Thanksgiving 2016 - Hike and Bike

Sometime pre-Dash, 12 years ago more or less, Leigh and I arrived a bit late in the morning to hike down Bright Angel Trail from the Grand Canyon South Rim to Phantom Ranch on the bottom across the river. Twelve-mile round trip, 5k descent and climb.   "Not recommended to attempt in one day."  Of course we did it anyway.  Saw a ranger shoot a possibly rabid fox down at the ranch (it took several shots and some were upset).  We climbed the last 1000-ft vertical in dark twilight and ate a celebratory dinner at the lodge.

Twelve years later, son in tow.  Arrived late again, this time because I was in too much of a hurry to plan ahead properly and because they avoid putting the over-the-rim hikes on all the maps.  They don't want tourists spontaneously doing a strenuous descent-and-ascent. 

It was pretty clear that we weren't going to have the daylight to make the full roundtrip, but the 3-mile stop was completely makeable, perhaps we could get to the observation point overlooking the narrow steep gorge girdling the river.  Onward ho.

Milepost 1.5 with restrooms and water was quickly reached, but super athlete Dash was starting to get a little complain-y approaching the 3-mile outpost.  I'm surprised that Dash is the weak link here and so soon.  I try to convince him to continue to the overlook.  Leigh points out that "since we can't go all the way, all goals are arbitrary at this point."  We turn up.

Let's just say that 12-years is a long time to have typing be your primary physical activity.  A little volleyball does NOT go a long way.  Dash was fine, dangling granola bars just out of my reach to keep me trudging forward.  Huff, puff.  Raising eyebrows at the parents following their four-year olds down the trail.  "I see why they don't advertise this trail.  Too many rescues." 

I thanked Dash many times over the course of the trip for wimping out on the full descent.

A couple of days later we were back at Dead Horse Point for another go at Dash's first real off-road bike ride.  Four years ago, to the day, he hit his first slick-rock trail.  Initially intimidated, he got the hang of it and completed a 3-mile loop along the rim of a beautiful canyon. 

He's done a lot of riding since then, but we've kind of spoiled him with chairlifts (Snow Summit and Mammoth Mountain).  Scenery was stunning as expected and the ride was about as easy a loop as I've ever done (we did the 9-mile Big Chief Loop this time).  We was complain-y.  Turns out his seat was in the fully-down position, which was about two inches two short three months ago.  Adjusted it too late to save the mood. 

Based on his complaininess, I was reluctant to do a harder ride.  Moab really is the biking capital of the West, with over a thousand trails; you kind have to know what you want and where to go, though.

We hiked Arches' Delicate Arch, retracing our steps from four years ago.  Last time, Dash was mad because we didn't set his expectations properly.  He had been climbing and running and jumping around some of the trails the previous day (Double Arch) which were low, flat and wide.  He carried the same attiude up to Delicate Arch, which, at the top, is anything but low, flat and wide.  By the time we reigned him in, he had a bad attitude.  This time we were prepared and he was a charm.