Roughin’ It

#6 – Set up camp

June 17, 2026

After all the jostling on the road into Toroweap, we found one other site occupied near us.
Being a good neighbor I walked over and introduced myself to JT. He and his friend Shawn were ex-military on a mission across the US from Key West, FL to Los Angeles, CA to Flagstaff, AZ. Their nonprofit “Roll For Veterans” support Team RWB (Red, White, Blue) helping empower vets through physical activity, meaningful connections and social engagement to remind vets they are not alone. At Toroweap they were nearing completion of 4545 miles in 120 days. In early July they were also taking a Colorado River trip through the Grand Canyon.

Mark and I quickly set up our camp nearby, then walked about a mile to the overlook. From past visits, that portion of the road had deteriorated significantly. On the earlier visit there, sedans (one time a Mercedes Benz) were capable of driving nearer the edge (maybe 400 feet away where placed boulders prevented driving further). Not now. The road’s unevenness, drop offs and rockiness were horrific. It was just as well that Mark and I walked to the edge.
For me, it was re-visiting a familiar location that still held excitement and fascination for me. The sheer red cliffs dropping directly down to the river still held me in awe, as did the wild rock formations, some seeming to teeter on the edges. Others, like petrified crashed flying saucers, lay akilter upon the surface.

From the edge high above, these photos show the depth of the chasm through which the Colorado River flows.

As they always have been, the views from these vantage points were incredible, my photos helping readers feel the experience and how awesome this place is.

Walking back to camp, we completed set-up in preparation of eating dinner and for sleeping. After the long day and dinner, we read awhile before turning in for the night. I stayed up a bit longer before climbing the ladder into my rooftop nest. The night was clear, but warm, no need for a sleeping bag or blanket. It took me some time before I could fall asleep but gazed out my tent windows marveling at all the stars that crowded the dark sky. What a pleasant way to end our eventful, adventurous day.