Grand Canyon XP

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

Just wanted to say that the Grand Canyon XP lived up to all my expectations 
and then some!  What a fantastic ride.  The Duck definitely knows how to run 
an endurance ride.  The trails were well marked which is always a concern for 
me since I am navigationally impaired (PC term for can't find my way out of a 
paper bag).  Each day's ride started promptly at 7:30, temps were pretty 
chilly but quickly warmed up to somewhere in the 60's with crystal blue skies 
and Fall colors.  The second morning we rode through frosty meadows that 
looked like they'd been sprinkled with diamonds -- incredibly beautiful.  The 
aspen trees were almost finished putting on their show, but we got to see 
some of the spectacular fall colors.  There were even patches of snow on the 
ground that Harca had to snort at as we trotted along.  On the third day we 
got to ride the Rainbow Rim trail along the edge of the Grand Canyon.  This 
was the first time I've ever seen the GC and what a way to see it -- with my 
buddy Harca -- I'll never forget it.  We finished all 3 days in good shape 
and got a very cool polar fleece vest that will have Harca's name embroidered 
on it.  Barney & Linda Fleming did an incredible job vetting and helping out 
riders.  If you've never done a multi-day ride, I would highly recommend one 
of the Duck's XP rides. 

I want to thank the Jackson family, especially Dean Jackson, for saving my 
butt Monday night!!!  I had a flat tire in the dark on the 20 mile dirt road 
out of camp.  They helped me change it and Dean drove slowly into town with 
me to make sure I was ok -- that was definitely above and beyond the call -- 
THANK YOU :))  I ended up  waiting till the next day (Tuesday) to finish the 
13 hour drive home.  That flat kind of spooked me!

My thoughts and prayers are with Kat for a good recovery.

Now, off to unpack/reload and wash the rig (blech).

Sylvia & Harca (Who cares about the views?  The grass was delicious on that 
trail!)