We started out this afternoon to simply walk the rim trail to the west. We rode our bikes out to the first overlook and looked over the canyon. We did that a couple more times till we finally reached the place on the rim trail that we stopped this morning.
As we started walking, it seemed like the trail got further and further from the rim. It was a nice walk in the woods, but kinda defeated the purpose of walking “the rim trail”, so we turned back and retrieved the bikes.
Another stop, another overlook, another view. All unique, all beautiful. We kept on, walking a bit, riding a bit, working our way west.
We made it 9 miles, all the way to the end at Hermit’s Rest. As we finally started back, we both looked at the “gas” gauge on our bikes and we had plenty of juice left. Until we started up the hills. The gauges went lower. And lower. And with “only” 8 more miles to go, Susy’s bike died. I kept on going, using the last bit of energy mine had, getting slower and slower as the battery expired, and I coasted into an overlook parking lot. I set off on foot back up the road to find my lost wife, and finally found her pushing her dead machine.
Yes, they are e-bikes, but they definitely have the emphasis on E. They are heavy, and short, and without juice, pedaling is no easy thing.
Susy tried hers again and the battery had recovered just enough to get her to the parking lot.
So, we did what any intelligent person would do… we locked up the bikes, watched the sunset, grabbed our batteries, and caught the bus back to the camper. 😄 Tomorrow is another day.
Mike and Susy's Spirit of Discovery 
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