Got out of the corridor this weekend to do a Hermit Bright Angel. Met one guy who camped (probably illegally -- no permit) at Hermit on his way to Horn. He said we should have camped in the overhang to get away from the dew, and I said, "Yeah, except it is illegal." He grinned, "You pays your money and you takes your chances". Except since I didn't see a permit, perhaps he did not pay his money.

Weather was nice: ice on the trails is melting fast. Lots of mud. The mules really tear up the trail when it is wet.

It was cold and we got dewed upon because we are too stubborn to put up a tent. Found some nice fossils. Indian Garden had no one at 3 PM and by dark it was almost full. Quiet, though. The gal next to us never made a sound, but she was chain smoking. I managed to carry my thumb drives down: they were in my jacket pocket. Baked a chocolate cake at Indian garden for Valentine's Day but it didn't work quite right.

When we were at Cinch-up, a young lad stopped me and asked if I would mind being in a movie. I replied, "I am ready for my close-up, Mr. Lucas". They are making a new orientation film for the new visitor center, and I might be in it. I suppose the skirt and the purple top (which perfectly matched the purple ear band) were hard to pass up.