What happend when you return to civilization and are not prepared!

RECENT TRIP TO FLAGSTAFF: 

Hotel Room: $70.00

Shower Fee for being in Hotel Room: $20.00 


Sleeping in Van at Wal-Mart parking lot: FREE


Step Brothers Movie Viewing in Van while parked at Wal-Mart: $8.00


Police Called on You for having people visit your room by crazy hotel lady: $pain in the ass


Grocery Store Dinner for 10 people: $80.00


A much needed adult beverage: $6.00 
 
Learning how to successfully be homeless and have fun: PRICELESS 


Oh, and we also got to see the Grand Canyon!

 ITS VERY LARGE!

Building Trails and sleeping under the stars!

Sun One (and myself) have been in the Arizona area working for the Grand Canyon Trust for about 3 weeks now. The project we have been working on (and have recently completed) was constructing/renovating the Maze Trail. A trail in the Vermilion Cliffs that brought people to a site that petroglyphs could be viewed. The entire trail was about a mile in length. The section we were renovating was probably 170 feet. We created switch backs, and stone steps and erosion control walls. We used muscle and rock bars to move boulders from around the area and place them on the trail as needed. It was incredibly rewarding work because you were able to see the progress and progression each day. While completing this project the team had a base camp about 2 miles away at the state-line campground. We were happy to set up our "tent city" once again and hoped for less windy conditions that at 2 mile base camp the previous week. Chasing tents through the night is not as fun as it sounds! We didn't end up chasing tents, however we did end up searching for warmth. Towards the middle of the week we were faced with Sunshine, Sleet, Rain, Snow, and Hail. Sometimes all of those things in one day! The team continued to work to complete the trail despite the weather and would retreat to campfires and warm food each night. It was a struggle to stay dry and warm for multiple days of bad weather but our last day the sun came out SHINING and helped to perk of the team's spirits and dry our clothes. Below are some pictures of the trail we worked on and camp before and after the weather :) 

 We are all still smiling at the end of our 2nd week of work and looking forward to the next! We will be backpacking into the Paria canyon to remove an invasive species called Tamarisk. This project has been incredible so far and the Grand Canyon Trust have been amazing sponsors. What a great experience! Start looking forward to more updates from the next portion of our journey :) 

 

Walking towards Canyons..

My time in Oklahoma has come and gone. Never thought I would say this, but the last 2 months have been some of the most enjoyable within the past couple years. I'm reminded everyday how perfect this lifestyle is for me. It fulfills me each day, and the laughter overcomes the struggles each and everyday. I once again have been blessed with working with incredible people. People who I have been told to lead and who in turn have taught me so many things. I have grown through this experience. It has shown me my strengths and confirmed my weaknesses. I now get to move on to far bigger and not better but new things. I will be traveling to Arizona to camp and backpack in the Paria Canyon working for the Grand Canyon Trust. I can't tell you how happy I'm to once again return to a life of simplicity. My Tent, my backpack, my journal, and my hammock. This experience will be lived with a new team of people. I will get to once again build a team, a task that I'm incredibly happy to take on. Seeing a group of strangers come together as a whole is an amazing thing to witness and have a hand in creating. This whole AmeriCorps chapter has really opened my eyes to what makes me happy. I love creating and living in community. If I can find someway to continue to do that for an extended period of time I will be completely content.