The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park: We were all up early this morning and hiked from the campground to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. What a beautiful way to start the day. The sky was clear, but it wasn't very warm - and it never was warm all day. I apologize in advance for posting so many photos of a great big hole in the ground.

Good morning from The Grand Canyon


The Grand Canyon


Your correspondent on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (photo by MJB)


Rock formation clinging the canyon


The top of the plateau on the south rim

Today we talked to a young Canadian guy who had just reached the South Rim from a four-day group hike beginning on the north rim. They hiked two-days down to the river, and two days up to the South Rim. Later, we talked to a young guide who had just returned from a three-day trip where he guided a group of Europeans to the bottom of the canyon, with several hikes on the Colorado River, beginning and ending at the South Rim. Along the way he saw two rams head-butting in front of a ewe!!! This would be a great way to see the Grand Canyon.

We were less ambitious and only hiked west along the south rim, past the lodge and several fabulous vista points. At a certain point, the trail ended (due to construction) so we turned around, hiked back to lodge and caught the shuttle bus back to the campground where we enjoyed the rest of the lasagna from last night and rested for our afternoon adventure. (Well, everyone except DT of course. A three hour hike wasn't enough exercise for My Driver. He went for a jog while we had lunch.)

To see the rest of the south rim, we all piled in my little Honda and drove 25 miles to Desert View, the eastern-most point on the south rim (via automobile)... and then we worked our way back to our campsite - stopping at every view point and turn-out we could find. It was a great afternoon.

My Honda only seats five... so someone has to ride in the back. Today, it was my turn.


The Watchtower at Desert View


Inside the Watchtower. We climbed up four stories to reach the top


The "desert view" from Desert View


The view of the Grand Canyon from The Watchtower -
notice the Colorado River winding through the canyon.


We stopped at the Tusayan Ruins and Museum. The ruins above are of living quarters.


Ruins of a large Kiva at the Tusayan Ruins on the south rim of the Grand Canyon


The view from Moran Point


My personal paparazzi at Moran Point


Sunset at Mather Point


Frozen tourists at Mather Point at sunset

We have a big day planned for tomorrow, so check back. Until my next update, I remain, your Grand Canyon correspondent.

Campground: Trailer Village. #I-59. $32. Full hook-ups up to 50-feet length, with 30 & 50 amp and even cable television. Long pull-though, BBQ grill and picnic table. Bath house and laundry, store, etc. Strange sewer hose requirement though: our check-in host said sewer hoses are only allowed outside while dumping your tanks - because the birds peck holes in the sewer hoses! I have been RVing since the Johnson administration and this is the first time I have ever heard of this.