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| SUNRAYS FEBRUARY 2015
ONLINE:
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Editor’s Note:
In the fall of 2014, Jeanne
and Darrel Lubey took off on a month-
long tour of the western United States,
visiting several national parks, including
Grand Canyon National Park. The Sun
City couple had previously visited the
canyon several times, and Jeanne was
interested in participating in a two-day
mule ride to the bottom of the canyon.
“I thought it was just fascinating,”
she said, though it would take Jeanne
several years before Darrel would share
her zeal for the mule ride. Eventually,
Darrel relented, and the couple prepared
for their adventure by exercising at the
Fitness Center.
The mule ride journey is a downward trek
to the bottom of the canyon but, because
of the terrain, the couple was surprised
by the number of uphill climbs required
to reaching their destination. Jeanne is
proud of her achievement. “This was an
accomplishment,” she said. “Almost as
much so as getting my master’s degree!”
September 19, 2014
What an exhausting day, an experience
as vast and as grand as this canyon itself.
We have yet to climb our way out of this
giant hole and I have no idea howwe can
manage it, with or without amule. Darrel
is in worse shape than I. How do hikers
do it?
We got up early in the morning, bushy-
tailed and ready to meet at the mule
corral. We were explained the dos and
don’ts of the trip and offered every
opportunity to back out. There were two
wranglers, named Kevin and Alison,
ten dudes, Darrel and myself. Each of us
PHOTOS BY JEANNE AND DARREL LUBEY
Giddy Up, Mules!
By Jeanne Lubey
Jeanne and Darrel Lubey trek down the Grand Canyon
Darrel Lubey saddles up at the mule corral. Riders were assigned mules and the rules of the ride were fully explained
before heading out on their adventure.
