Looking back towards home

OK, so I still haven’t quite said goodbye to Grand Canyon. Today, Ranger Jessica (if she’d only get a blog I’d link to her) and I went to the South Rim from Flagstaff for a lecture by Dr. Douglas Schwartz, a renowned Grand Canyon archaeologist since the 1950s. The hour long lecture was interesting, nice to hear the story of revolutionary discoveries I’d read about from the man himself.

Yet the best part of being there occurred after lunch at El Tovar. The amazing view of the canyon and looking back towards the North Rim buried under dark clouds. It is still hard to say goodbye to the canyon. But, Mike and I have a permit to hike after Thanksgiving, down the South Kaibab Trail, two nights at Bright Angel camp, up the Bright Angel Trail with one night at Indian Garden camp. Hey, that’s next month!

Half way home

Last night on the North Rim it hailed. This morning started out with rain then cleared as we hooked the 5th-wheel to the truck. By 9:30 we pulled out of our home space of the last six months and made it to Jacob Lake for breakfast an hour later. It felt very weird for me to follow the RV, although I know it was in very capable hands.

The fall leaves are almost gone and it felt like winter creeping upon the land.

We saw some partly sunny skies for a while past the Vermilion Cliffs.

Then we headed south across the Painted Desert towards the San Francisco Peaks.

I thought we would drive into a devastating storm.

But it didn’t rain too heavy and we made into the Flagstaff KOA a little after 3pm. Sure is noisy here. I’m really not used to city traffic.

Tomorrow I’m going to the South Rim with Ranger Jessica to hear a lecture by renowned Grand Canyon archaeologist Dr. Douglas Schwartz. Just can’t get enough of this place and will be very different looking at the North Rim instead of being there. Saturday we head the rest of the way home.

SWF – Goodnight Grand Canyon

Sweet dreams over the winter months.

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Goodbye Grand Canyon

Thursday morning we pull the 5th-wheel out of the park, down off the Kaibab Plateau, across Marble Plateau and the Colorado River, through the Painted Desert, past Mt Humphreys and into Flagstaff. I’ll be following Mike in the car.

It really is difficult to say goodbye to the canyon. After today’s share of packing was done we took a walk by the Rim and listened to the thunder coming from the South Rim.

The Lodge is buttoned up for the winter.

We should be back next spring. Until then, goodbye Grand Canyon, for now.

Should have WIFI in Flagstaff where we’ll be staying until Saturday morning.

Scenic Sunday – Storm behind the Saddle

View east across the saddle from Point Imperial

A few weeks ago Mike and I went for a drive, and a few short hikes, during a storm. The canyon appears in many guises and I love them all.

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