Driving up to the Grand Canyon is strange. Strange because you can’t see it until you get right up to it! I guess because it goes down instead of up…? You could walk right by an inverted mountain if there are enough trees. But then, all of a sudden there is this:
I think the words I uttered were “Holy…..shit.”
I mean it’s a backdrop right?
The tyrants who were running this show only let us be here for 10 minutes before we had to get back on the bus. 10 MINUTES?! Not to worry. There is much more to come.
We got back to the bus which took us to our hotel just outside the Park’s entrance. We had about an hour to settle in before heading downstairs for the Inspiration Party/info session for what to expect the next day.
Everybody was given a grand reception, complete with hoisted hiking poles:
I sat again with my Illinois peeps:
And we were entertained with some good ol’ cowboy music
During the presentations meant to get us all pumped up for the hiking to be done the next day we learned:
- That the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training has just passed the 1 BILLION mark in dollars raised
- That all of us in that room had collectively raised nearly $800,000
They presented awards to people who had raised the most money (including Ron from our group!!! He raised the most out of anyone there that night). They also gave out “Triple Crown” pins to participants who’d raised money and were involved in their 3rd event. I realized that having done a marathon and now the hike I only need one more event to also be a “Triple Crown” athlete! Cycling here I come.
We heard from a cancer survivor about how money raised for LLS had contributed to the medicines he’d been able to take to treat his cancer. There were several cancer survivors on the hikes that weekend. It was amazing. There were hikers in-treatment, post-treatment, in remission and currently cancer diagnosed….all there to support the cause and hike the Grand Canyon. If that isn’t inspiration to start living your life now…then you aren’t paying enough attention.
After the presentations we had the opportunity to meet our trail guides and find out details about the next day’s hike. The only detail that stuck out in my mind was the one stating that I needed to be up, dressed, packed and ready for breakfast at 4:45am.
I headed up to bed, tummy all butterflies and tried, TRIED to go to sleep. I think I got about 4 hours.
Tomorrow…the hike!
love and inspiration,
Erin
