We took a family vacation for 10 days in February. What a great time! We primarily stayed in Vegas, but we traveled all over. And yes, it was very active!
I did 2 runs on the Strip with my husband. Then we took the boys hiking in Death Valley and Zion National Park. Then we hit the Grand Canyon. The day we arrived we took a short hike in to the Canyon to show the boys what it was like and check out the trail conditions. They decided that they wanted to run with us the next day. Last year, Bill and I ran the whole thing. This year we didn't train for that, so we just planned a shorter hike.
Other than ice on the first half mile of the trail, conditions were great! Everyone kept up a good pace. The temp starting at the South rim was 27 degrees, and the hottest spot on the floor of the canyon was 80. Much more reasonable that the 100 degrees in the shade last year when we ran.
In total I estimate we covered a little over 19 miles and over 3000 feet of elevation change. Actually time running for me was a bit under 5 hours. We were out for longer, but we took some breaks to enjoy it. I ran at least 80% of it. I walked in the spots were there was deep sand, and in the last 4 miles of climbing I did a bit of run/walk intervals. It was excellent training for Mount Washington. Here are some pics:
I did 2 runs on the Strip with my husband. Then we took the boys hiking in Death Valley and Zion National Park. Then we hit the Grand Canyon. The day we arrived we took a short hike in to the Canyon to show the boys what it was like and check out the trail conditions. They decided that they wanted to run with us the next day. Last year, Bill and I ran the whole thing. This year we didn't train for that, so we just planned a shorter hike.
Other than ice on the first half mile of the trail, conditions were great! Everyone kept up a good pace. The temp starting at the South rim was 27 degrees, and the hottest spot on the floor of the canyon was 80. Much more reasonable that the 100 degrees in the shade last year when we ran.
In total I estimate we covered a little over 19 miles and over 3000 feet of elevation change. Actually time running for me was a bit under 5 hours. We were out for longer, but we took some breaks to enjoy it. I ran at least 80% of it. I walked in the spots were there was deep sand, and in the last 4 miles of climbing I did a bit of run/walk intervals. It was excellent training for Mount Washington. Here are some pics:
Here is the 4 of us at Bright Angel Campground on the floor of the Canyon
Having fun in Zion
Rest house near the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon
Death Valley--I loved it there!
I can be calm, if I try.