Song inspiration of the day:  Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)

Rise up this morning,
Smile with the rising sun,
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Singin’, ‘This is my message to you.’
Singin’ don’t worry
About a thing
’Cos ev’ry little thing
‘Sgonna be alright.

Nearly a week since we first hiked the Calico Tanks trail, memory has faded, four completely different hikes and terrains completed, yet questions lingered ’bout The Family lifestyle choices.  Sloth needed to know for sure if The Family has gone moth to the flame with all these thrill seeking hikes? Round two at the Calico would provide the answers.

Let’s highlight each hiking  terrain (lifestyle choices) covered while West.  First, the Grand Canyon, with a staircase to the valley of death and nothing to prevent you from falling over a cliff.  Next, the Calico Tanks Trail in Red Rock Canyon, with a rocky path that transforms into giant boulders with tiny footholds, and numerous ops to drop off the ledge.  Third, the North Loop Trail along a wooded path in the forest near Mount Charleston at an elevation just under 10,000 ft and who can breathe?  Fourth, the Ice box Canyon, along a riverbed, otherwise known as a rock slide, no scary cliffs, but giant boulders to navigate.

Yes, Calico Tanks Trail was just as difficult the second time around.  The boulders are crazy to navigate on foot when the foothold is approximately 1/3 of the width of your shoe, you have no tether, and if your foot slipped off of that foothold because there is sand in the rock and sand makes all footholds slippery, a very long drop off a cliff is waiting.  Fortunately, the foothold gods smiled on all of us, and we made it to the summit unscathed.  The Trail and Summit scenery was more beautiful the second time around, as the way the sun hits the mountains at different times of day, highlighting different colorations in the rocks,the views can be completely different from one hike to the next. 

So, yes, Sloth has determined on this fact finding hike/lifestyle choice mission, that The Family gets their kicks on thrill seeking hikes.  And, for the record, Sloth totally gets  their choices — as the rewards, the views, the challenges of pushing your body a little bit further than it wants to go, not sure of your footing, but letting hope be your guide, reaching further than you thought you could, and discovering you can, is what makes life come alive!  Bravo, Family!!

Photo Journal: Calico Tanks Trail in Red Rock Canyon

Thanks for traveling with us, and taking a hiking diversion, but now it’s time to get back onto Route 66.  Road travels return tomorrow – stay tuned for more historic route 66!

Peace, luv, out
Jane -n- Jill