Peng Yanbo (Bob) Hikes to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon

Peng Yanbo (Bob) was our student in Chengdu, Sichuan. He was in the U.S. going for an advanced degree at University of Wisconsin. After his school work was completed he came to Oregon to visit us. Shawn Chen was a teacher with us in Chengdu and he was also in the U.S. We arranged a motor trip in our van to visit some national parks in the west. One place we visited was the Grand Canyon. We got reservations for two people to hike down the bottom of the Grand Canyon so Bob and Shawn elected to go on the hike. Shawn was about 24 and Bob was about 40. Both were excited to go. It is somewhat difficult to get reservations on a moments notice but two people did not show up and so we took those two. Bernice and I stayed at the top and waited for them.

Water Break on the way up for Peng

We could see them slowly making their way up the trail after going to the bottom. Shawn was in front as they came into view. He was about a mile ahead of Peng. I guessed that Peng's legs were just a little older than Shawn. Bernice and I were sitting at the lodge at the top enjoying a cool milkshake as we watched. Eventually Shawn made it to the top and joined us. Peng seemed to be slowing down even more but still moving. Understand the reservations we had gotten were just for one day. They could not stay at the bottom. That meant that they had to hike down and then return in the same day. When Bernice and I went with our two sons we spent the night at the bottom and came up the next day. Well eventually Peng made it to the top somewhat exhausted. After a few minutes rest he remarked to us, "My legs do not obey me anymore."