Grand Canyons

Hello all and welcome back! This is the fifth post and covers among other things the first segment of our hike from Damascus to Bland Virginia.  At the start of this post is a picture of  the Virginia highlands.

My Mom (originally a Jenkins) and Dad when they were newly married made a trip for the first time in their lives to the American West. Uncle Paul (current hiking partner aka brother Paul's namesake) also went along and some other relatives were no doubt present as well but sorry Jenkins clan am not sure exactly which ones. The primary destination of their journey was the Grand Canyon and they like so many upon first sight of that wonder were astonished by its beauty. Here is a picture of the canyon's bright angel trail that they decided on the spur of the moment to travel on.

After a few minutes of walking Uncle Paul told the group to stay put and he would go find some mules so they could ride all the way to the Colorado River some 8 miles and four thousand feet below. In the meantime Dad had made friends with somebody from Europe whom took off walking and as he followed that man so did the other group members. An hour or so and a few miles later Uncle Paul showed up with the news that no mules could be found for the journey. As they had already traveled awhile the decision was made to keep on going to the bottom, despite the fact that the only water they had for four people was a picnic thermos jug. Plus Dad was wearing his dress  shirt with tie and Mom her traveling dress with low platform shoes. They got to the river in good condition, refilled the thermos and started the hike back out. By that time though the midday sun was out and the group worried if they had enough water and energy to make it out. Uncle Paul set everyone down and said "listen we will be okay, stay calm and I will find water somewhere and we will make it out of here." A few miles later the group was nearly out of water and still a long ways from topside. Uncle spotted a cabin not far off the trail and took off to get help. He ignored the posted sign which said no water or food available for hikers and knocked on the door. Luckily a woman answered and after explaining the circumstances refilled the thermos and made sandwiches for everyone. Thanks to her kindness the gang got to the top before it was too late at night and all were a okay. They were very fortunate. As a youngster hearing the story of how my parents jaunt in the grand canyon could have ended in disaster hundreds of times I figured that hiking mainly was equated with beating the odds to stay alive. As grew older came to understand that there are tons of adventures one can have without putting life and limb at risk.

No wonder that challeging adventures in the outdoors have always stuck in my memory as grand canyons. The first segment of our Appalachian Trail hike in the highlands of southern Virginia definitely belongs in that category. We had a glorious 11 days of hiking the first leg. Most all of the time there was no one else around for miles and miles. The views were stunning,  the climbs invigorating, the streams flowing. One would be hard pressed to hope for more despite the fact that it was like freezing cold the whole time. Icicles everywhere, 10 degree nights, frozen boots, numb feet, howling winds, snow drifts and the list goes on. Coming down off a mountain on the third day we ate lunch in a privy as that was the only place could take the gloves off and not worry about frost bite. The last couple of days walked in a snowstorm. It was hard to see the white blazes on the trees and we did go off track a few times. One more wrong turn and we easily would have not reached our last night's campsite until well after dark if at all. Here is a picture of that day's destination named appropriately the Jenkins Shelter! Grandpa Jenkins would be happy we made it there!

As it was everytime brother Paul sat down on a log to rest I worried that we would end up like Warren Beatty unable to move in the snow at the end of McCabe and Mrs.Miller (of course he was also shot but that is besides the point). That is my brother sitting on the log and the one right below him is what was going through my mind as to how we could end up if didn't keep moving!

A positive is that the weather provided the opportunity for my first backpack ever in winter conditions. Plus can sing when no one else is around. Songs about home were best although trying to vocalize Honolulu city lights in driving snow on slippery paths can really make the voice crack.

Another plus is that only walked into one tree (did bang the head several times though entering and exiting privies). Also glad to report that kept the loss of personal items at a minimum. Will confess, however, that spent an anxious halfhour or more in the dark looking for my ID/money pouch on a deserted roadway, but turned out that had not lost such after all as the item was later found in the backpack hip belt. Did lose a woolen stocking hat but compared to previous trips the losses so far are manini. That good news plus the snow adds up to this being one epic trip already! There is much more that could write about the first segment but will probably have to wait till get home to do so. Reason being that have to get ready to get back on the trail. We are itching to have some more grand canyon experiences!

Here is Paul and I at the beginning of our trek. Thanks for reading and for all the well wishes. Is most appreciated.

Grandpa and Grandma Jenkins are in this picture.

He is around 82 years young at the time of the photo. My Grandpa Jenkins was a great great man as was his wife a great great woman. The same goes for our Mom and Dad and of course Uncle Paul.