Getting closer

Well, so far it's been an interesting year. Very little possibility of anything like a longer ride to get ready for the August trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone. Doug, Jim and I have all taken advantage of the short breaks in the rain to take some trips closer to home, but even as I'm writing this, there are thunder storms outside my window. I guess the gear for the trip will be rain gear.
An interesting development this spring has been the addition of a trip to the Grand Canyon next year. My kids and I are planning another Rim to Rim backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon next year. When I told Jim and Doug I already expected Doug to go, he was a big part of the last one several years ago. I didn't expect Jim to want to go too. Cool! Sandy is even thinking about it. Pam, Laura and Tim,  and maybe Marie and my sister Mary,will go, but not into the canyon. Looks like we'll have a couple more hikers with us this time. Our last trip through the canyon was probably the most difficult thing I've ever done. It was BRUTAL! and so awesome I'll do it again in a heartbeat!
Anyway, the plan is for Doug, Jim and myself to bike out to Arizona and meet everyone at the Canyon. We'll be doing a North South hike this time. We plan to spend more than two nights in the canyon. There is soooooo much we didn't see last trip. That time the goal was to complete the rim to rim hike. This time we're tourists.
When we get out of the canyon, everyone else will head home, the bikers will continue on for a couple more weeks. That should be a very exciting trip!
This year..... we're heading to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons! The plan is to meet Pam and Sandy in Denver. They will ride with us for two weeks through as many parks and interesting places as we can get to. Then we'll drop them off at another airport for their trip home, and once again, the 3 intrepid (aging) bikers will continue on. 
Folks, this isn't a bucket list type thing, it's purely an interesting and fun way to spend a few weeks. There are so many places I've flown over that must be visited. We may be riding for many years yet.