R2R2R: The Annual Pilgrimage

It's my version of the pilgrimage to Mecca and I was lucky enough to be able to continue the annual ritual yesterday. Along the way I saw a California Condor up close, ran with deer and lizards, witnessed amazing spring desert flowers in bloom, knocked over cairns (again), floated over 35 miles of blissful single track like I was one with the canyon and then fell apart spectacularly on the last 7 miles, struggling just to move forward in 90+ degree heat competing with day hikers to see who could climb the 5,000 feet to the rim first. Through all the intense bliss and suffering of doing R2R2R it is still worth it every time and probably still the best trail I have done anywhere. Trip report coming soon...