Mina's Musings

We looked forward to this Thanksgiving weekend in Mammoth. There was just enough snow around the condo to introduce 20 month old Lee to it and watch his eager dad, pull him around in a red sled. Lois and Terri came up and Lois made the feast since I was a little under the weather. Fred and Phil ATV’ed while 8 month pregnant Abby and I stayed inside or toddled outside with Lee or Oreo. Three years ago I was in Denver Trauma Center with Fred and his broken pelvis courtesy of an ATV accident. This was a more gentle, tamer week. Lois and Terri left Friday. Saturday Fred and Phil planned a big ATV trip to Coyote Flats  (10,500 elevation), a lovely place in the summer where we have camped with an off-road church group before. They packed their lunches. Phil made an offhand suggestion that they should take an ax just in case they might need to chop wood, but Fred declined. Abby and I settled in to knit, read and snack. She was finishing the 3 rd book of the Hunger Games

We planned and packed. I searched the internet for the best route and timing for a Grand Canyon rim to rim hike. My husband was ready to take on the challenge. Jonalyn also came with her friend Halee. The four of us hiked out the first day, a steep descent to Cottonwood Camp. 6.8 miles hike with an elevation change of 4161 feet  Fred took the lead as he set his pace and us 3 women took some time getting into the groove of our hike. One of the things I anticipated was our conversation together;                                           it opened fluidly as did the vivid scenery before us. About ½ way down I began to feel twinges in my left knee. Not good. Jonalyn and Halee slowed down for me and Jonalyn found me a perfect walking stick to steady myself. Without it I don’t think I could have made it to the camp. It even had a fairy tale handle. Happily when we got to Cottonwood, Fred had already scoped out and claimed a campsite nea