Suapai, AZ

What an incredible trip!

We started off on Tuesday south toward Arizona. I got to Jeff's house about 30 min late because of a wreck on I-15. Anyhow, it was ok because we set off and things were great.

Jeff and I chatted, things were good and we looked forward to a great trip. Being that I did not get much sleep the night before, I crashed just after Vegas. I was awake long enough to cross the Hoover Dam (no, we didn't take a dam tour, any dam pictures or ask any dam questions...).

We got to Havasupi Hilltop around 5 p.m., threw our bags on our backs and started down the eight mile trail. The first mile consists of one mile of downhill switchbacks, and I mean downhill. On the way we met these guys who said we were going to have another 2.5 hrs ahead of us. We thought we were really in for it.

We cruised along at about 5 mph and at 7:30 p.m. MST it was too dark to continue walking. Crazy me forgot her head lamp and so Jeff was the only one with light, with the exception of my cell phone. We pitched camp, Jeff built a fire (which was a no-no) and we lit the stove to make dinner.

The next morning we got up and started walking, thinking there was a long ways ahead of us. We encountered the supply train on the way in and Jeff went chasing after the guy and his mules for about 0.5 miles. Somehow, we thought that it might be the only time we saw the train. Little did we know that we would see another six trains that same day, and each day Monday through Friday.

Anyhow, it took us 30 minutes to get in to town. The guys we encountered were off their rockers. We finished the 8 mile journey in 2.5 hours (which we were told was pretty dang fast).

As we walked in to town, it was beautiful. Supai sits in the bottom of the Grand Canyon and it is such a contrast. Walking further in to the city, we saw a church and realized it was an LDS church. There was a missionary couple sitting on the front porch who waved at us. Jeff and I looked at each other and decided we would go say hello.

It was that salutaion that made the difference in our whole trip. Amazing how the Lord blessed us and opened doors for us. Elder and Sister Jasper introduced us to a sister, who then introduced us to many other people.

Keep in mind this tribe is super media shy. We were bitting our fingernails thinking we would have to come back to SLC with our tails between our legs. However, because of the Lord's blessings we have great photos and a great story (I just have to write it now).

Carol Rogers was our poc. She was shy at first, but wonderful at introducing us to everyone. What a sweet spirit.

As we were talking with the missionaries, they informed us of many events going on that day. It provided many great opportunities for photos. We took some portraits, a school parade and encountered many other great people.

Jeff and I went in to town and never made it to the camp ground to drop our stuff off. In the end, we left our packs at the church because we would be going back that way later in the day.

In town, we chilled for roughly two hours on a bench in front of the cafe. It was great to sit and observe people, how they interacted and the strange tourists that found their way to Supai. We also got hailed on, which was interesting to see how quickly the weather can change.

There was this one couple. They had to be European. The guy was wearing these hot pink and navy blue short shorts (which he shouldn't have been wearing), and the girl was in white 3/4 pants and shoes. This place is full of dirt, red clayey dirt. Holy cow... It just amazes me how people dress for certain occassions.

Then there was Fonsi. He stood in front of the grocery store, hat on crooked, headphones on and he was talking to himself and the dog in front of him. Jeff and I came to the conclusion that he was not mentally well. It was interesting to watch him yell at the dog and walk around nervously.

Jeff and I left town a little later than planned and hiked to the campground in the dark. Pitching camp I was so tired. My feet were tired from walking all day and my back was feeling the weight of my over-packed backpack.

The next morning we got up and hiked to the falls. We got to two of the four (Havasu and Mooney Falls). We tried to get to Beaver Falls, but we could not find it. Navajo Falls got passed up as we were hiking out because we were leaving later than planned.

The falls are gorgeous. However, I came to the determination that the best time to shoot them is during the afternoon/evening because you get more light.

The hike out was the killer. It took us 3.5 hrs to get out and during the last 1.5 miles I had to keep telling myself to put one foot in front of the other. My back was dying as I struggled up the hill. My knee and ankle were also giving me grief...

The trip was great and you will have to read the story when it comes out. I am not sure I will be able to do the tribe justice, but I am going to certainly try. When I get a chance, I will also throw some photos on here as well...