During the night, we had a horrible wind storm.  I was afraid my tent would be blown away with me in it.  This morning there is debris everywhere.  It reminded me of the way the wind can be in western Oklahoma.  We recover all our stuff that has been strewn about, have breakfast, pack our gear, and begin the hike out.  My toes are doing about as well as could be expected under the circumstances.  I am glad to be able to walk at all.  We reach the 3 mile rest house before 9.

     Although the map shows the elevation change and distance to be the same, the next section from the 3 mile rest house to the 1.5 mile rest house seems harder.  Maybe it is because we are all a little tired, but the step-ups definitely appear larger.  I have already eaten the last of my snack food before reaching the 1.5 mile rest house.  I sure wish I had a little something to munch on.  After a bathroom and water break there, we begin the home stretch to the rim.  Tom is clearly fatigued and is lagging behind.  We reach the rim just after noon.  I am meeting someone at Northern Arizona University this afternoon, so I hurry back to my car and start that way.  Art and Tom head for Tucson.

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