Day 94

Today the team left the Grand Canyon after an awesome 2 days of relaxing and exploring. Los said the guys got up at 7, broke down camp, and were on the road shortly after 8. Matt, Ken, and Andy cut through some of the woods to get to Highway 64, in order to cut off some unneeded mileage. Los went over to the cafe to grab some breakfast. He got another enormous cinnamon roll, and got one for Andy as well. After eating, Los took the food for Andy on the plate (the only thing big enough to carry it) and got in his car. He noticed he was real low on gas and was forced to stop at the first place he came to. He had to pay 4.09 a gallon! He confessed that he did not totally fill up, hoping he would find something cheaper down the road. He also took a lot of pictures and some incredible video footage of the canyon before he left. Andy said it looks like he was right on the ledge, and really captured the essence of the incredible landform.

He drove up and met the guys about 3 miles in. Andy was pumped because Los hand delivered the cinnamon roll to him on the road! Los drove up a little further and ran back 2 miles. He ran the 2 miles back to his car and then got back in and drove to the campsite they would be staying at. The campsite was amazing. It was something right out of their childhood. It was Bedrock! The town of Valle, AZ had been completely modeled to mirror the Fintstones hometown! He was so excited to tell the guys, because he knew they would absolutely love it.

He drove back another 10 miles toward where the trio would be coming from, and ran another 4 miles back to them. When he met up with them he told them that he found the campsite. He also told them, "It might trump the Grand Canyon!" He refused to tell them anymore in order to build the hype and excitement for their arrival. Los ran the next 4 miles or so back to his car, ending his NationRun cameo mileage at 30 miles! This puts Los into FIRST PLACE in front of Kaitlyn, John and Reynold! It has taken 83 days for someone to outrun the two. Ken has this message for you guys, "John and Reynold - you guys aren't in first anymore - DO SOMETHIN' ABOUT IT!" They really are egging you on to see if they can lure you two out west!

The guys felt great today. The two days off, the visit from a best friend, and the good times renewed their spirit and energy. They moved at a blistering 5.8 miles per hour - the fastest they have moved in weeks. Andy said it took them 3 days to get to the Grand Canyon, and 5 hours to move 28 miles away from it! Nothing too exciting for the running portion - just a mention of a dead wolf on the side of the road. They have been able to see Mount Humphrey in the horizon for some time now, with Flagstaff, AZ right at the base of it. Andy said it seems like they have been doing everything they can to go around it. It will forever remain a mystery as the team continues to move west to reach their goal. They also ran past a road radar detector that displays speed for oncoming traffic. Ken got it up to 12 miles per hour! Andy also said that because of the 2 days off, the numerous days of walking before that because each member of the team had been sick, his legs were pretty tight from all the running they did today. It was a good feeling, reassuring him he was back to good health.

Finally, the time had arrived for the guys to wander into the campground. They took one look, and agreed that this stop did indeed trump the Grand Canyon! They were welcomed by a 30 foot cut out of Fred Flintstone and a sign that welcomed them to Yabba-Dabba-Doo Campground! Like I said before, everything here resembles the town of Bedrock. It is complete with the bowling alley, buffalo lodge, and Fred's Diner where the team had lunch. Each had a Turkey Bacon Club Sandwich with a Hamburger as an appetizer and a Mountain Dew. Los said that the food was really good and surprisingly cheap for what you got as a meal. The appetizer selection took Los aback for a minute, because he did not expect them to choose such an item. However, once he tried it, it loved his choice! Fred's Diner was covered in Flintstones memorabilia on every wall. There was no real reference to the Grand Canyon, just to Fred, Wilma, Bam-Bam, Dino and the rest of the cartoon crew. They even took a $4 tour of the town after lunch! They decided to make a MTV Cribs type video while on the tour, which Los and Andy said was hilarious! The pictures of Bedrock will hopefully be up soon for all to see!

They headed back to the campsite, and thats when the wind picked up. I could barely hear Andy outside the Grand Canyon Inn, where they were having dinner. Andy closed our conversation really thankful for Los' vacation with the team. Los is one of their best and closest friends, and they had not seen him in a long time before now. Andy said his presence really got all of their sprits up, and helped them to get back to good health. The guys were not having as much fun as they were in the beginning because they had to push through all of the sickness. It really brought them down. But Los was there to pick them back up, and get the team refocused on their dream. Within minutes of being around the team, he had them laughing, smiling, and picking on each other as they have been their whole lives. The guys even got back to their old tricks, placing a bumper sticker on Los' already filled bumper that said "It's Gettin' Hot in Here! - Grand Canyon!" Los drove around all week Grand Canyon National Park looking like the ultimate tourist with that bumper sticker on his car! He eventually found it, and they all got a good laugh. Los unfortunately heads back to Utah tomorrow, but his presence will be felt the remainder of the voyage.

Thanks for checking in, and keep the support coming as their dream becomes reality! Keep on truckin!

- Rick