We’ve been in Phoenix for a week now (don’t worry, a full recap of what we’ve done, including a few videos, is coming soon…) but we decided to stay here to celebrate the good ole US of A. This decision didn’t come easy, but a few plans fell through in San Diego, so we decided we could extend our time in Phoenix and skip Ron Burgundy’s favorite city. Plus, we were feeling pretty spoiled by having our own condo to stay in and didn’t want to leave just yet.

As it turned out, both Schasse and I were very happy with the decision. Tim and Roz (Schasse’s aunt and uncle) invited us over for lunch where they treated us to healthy portions of potato salad and baby back ribs. The food was garnished with freedom, independence, and the pursuit of happiness, so it sure tasted like the 4th of July!

After lunch, we went to a pool party in Tempe where we swam, played volleyball, grilled out, and drank a few American craft Brews. We even had time to give several discs away. The first went to Zac, the ten-year old son of Kaysi, a fellow Ultimate player and pool party attendee. Growing up with a mom who plays the sport, Zac was already an old pro with a disc in his hand. Here he is showing off an intense pose that his disc donor, Khoa Do would be proud of.

Since one is never enough on the 4th of July, we handed out two more discs to a pair of awesome little dudes who were chilling by the pool. Joshua and Jordan were having a great time tossing around with our group of friends. Schasse suggested giving them each a disc and after I hit one of them in the head with an errant throw,  it sure seemed like the right thing to do. Thanks Richard West and Judde Golliher for making two  kids’ day!

Jackson was excited to receive a disc from Bryan Thompson. Schasse’s aunt runs a day care in Phoenix that Jackson attends. While spending some time with his aunt and uncle, Schasse taught Jackson how to throw a backhand and how to properly catch a disc using two hands. Jackson – however – laughed at Schasse’s advice as he easily caught the disc over and over again with one hand. What a boss!

The Grand Canyon is a humbling place. You realize just how small you are and how big a world you live in when you first look down. You realize that your legs aren’t as strong as you thought they were when you try to climb up. And you realize that your throwing and decision-making skills need some work once the canyon claims two discs you were supposed to give away. (Don’t worry;  we’ve got extras!)

Still, for each disc we lost we managed to donate one to a deserving Grand Canyon visitor. We met 12-year-old Nathan at a water stop while hiking back to the top. We figured anyone who can still smile that earnestly after hiking several miles uphill would make for a good Ultimate player. Nathan hasn’t played any Ultimate but he promised to check out our site and give the sport a try. We hope that Scott and Sandy Breuer (Wags’ mom and step-dad) have inspired another kid to reach for his potential on the Ultimate field.

While we were asking Nathan if he wanted a disc, another Grand Canyon hiker expressed her interest in getting one. Kristen is a little outside the demographic of our previous disc recipients, but we decided she was worthy anyway. She was lamenting the fact that she and her friends had traveled from California without a frisbee, so who were we to deprive her of one any longer? Schasse didn’t think Cindy Moeding would mind her disc going to someone who really wanted one, especially since Kristen is such an awesome kid at heart.

Our impressive Four Corners Demonstration left two young lads especially enthralled and it was apparent that they were in need of some circular shaped plastic in their lives. Brothers Ethan (left) and Eli (right) were vacationing in the area and didn’t bring any discs on the trip! We quickly rectified the situation, courtesy of Brad Kopecky and Kelly Kotche.Thanks to both Brad and Kelly and we hope those guys enjoy their new discs!

We’re a few days behind here, but we met Dominic and his family last Thursday, June 13 at Grizzly Creek near Glenwood Canyon, CO. We had just returned from a run and were tossing a disc in the parking lot when Dominic’s family arrived. They took an interest in our throwing as they were unpacking their rafting equipment, so we struck up a conversation. After explaining what we were doing, we asked Dominic if he would like a disc. Since he hasn’t played much Ultimate, he was pretty pumped to have a disc  so he would be able to hone his skills. Here he is posing with his mom and sister and his new disc, courtesy of Jane and Kevin Wagner-Murphy.

The first day of our road trip saw us get as far as the Twin Cities! With just under two hours and a hundred miles under our belt we’re feeling, well, pretty underachieving. That being said, we did find a deserving recipient for our first disc donation. Two year old Zack Anderson was slightly taken aback by the honor, and even a little hesitant to accept such a gift. But once his mom reassured him that the disc came to him courtesy of his Nana Banana (and Schasse’s mom, Marilyn Zmuda) he couldn’t wait to have Schasse show him some cool tricks. Better be careful though, Chris. It won’t be long before Zack is showing you a thing or two!