Re: RC: Nicholson's Grand Canyon North Rim Ride

[DVeritas@aol.com]

Dave provided plenty of water at basecamps, along the trail (he would 
pre-position barrels at key points), and the coordination between his team 
was marvelous.
    Saturday's trail was a climb up to the Kaibab Plateau from a basin 
outside Fredonia, Arizona.  The climb was short but very steep.  I left a 
lung along the trail someplace...oh well.
    The trail was then gentle grades, up and down through bright golden 
aspens, rusty wild oak, locust and pine.  
    The footing was everything from perfect to rocky...your manner of going 
dictated just what impact it would have on your horse.
    I had no crew.  But my crew bag (Lovell of Mack) awaited me at each VC 
without fail...then, was awaiting me upon my return to basecamp.
    Lunch was provided every day by LaVonne Booth (Tuna salad, turkey and ham 
sandwich, BBQ beef sandwich, tomatoes, candy bars, Raspberry Kool-aid, hot 
dogs) so all a rider had to do was show up, take care of your horse and 
LaVonne would take care of you.
    The Vet checks were run well (Barney Fleming).
    I believe somewhere around 72 riders started on Saturday and the weekend 
saw some riders ride one horse all three days, and some ride a couple 
different horses.
I believe around 30 horses did all three days.
    Annie Nicholson provided dinner each night (eight bucks)...LaSagna, BBQ 
Poultry and BAKED HAMS with all kinds of veggies.  (Dave even made one dutch 
oven of blueberry cobbler).
    I plan on attending next year.
    I still don't believe the Grand Canyon is real.
    The trail goes out on many points to within a few feet of the edge along 
Rainbow Rim and, for me, it was difficult to believe it was real.  Massive.  
Forboding.  Eternal.
Saw a flock of wild turkeys checking out Cherie Briscoe and her 
stallion...interesting.
    Dave had a flatbed trailer hauled to three different basecamps with two 
portapotties, one back seat from an old Buick and two SHOWERS WITH HOT 
WATER!!!
    What a guy.
    This ride was a class act, the trail was well marked with concisely 
prepared maps and narrative with accurate distances.
    It was frigid two nights, just "cold" one and the days were spectacularly 
mild with the purest air I may have ever breathed.
    A roaring fire capped each night, around which many sat and stared while 
what remained of the day slipped into a frosty chill in search of heavy 
flannel.
    In closing, as is usually the case, the trail could be as hard or as easy 
as the rider chose to make it.

Frank Solano.


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