I took some photos during/after our recent snowfall...






Including images of our new thai employees enjoying their first snowfall.

My thumb is continuing to improve. The Physical Therapist has me out of the brace now except when I am at work. I also have some resistance exercises to do now. One is with a rubber band basically opening and closing a "shadow puppet" Alligator's mouth. the other is using something called Theraputty resistive hand execise material. Basically a stiff silly putty like compound. I go back to PT on Thursday.

I have been working 11 hour days as a host lately. We had a visitor to our dining room the other night... a very cute critter known as a Ring Tail Cat. The ringtail cat is actually the state mammal for Arizona.

Thumb update

I went to the physical therapist on Tuesday the 11th. I was fitted with a new splint as well as given exercises to do when not doing anything that would affect my thumb such as watching tv. Hopefully it won't be long before I am back at 100% and in my usual job as a cook's helper. Nothing else much new around here. weather has been in the upper 50's to 60's everyday, while it's still getting pretty cold at night averaging about 20 degrees Farenheit.

California Condors

I got my first glimpse yesterday of the California Condors here at the Canyon. Unfortunately I was at work and didn't have my camera with me. They are freaking Huge!!! They were riding updrafts over the canyon and kept rising and falling as they circled. I *think* there were three of them but it was hard to tell as they were circling and rising and falling on the updrafts as I mentioned. Went to Williams today with a few friends. It's a small town near the Canyon. We ate at Rod's Steakhouse which is allegedly world famous. I just had soup and salad as their prices were out of my budget for the most part (chopped sirloin was cheapest at $14.oo). It looked like it would be a cheap place to eat from the outside.

Not much new here, though the managers at the Bright Angel Lodge, where I am currently working as a host, all seem to be very pleased with me; offering praise as well as trying to convince me not to go back to Yavapai as a cook when I am off light duty restrictions.

Apologies

I have been slow to update. For one I don't have Internet access in my dorm and have to go to the community rec center for free wireless access. It's not far, but I really only have time on my days off. For two I recently partially tore some ligaments in my left thumb/hand. I had a dumpster lid fall on the end of my thumb and bend it backwards. I have a splint I will be wearing for the next 4-6 weeks as well as undergo physical therapy.

Now for the updates....
Due to my thumb injury I am not currently working as a cook, but as a host in one of the other restaurants due to being restricted to lifting no more than 2 pounds with my left hand.

Rim Trail

Taking Photographs

Walking along rim trail

in awe of canyon

This is a photo of Indian Gardens as seen from the Rim Trail

Looking down from a portion of the rim trail heading towards Hermit's Rest.

Me at Yaki Point

Looking down from Pipe Creek Vista

Wotan's Throne and Wallhala plateau as seen from Yaki Point

I also was watching a raven while at Pipe Creek Vista; these things are huge (and everywhere out here)

One week update

Well I have been out here for a week now. I have looked at the canyon. I have seen many mule deer, and snapped some pictures. The ones with the camera phone are pretty small the others aren't developed yet.
Well will update in the near future.