Mule Power

So happy to see that you finally made it to the Grand Canyon! I think you will agree that photos, no matter how professional, can never do it justice. Did you stay at The Ranch at the bottom overnight?

Strange story: When I climbed down the canyon, it was hot like you describe. Half-way down, I see a man climbing up from the bottom at a fast pace. He was wearing a suit and tie! To this day, I wonder what his story was.

I see they didn't tell you how your mule got her name. She's the genetic SISTER of Killer.

I'm curious-- I heard an interesting piece a couple weeks back on NPR on visiting the GC.

One part of it was dedicated to the mule ride to the bottom -- the guide interviewed was a real character and was talking about spending a spell of time, before the trip down, w/ potential riders trying to talk those on the fence, afraid of heights, nervous, etc. out of participating (for mules spook easily he said) ... was that your experience too?

What was the mule trip's "scare" factor for you?

Had a similar experience in the High Atlas Mts in Morocco...but on Arabian/Berbs; horses with the speed and grace of the Arabians and the agility of the Berbs, like mountain goats...they reacted to the rider (especially your legs!) so at the edge, I turned sideways to take a photo and thought my horse might go down the side of the mountain. But they're so trained, Thank God you want to hug and adopt at the end of the ride. I thought since we were tourists, it'd be an easy ride....but we went up and down steep mountainsides, across streams, through traffic, and the best, up and down stairs in a village as women carrying bags of groceries walked along side us saying hello (as we thought to ourselves...Please get out of the way 'cause we have no idea what we're doin'!) But the animal knew, we just sat straight, leaned forward or back with them...and they did the rest. I'm still forever grateful!! Do think they know they are impressing you as you rode at the edge? They certainly grab your attention! I'm so happy for you that you got to have this wonderful experience!! Sharon

Now all the more reason for you to travel and take pics for us. There is no way on Earth you would see me next to those high drop offs!!!! Very nice!!

Dale: Oh that would bug me too, the guy in the suit! I always kick myself for not trying to find out what the story is, at the time. No, I didn't stay at the Ranch at the bottom, it was just a day trip to Plateau Point, which is probably another hour by mule from the bottom. Next time, I will probably trek to the bottom (and no more mules...)

Liz: Actually, the mules didn't seem that scary to me, it was more the physical pain, of spending 7 hours on a very bumpy road, that made it grueling. I think the only time I felt scared was when they would occasionally stand at the very edge of the canyon, with their heads hanging way over the cliff. My body would just tense reflexly and want to pull back, and I had to close my eyes to keep myself from tensing. And there was one instance where the mule in front of me stumbled on a rock and fell a bit, and all of us in back just gasped and held our breath. But other than those moments (which probably would total about 15-20 minutes out of the 7 hours), I was pretty relaxed the rest of the time.

Sharon: Yeah, they are pretty cool animals. I've always liked horses, even though the older I get, the more my knees don't like the idea of bumping around on a horse...

Shannon: Glad to oblige...but I suspect, if you were there, you'd be very tempted to peek over the edge like that... ;o)

Very cool!

Awesome pictures. We just missed you at Grand Canyon. We hiked down the first 1 1/2 miles. Next time I want to do the rim to rim trek.

Sandy: Oh no, I can't believe we just missed each other at the Grand Canyon! That would have been funny, if we happened to run into each other there...