The Highest Man in Arizona!!!

I have done it, I have become the highest man in Arizona!! Not Matt-Erra-High, I’m speaking of elevation!! Humphrey’s Peak no longer eludes me!! 12,633ft, and your boy Garret Zuppiger STANDS atop it!

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This is being written from a very dodgy hotel room in Page, AZ. I decided to treat myself to a nice shower and bed after having been outside for a week. The AC and fridge are both hot in here, and I didn’t dare go sub-covers last night in the bed.  With that said, Page is a good place to stay away from. People walk the streets at night here, and not like the people on 36th st. These people are a special blend of drunk indians and homeless old cowboys. It adds a lot to the the aura of the town. Also in Page, some of the most beautiful scenery on earth exists —– if one is able to ignore the power plants and huge electrical lines that go in every direction. On to the meat:

I had to leave Phoenix on August 17th. I put everything that I should need in my truck. It is very nice to not have many things to keep track of. Matt E sheltered me from the rain out in Vistancia and I got to say goodbye to Mrs. Ellen Erra, the sweetest lady in the world who is gone to China for two years. Big ups to my boy Big Bad John for lending me the Waldport Country Club card and setting me up with crab fishing gear!!

Sedona was the first stop. Uncle Jeff is always a delight! The guy has figured it out!! Did some fishing, brewery-ing, and blackberry picking.

We drove up to Pine and took my Great-Grandfather to dinner for his 87th birthday. A great generation he comes from. I must mention however that he was elated to receive a 30-pack of Miller Lite as a gift, and then proceeded to entertain Jeff and I with a detailed account of his “colonostraphe”.

I left Sedona for Flagstaff the next morning. Picked up some fruit and sandwich material and of course a Starbucks and headed for the mountain. The hike up was fantastic. The forest was very wet with the recent rains. I saw deer and made some friends from NC. The last 1500ft. of the hike took most of the effort. There is no air to be had at 12,000 ft. When I summited that SOB, I shared some wonderful blackberries that I had picked with a squirrel and some fellow hikers.

I came down the mountain, and headed straight for the Beaver St. Brewery in downtown Flagstaff. I read somewhere that beer must be constantly consumed whilst on the road, especially after a physically demanding hike to replenish the electrohydrates in your legs. *sidenote – I am also having a beer right now at 8:30AM while typing this. It is a 24oz. Mickey’s, it is cold, it is delicious…* Uncle Jeff met me up at the brewery, because he is a man who believes in beer as well.

Got in touch with Steve-O, and went deer hunting. I had no idea how sharp I look in full camo. My bud Steve can shoot a bow and arrow about a half-mile and hit his mark within a 1/16th inch tolerance. Modern day Robin Hood that moves through the forest with less than a whisper’s worth of noise. He is a deer’s worst nightmare.

We didn’t kill anything. Almost got trampled by one, car alarm scared another one, one guy shot an arrow over the highway at a deer and hit an SUV instead. It was a mess. Did drink quite a bit though and learned a bunch of things from Steve about the forest. Shout out to the Hudson women for the Venison Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas!!! Best ever!!!

That brings me to Page.  I going to finish my breakfast beverage, and then head toward the canyon. I think I am going to skip my motel’s free continental breakfast, or maybe go get it and feed it to the street people of Page.

Next Stop: Point Sublime, Grand Canyon, AZ