Pizza right out on the trail . . .

Ready . . . set . . . go

. . . the vultures descend.

. . . lunch on the veranda.

We had such a big lunch that Merrick proposed taking the group on a survival tour . . .

. . . into the abyss.

BillyB, our mbbt mountaineer, was the only one who followed Merrick down the long channel.

Once the water reached chest height and Merrick had to pull out BillyB after he went in over his head, they came out.

Back on the trail to Potato Bottom campground.

The river was a welcoming site on a hot day . . .

. . . but too cold for a bath. Dave takes a birdbath in the hand bath.

BillyB was our mountaineer and George and BillF were our trip scientists and meteorologists. George tuned into the weather each evening and morning to give us the update.

Chips and salsa at 5:30pm . . .

. . . as we watch Merrick add his ‘secret sauce’ to the pork tenderloins.

Ready to eat . . .

Mushroom salad with pine nuts . . .

Happy hour . . . it’s five o’clock somewhere!

As we face west we see our climb for the next day. Several riders pass through the slot as we sipped our vino and beer . . .

. . . we finally figure out the approach. It looked steep.

The call for dinner brought us out of the spell . . . couscous with raisins . . .

Dinner is served.

Seating for five. A little too spicy for BillyB.

A double decker dessert . . . in the desert.

Blueberry and strawberry rhubarb.

Gee . . . I wonder is anyone is interested in dessert?

. . .and maybe seconds, too.