After a nice warm night, the team woke up early and broke down camp. Matt said that the past couple nights at the Grand Canyon had been real cold - cold enough to where he was wearing every layer of clothes he brought with him while laying in his 20 degree sleeping bag! The past couple nights, Los and Ken spent the night in one tent, while Andy and Matt slept in the other. They decided to switch it up, and Los would sleep with Matt. Everyone still got a good night's sleep, and was ready to roll in the morning.
The guys went to Fred's Diner to get some breakfast before leaving Bedrock. Matt said it was one of the better breakfasts in recent memory, serving the traditional eggs, bacon, toast, and hashbrowns. But just like yesterday, the price and quality of food was excellent! Fred's Diner even had a 5 cent coffee sign in the window. The guys thought it might be just one of those old fashioned signs for show - but they actually had 5 cent coffee! Matt and Ken each got a cup just to get one, and Ken ended up loading them both with sugar and taking them down. They then went across the street to get some drinks, and then took a group picture. The camera was propped on Los's trunk, so they could use the timer. Just after the pictures were taken, the wind blew Andy's camera off the trunk! It took a huge bounce, and at first it looked like he had lost all of his pictures. After some fiddling, the camera was okay, and all the pictures were still in tact. Not a great way to start the day!
The guys presented Los with a Utah license plate they had found and signed for him as a keepsake. They were sad to part ways, as they know this is the last time they will see him for some time. The friends said their goodbyes, and went their separate ways. About 5 miles in, the guys met up with some bikers who were completing a bike tour of Arizona. They talked for a while, and found that they really connected with each other. Both teams were traveling unsupported, and had a lot of similar experiences. The guys told them about Bedrock, and helped them with a few of the amenities. Matt said it was cool to meet up with people doing something so similar to what they had been doing for the past 3 months (the couple had been on the road 4 weeks).
While Los was there, he was calling attention to many of the different scenic attributes of the run. Andy noticed that he had not been paying much attention to the scenery and the different things around them. After hanging out with Los, Andy realized that he wanted to get back into what this run started out as - an adventure. Andy said that although it was a hilly day, he really enjoyed the sights. The clouds were awesome - looked so close, as if you could touch them. The last 10 miles were the best all day - running through another huge national forest with some great views.
They arrived in Williams, AZ at about 3 pm. They rushed the last 10 miles so that Matt could pick up some packages that he had been waiting for. The problem was that these packages are waiting for him in Ashfork, AZ. The guys won't be traveling through that town, after rerouting some of the trip to ensure they run through populated areas and avoid Interstates. Matt talked to many people in order to try and get his packages including a cab driver, and two postmasters. He finally got the postmaster to forward them to Prescott, AZ.
Williams is a typical RT. 66 town, with lots of tourist attractions and lots of hotels. They went up and down the strip to haggle some prices, only to land at the first one they stopped at! The town is known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" and is "nestled in the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine Trees in the world." They also had talked a lot about having an Arizona Iced Tea while in Arizona, and finally got their chance today. They all had a different flavor and enjoyed the drink. The guys are staying in a motel tonight to rest up after about a week of camping out. The night closed with food, the NBA playoffs, and some Family Guy.
Andy hopes to be able to use a computer soon and upload all the pictures! Keep checking in on their progress, and thanks for all the support!
Keep truckin!
- Rick
1 comment:
The drive back through brought back priceless memories only a few days old. The Grand Canyon and life at Bedrock were quite the venues of this run of yours.
Upon reading the blog today and being with you the past few days, it made me think of how many other people read the website and live through you guys. I beg of you all not to just vicariously live out the dream through them. Go out and run your own "nation". Andy, Matt, and Ken; you are an inspiration to many. Keep it up and don't kill yourselves. Enjoy the miles.
-Los
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