I would like to start off tonight by assuring everyone that Ken is feeling 200% better today! He had a rough day yesterday, but was feeling much better by about 6pm last night. He ate a good dinner, got a bunch of sleep and was feeling great today.
The crew woke up around 7 this morning, and had breakfast at Juwan's. After eating, Juwan drove the team to mile marker 376 where they had left off two days ago. Juwan began the day with the guys, running a NationRun official 5.2 miles! Ken said that the view was incredible all day, especially the first 5.2 this morning with Juwan. They continued the recent trend of hilly terrain, but Ken said that the view was awesome from the top of these mesas. Juwan stopped for the day in the village where he grew up, but the guys kept on moving. They would be coming back there to spend the night later, but had some mileage to get done before they called it quits for the day.
With about 19 miles left, the team rolled into Hotevilla, AZ. This is where the NationRun team would gain another member. The guys named him Owen, but called him "Big O" after the McDonald's Dollar Menu commercial. The guys really liked this commercial, and decided that their new companion would have the name of one of the characters in the commercial. Not knowing what the dog might do, the guys attempted to tell the dog to return to its home, but it was persistent and would not leave their side. The guys found a frisbee on the side of the road, and filled it with water for Big O whenever they stopped for a drink. They also gave him part of their sandwiches when they ate, and a little Gatorade. Ken thought that the Gatorade was a must, because Big O needed to replenish his electrolytes too! Big O was definitely a team player during the travel. If someone stopped for any reason, Big O would hurry to the person's side, check if everything was alright, and then return to the front of the caravan to keep moving forward! By the end of the day, Big O began to tire, but that did not stop him from finishing out the day with the guys. Owen ran an official NationRun 19 miles! That puts him ahead of Papa D! The guys said that Owen really raised their spirits today, and they were glad to have him around.
They finished the day at 27 miles, leaving 27 miles for tomorrow's travel to Tuba City. Juwan and Elaine picked the guys up at around 3:30, loaded up their gear and Owen, and headed back to Juwan's village. They stopped in Hotevilla to let Owen back out, and Ken said his goodbyes. Ken was very attached to the dog, and was very sad to see him go. He wanted to go the distance with Owen, and then bring him back home!
On the way home, the crew stopped in Blue Canyon. It was filled with amazing rock formations. This is the place where Elaine grew up. Elaine is a member of the Navajo tribe and Juwan a member of the Hopi tribe. In 1896, a treaty was signed that let the Navajo move on to and live on the Hopi land. In 1996, this 100 year treaty expired, and the Navajo people asked to leave the Hopi land. The guys drove down into the canyon and saw where Elaine's grandmother had gone to school when she was a young girl. They also moved a fence and went right up to the edge of the canyon for a spectacular view. They took lots of pictures, and as soon as they can upload them, you will be able to see them!
The crew then went back to Juwan's village where they would spend the night. Old Oraibi is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the United States. It was settled sometime in the 1150s and has had people there ever since! The town has limited electricity and water, but does have Alltel Wireless service, and that's how I talked to Ken! They went to a local store to get a late lunch/dinner. They all got 12 inch subs at Kyaotsmovi Kiikotsmori Huuyanki (sorry if I butchered the spelling of the store!). Ken was amazed by the length of the name of the store, but was so happy because the sub was excellent!
Tomorrow the guys will run to Tuba City, AZ. There is a Special Olympics relay currently happening that will also end in Tuba City tomorrow. The guys and the relay will be arriving in the city on the same road. The team was told that if the relay catches them (they have a 30 mile head start) they would be able to participate in the relay and carry the official torch! They are very excited about the chance to participate, and are making arrangements so that they can meet up with the relay before it reaches Tuba City! Ken also told me that they have been told Verizon service will return once they arrive in Tuba City. So if you are trying to contact the team, tomorrow might be your best shot!
4 Days to the Grand Canyon!
- Rick
No comments:
Post a Comment