camping

When we finished our hike, we all went back to our camping site and discovered that Jacob was almost right next to us! It was very funny, and, I would learn later, kismet. As seemed appropriate, Jacob joined us for dinner and games that evening, and agreed to join us for part of our hike on the following day. We would be using the Bright Angel Trail to head down to Phantom Ranch, where we had reservations for one night.

Wouldn’t you know it, but half a mile down the slightly more strenuous trail the following day, I twisted my ankle. I knew it would probably be fine by the next morning, but there was no way I would be able to make the rest of the hike. We had a dilemma. The rest of the family was willing to stay with me and help me back to our campground, but I could tell that they really wanted to see the bottom of the canyon. And then here came Jacob to the rescue.

Since he wouldn’t be going all the way to the bottom anyway, he offered to help me back to the rim and back to our campground. I gratefully accepted his generosity and my family bid me farewell as they continued their descent. I longingly watched as they disappeared from view, wanting so much to join them. But there was nothing I could do except heal and hope to be able to enjoy the rest of the trip when they all got back.