Coffee Talk Tuesday #93

It’s a hot one today in Chestertown! Let’s grab a cup (make it iced for me!) and have a chat.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that I’m still on a high from our visit to the Grand Canyon last week. I’m so glad that we decided to make this our big summer trip.

We started our Grand Canyon trip in Vegas (you can read more about the first part of our trip here) and then we made our way toward the North Rim. We decided to visit the North Rim for two main reasons: 1) less traffic/people. We read that the North Rim does not get as many visitors as the South Rim. 2) Better options for self-guided hiking (vs. trips/treks with groups). Things we didn’t realize or didn’t register: 1) there would be lots of trees and a more ‘wild’ view of the canyon 2) it SNOWS on the North Rim October-May, so the North Rim is only open half the year 3) the North Rim is ~2,000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim. Very cool!

We began our Grand Canyon adventure by staying at Jacob Lake Inn, about an hour north of our next destination. They have lots of rooms and cabins (older but comfortable) and a great little restaurant where we had some delicious dinner and breakfast the next day and the best customer service. We relaxed here, and then prepped for an early morning departure to get to our next destination, the Grand Canyon Lodge.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you I was in complete awe when I got my first glimpse of the Canyon. Complete awe. I’ve never seen something so magnificent! We stopped at the first lookout opportunity and just stood in silence, soaking in the view. After we got to the lodge, we stopped at the Visitor Center to ask which hike we should do that day. A ranger pointed us in the direction of Cape Final – which offered the best panoramic views and the only views of the Colorado River from the North Rim. It was a 4-mile hike, and we loved every view! With the high altitude (8,000 feet) and dry heat, the hike certainly took my breath away.

On our last morning, I asked husband to join me for a sunrise view of the Canyon. Wow – just wow. My goal of seeing a many awesome sunrises as possible got a little richer that morning. After a sunrise viewing, I grabbed some coffee from the Saloon and enjoyed watching the morning light play off the canyons from the stone porch of the lodge. I’m so glad we came here.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that I’m enjoying this ‘holiday’ week. I’m only teaching three classes this week (a vacation for a fitness instructor, ha!) and plan to attend at least 4 different classes. I’m also making more headway toward my barre certification this week.

I am still working the MBRT job – we work from home in the summer. I have a big event I’m helping coordinate next week at Bowie State University. I like being able to work from home, but I also like mixing it up and working from coffee shops. I got so much done on Monday at a coffee shop!

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that I attended another BBG meet-up in Baltimore. And…a BBG friend and I are going to TAKE OVER the meet-ups! I’m excited to take the lead on this fun project with an amazing partner in crime. We’re going to have so much fun planning the next one. Live near Baltimore? You should join us!

Back to it – I hope you have a fabulous holiday week.