Posts from the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Tourist Day

Tourist Central = The Village (click on map to enlarge)

This was our obligatory Tourist Day. It wasn’t intended that way. Originally we had plans to catch the sunrise at Moran Point which meant getting up at about 3:30 am. Scratch that. Next, we were going to watch the sunrise somewhere near The Village. Nope. Finally, it devolved into getting up late and playing tourists. Better, much better.

At about 8 am we caught the Blue Line bus to the end of the line — the Bright Angel Trailhead. From there we walked the Rim Trail through “The Village”. We had breakfast at Bright Angel Lodge, visited El Tovar Hotel (where we stayed 25 years ago), had ice cream, bought stuff, and snapped photos along the way.

Here are the photos . . .

KOLB STUDIO

On the Rim Trail

Kolb Studio

Kolb Studio

Kolb Studio View

LOOKOUT STUDIO

Lookout Studio View

ICE CREAM

Braving the Ledge

EL TOVAR HOTEL

El Tovar

Inside El Tovar

BUYING STUFF

Serape

Serape and T-shirt

Scratch the Serape – Jewelry Instead

Another Death at the Grand Canyon

Red Dotted Line = My Walk. Blue Circle = Where the Woman Fell (Click on Map to Enlarge)

As Flirt and I were taking a long walk through the woods from our campground to Yaki Point, I heard emergency vehicle sirens. I thought it might be a fire at the nearby Visitor Center. A short while later a helicopter flew low overhead. Medical evacuation?

Walking/Bike Trail to Yaki Point

We crossed the highway to the South Kaibab Trail, and I saw yellow CAUTION tape across the trail. I asked a couple of park rangers exiting the trail if it was still closed. They said yes. I asked what’s going on, but they said nothing. But by this time I suspected that someone had fallen off the canyon rim, and two hikers confirmed it.

A few hours after I walked back to our campground, the story about the woman’s death appeared — Houston Chronicle. This story seems especially tragic as it sounds like the woman did not immediately fall to her death.

It was reported that the woman was off the trail by some 200 to 300 feet.

If you’ve seen my recent Grand Canyon posts, then you’ve seen the photos of people at or near steep drop offs — most of the times to get that “perfect” picture. It’s a wonder more people aren’t killed.

Eastern Rim Road Trip

Dotted Red Line is Our Route (Click Map To Enlarge)

On Monday, we stopped at several scenic viewpoints along the Eastern Rim of the Grand Canyon, about 25 miles from our campground along Arizona Highway 64.

Here are the photos . . .

TUSAYAN MUSEUM

DESERT VIEW

This is a great stop . . . food, gas, and bathrooms.

We Did Not Climb the Tower

NAVAJO POINT

LIPAN POINT

The Inset is the Hance Rapids about 4 Miles Away

Happening Everywhere around the Rim

MORAN POINT

Getting Around the South Rim

Click on Map to Enlarge

A few days ago we hopped onto a Blue Line bus from Trailer Village where we’re camping.

Waiting for the Bus

The Bus

Then we transferred to a Red Line Bus and rode it to Trailview Overlook. We hiked about a mile along the Rim Trail to Maricopa Point.

Here are some photos from our hike . . .

Handy Trail Markers

Getting Close to the Edge

For my sisters

Jan being very brave. When we first visited the Grand Canyon, this would never have happened . . .

At the Edge

Tom also grips that rail

But there’s always that kid . . .

After the hike to Maricopa Point, we boarded a Red Line bus and headed for Hermit’s Rest . . .

Photos from Hermit’s Rest . . .

Then we took buses back to Yavapai Lodge where we had lunch.

Grand Canyon, AZ

Jan’s 1st Selfie

We arrived at Trailer Village at the Grand Canyon last Saturday afternoon. It’s a full hookup campground and we’re here for two weeks.

This is our third visit here. The first time we essentially drove by in 1992 during our Route 66 tour. In 1994, we stayed at El Tovar for several days and absolutely loved it.

Click on map to enlarge

On our way up this time up we had concerns about the cold and the possibility of getting snow. We saw patches of it on the sides of Interstate 40 outside of Flagstaff.

Also, the Grand Canyon is at 6,800 feet. Elevation plays a huge role in weather as the further up you go, the colder it gets.

Click to enlarge

On our first day here we walked to the canyon’s rim and logged about 3 miles. There is plenty to do here . . . more later . . .

Some photos from Jan . . .