Flat Iron Jim!

Flat Iron has become a staple in our Grand Canyon training.  Lily and I love that hike and it was so much fun to take Kyla and Bridgit for our last big hike before the Canyon.  It was especially awesome because we met the illusive FLAT IRON JIM!

Jim here is an absolute legend in our community.  He has been hiking the Flat IRON for the bulk of his life and now in his later years he STILL makes it to the top.  Flat IRON Jim is 93 and still trucking up the climb like he is 92.  Its impressive and it was a total treat to just happen to be on the mountain when he was making his climb.  Some people have looked for him for years!  IT was awesome!

Flat Iron is no joke and it is a doozy of a climb and a descent.  The girls are absolute monsters (I mean, look at their mothers) and did it like true champs.

The view and the feeling never disappoint.

These girls are ready to take on the canyon!  Lets go and see the Colorado!

 

Fossil Creek

Lily's adventure to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon has been filled with some incredible hikes.  Bridgit and Kyla invited us to tackle the Fossil Creek hike, a 9 mile round trip hike stopping at the beautiful Fossil Creek Falls.  IT WAS SPECTACULAR!

We started at the top of the rim and ventured down to the valley.  The weather was beautiful and the descent a perfect prep for the Grand Canyon.

As we neared the falls we walked over this river bed with crystal clear water.  Lily is SO FUN to adventure with because she loves to explore and finds such joy in each moment.

We heard the falls long before we saw them and when we arrived. WOW were they beautiful!  You never would know that this is all found right here in beautiful AZ.

We got down to the bottom to find a cave over the river.  Everyone encouraged us to swim into it.....so that is just what we did......and WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.

You swim into this black cave and once you are in it the water is crystal blue and the inside is illuminated and beautiful!

We swam and jumped in enjoying every moment.  We truly did not want to leave!

This place was amazing and Lily and I cannot wait to get back to it!

 

Camelback Mountain

The girls have been asking me to do this hike for a long time and this year we made it happen.  Such a beautiful day and such a spectacular experience with these two!

Both of these girls are incredibly resilient and it is so much fun watching them do hard things.

TOP OF THE WORLD!

And seriously, who doesn't slide down the mountain banisters??