It was two, possibly three, years ago when my sister initially asked me to hike the Grand Canyon with her. Aside from the camping aspect of the journey (I require few things in this life - but indoor plumbing is usually a deal breaker) it seemed like one of the things I enjoy most... a challenge. As the years passed (acquiring permits and arranging schedules proved more complicated than we anticipated) it still felt very theoretical.

Until now.

I've learned quite a few things about the Canyon and about extreme hiking this year. One such nugget is that you should break in your hiking shoes for at least three months before embarking on the Rim to Rim. And I do my best work on deadlines. I've even been known to procrastinate a bit to heighten the stakes. But those stakes have never been life or death (maybe I've learned too much about the Canyon and about extreme hiking this year). So when I looked up and realized I'm two weeks late for the start of the 'break-in' process, I panicked a bit.

I mean, we're really doing this. In a couple of months. Backpacking 24 miles through multiple ecosystems and acute elevations, amid drastic temperature changes and weather conditions, while carrying around 35 pounds of equipment. One website had the nerve to say the choppers don't do rescue, just recovery.

So, yeah, it's getting real.

But I'm the gal who takes dare over truth, tries (almost) anything once and considers the word 'no' a hurled gauntlet. In other words, let's do this.

My days of consistent journaling are memories of a bygone era. And I'm a much more private person than I might appear to be on social media. But this seems like an ideal opportunity to defy my comfort zone, get back to the 'page' and share this journey. 

My entries will be neither 'just the facts' nor solely an exercise in verbal yoga. I'm striving for a hybrid:) While I'm certain I'll experience reflective moments as I confront my physical endurance, I'll also share the nuts and bolts of preparing for this adventure.

If you find it interesting, I hope you'll stay for the duration of the 'trip' (I could use the company). If nothing else, it's sure to be entertaining:) Here we go . . . !