Grand Canyon Day 2

We spent 2 nights camping at Mather Campground.  That was really nice because Wednesday we had the entire day to see the Canyon.  We were real tourists, we stopped at all the visitor centers, overlooks, and gift shops.  The exchange students visiting were the catalyst for the trip.  I have a firm belief that if you live in Arizona, even if it is only 1 semester, you must visit  Grand Canyon!   Our friend, Wayne Clement, came with us and he had 3 exchange student girls with him, 2 from Brazil and 1 from Denmark. We brought Ladson (who unfortunately isn't in many of our photos, because spent most of the trip enjoying the company of the other Brazilian exchange students) and another exchange student Paulo.   Anyway, Wayne had the great idea to hike part of the Bright Angel Trail, so that the Students could feel justified buying the shirts that say "I Hiked the Grand Canyon".  They did hike, and they did appreciate buying the shirts! Abby told me she wanted a shirt too, I told her I would buy her one when she hikes Rim-to-Rim.  She liked that idea, you go girl!

This is us at one of the overlooks. 

Abby, doing some observing for one of the requirements in the junior Ranger booklet! Some more of us in the background, also working on the booklets.  All the kids earned their Junior Ranger Badges.  The one great thing about the program this time, was that we had to attend a ranger talk as one of the requirements.  We learned all about Tarantulas.  I thought the ranger did a great job, she even liked Kenneth's sense of humor!

Sydney and Louise.  It was a lot of fun to have Louise on the trip.  She was easy to talk to, she told us all about her life in Denmark.  I think Sydney enjoyed her company the most, I could tell because I didn't see her with a book, except while we were driving.

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Hazel on the rim, with a tree!

Syd and Louise again, deep in conversation.  I think it we learned more about Denmark in a week, than we have learned about Brazil in 2 months.  I am not sure what the difference is but, the students don't like to talk about their lives in Brazil.  We have finally stopped asking because they don't want to talk about it.   I often wonder what my own kids would be like as exchange students.

 Me, Cecy, and Rebekah on our way down Bright Angel Trail.

 The overachiever group.  Kenneth, Christian, Truman, Sydney, Abby, and Louise (the student from Denmark) hiked to the second water stop.  The rest of us only went to the first water stop and then hiked out. I was surprised that Paulo, who complains about the 1/2 mile walk home from school, was one of the best hikers in our group.  It probably helps that he speaks so little English, that there was no way for him to complain.

 Christian and Abby looking good after the hike. (Sydney and Louise, not looking bad, right behind)

 Waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the campground.  Which is an interesting story.  The  Shuttle came and was pretty full.  We thought that all the shuttles would be that full, so we got as many kids on as we could.  We actually got everyone on except Me, Abby, Wayne, and Christian.  We rode on the next shuttle (about 10 minutes behind).  As we were walking on the trail from the road to the campsite, some deer (6-8) came running through.  Wayne pointed them out and I looked just as they passed. Chasing fast behind them was a MOUNTAIN LION!  It was much more exciting than the one at the zoo.