About Time

So its been two years since last writing. Since I'm supposed to clean house, I'll do anything to get out of it, even write. Have been trying to get started again with story telling. In honor of Walter Pew's passing, and cleaning duties, I will render for your appreciation " Grand Canyon Trip Ala' Le Pew.
Somehow Walter had spurred my father into trying a hiking trip down to bottom of Grand Canyon and back next day. Some explaining here bear with me. Walter was and is my non-blood uncle. He and Dad were in the LDS Church's mission field as companions. There are several stories that go with that, but until the public demands or there is another cleaning day. They shall remain untold. The point is because these missions require being together for two years they form a relationship that will last throughout their lives. My father's and Walter's did. Walter was fun and mischievous just like Dad.
Dad had been in WWII as a Dog Solider in the Pacific. Hence walking anywhere or carrying something while you walked was definitely "not in the cards." So when my father informed us (Patrick my Brother) and myself we were going we were thrilled and excited to go.
Always a monkey wrench gets thrown in the works when you live in a Large Family. 6 Kids and two adults being large. Your little brother(Dirk) has to go too, because he is excellent whiner and your father has this great heart for his children.
Now of course Dad is dependent on Walter because 1) Being that he does not hike or have any desire for outdoor activities he does not know Grand Canyon. 2)Walter has done this before and so has his son Mark who will go with us. So my father will put himself into "The Hands Of God" and Walter. This is not the first time, so Dad should have asked more questions. But he wants Walter to not think he is questioning him!!
So the Day and the players set for you, strategy comes next. Walter informs Perry(Dad) that they must take food as there is none at canyon bottom. Dad does not like idea of packs but accepts when Walter assures him that all will be packed and purchased by him. Mark who is full on Boy Scout and outdoors man because Walter is will carry his food and sleeping bag. So that leaves the Doyle boys small packs for sleeping bags and water canteens.
Details: Bright angel trailhead elevation is 6860Ft, campground 2480Ft, trail is 9.6Miles. Average time is 4 to 6 hours. You do the math!! Dirk is 7 years old, Patrick is 9 and I am 10. Mark Pew is 12 years old.
The downward grade of this trail is the challenge even if you do not have 40 pound pack on. Oh yes!! Dad upon getting pack the first time and I remember said" What the Hell is this Walter." Walter was great at convincing Dad even though he knew better. During the descent, we encountered mule trains that we would stand quietly on the outside of trail for. Once I was caught on the inside and stood on a rock to have place to make clear the trail. The rock moved while mule train was passing spooking mule to very edge of trail with rocks falling over edge of switchback. Middle aged woman riding mule was very pale after this maneuver and Mule Packer gave us the "Evil Eye." Dad retold this story with slight variation of that" She turned Pea-green."We reached the Colorado River 7 hours later and Dad took off his boots to wash and cool down his feet. Discovered several blisters from walking. We made camp somewhere east of Phantom Ranch right next to trail as we were too tired to make campground and anyway Walter said it was OK!!! Dad retold this story and at this point he would say that he asked God to just have the canyon fall in on him!
Morning arrives with the Hope of a new and better day. Walter goes to work hurriedly trying to appease my father plus feed the hungry mob of boys. That breakfast was just plain heaven to me, hot eggs and bacon and biscuits, Manfood. While we dined a man came down the trail. Dad engaged him as he did with many strangers all thru his life(Western Friendly). The man turns out to be Australian, this of course interests Dad. He served with Australians during the War.
They converse and Dad asks him to breakfast as there is plenty!! And, where he is going? The man responds that he is going to Phantom Ranch to have steak and eggs and he will be fine.
My Father strained to contain his temper in all situations. Some he lost and other times his emotions took over. Fortunately for Walter he contained himself but the air had electrified my hair to stand up. Dad's over exaggerated question to Walter was "Why did we haul this stuff down here when we could have eaten at the ranch?" Walter answer was " well I thought you rather have it out here." Again the electricity that could power city lights was felt in the air. Silence fell as Walter again hurried to load packs and we bid farewell to our visitor.
Strategy: Its 9.6 miles out on Bright Angel Trail. South Kaibab trail 7.0 Miles, lets go up the Kaibab and cut off 2 miles. Brilliant , except that last mile of trail is extreme switchbacks and largest grade of either trail. Walter knew this, for later reference.
The trek begins as usual with the hope of getting out alive. Halfway up we find someone filling canteen from water pipe. That now familiar look from Dad toward Walter that resembles the Archer and his prey. We still have to take everything out like good scouts. Further on the trail mule team going back up trail had empty mules. Dad called out to Mule packer" Hey how much to put boy on mule? Thirty Five Dollars mister" he replied. At this my 7 year old whiner brother said the immortal words," 35 dollars, I will walk instead of pay that. At which my Dad was pleased, proud and worried all at once. All you parents know what I mean. We got closer to top I'm not sure how close. We rested in a wide section of the trail. Dad broke out some peaches in cans. They were fantastic, I laid back and went to sleep. "Saddle up" came the call a few minutes later as we assaulted the summit. As we proceeded the packs we boys had somehow ended up in a configuration of necessity on my father. Dirk had hit the wall, no sight of the top. Dad offers to buy all the soda pop that you want. "ALL I Want" was the question Dirk raised to Dad. "All you want" he smiled with the reply. For Patrick and Danny too!! We had made it the very top of the canyon. We waited for the rest as we had no packs and preceded them by running the last part being inspired by the thought of "All We Want"soda pop.
There are pictures with Dad in full pack after the hike. They say ten thousand words. Caption for picture by Mom is "Look at that Pack!!"
This story was retold countless times to Dad and Moms friends and provided much entertainment for all. As my brother Brad said best" I sure do miss going on a Walter Pew adventure!!"

StoryTeller

Today I did it, I started to Blog. I see alot of women blogging but few men. I'm sure their are plenty but I think more women write these(My Opinion).

Story for today is about women were the ones who wrote journals of travel. While they crossed America's plains for the western lands. Sometimes full of the hope and pictures of the land they were struggling to get to. Other times barely a few words marked the death of a family member or one traveling along side. Fewer words as things got harder these magnificent travelers of dreams. That lived in the very real world of stark survival. Bury their Husband at night and hitch the team in the morning. Their lives scratched on pices of paper to be read later. By people inside air-conditioned homes. Their courage unmeasurable and tensity unwavering is the human spirit that has conquered the earth and is moving into outer and inner space. I think about that time and think of my wife and daughters and the ones that came before and am thankful for the women in my life.