napkin. Passed on the really, incredibly gross bandanna, though.

Phantom in November with temps in the 80's. Wow. Robert came willingly for the first time in a few years. Four hours out, even with Robert's bum knee. Spent the layover day going up Phantom Creek.