Today began rather early. After a late night last night, we all got up at 4:20 this morning and headed to the Grand Canyon for a view of the sunrise on the rim. Notably, NO ONE complained! We got to the rim in plenty of time, and waited with about 50 others on our point for the sun to show up. Unfortunately, we were stood up. Overcast clouds gathered and conspired to rob us of our sunrise! Still, any view of the rim in the morning is spectacular, even if it is only 41 degrees!
We headed up to El Tovar Lodge, just following the paved path, to nose around. As we came around the back of the lodge (Canyon side), we were shocked to see these beautiful bull elk browsing like cattle on the green grass next to the path. As you can see, they were in full velvet, and not intimidated by touristy humans. Altogether, we saw seven different bull elk in the park, and all but one were at least five points.
It pays to get up early. As we continued past the elk and around the canyon rim, we also saw this little not-so-Big Horn Sheep checking us out from below the rim.
After these sights, and with the clouds holding strong, we went back to Tusayan (5 miles) for some breakfast. Although our hotel offered Continental, McDonald’s seemed to fit everyone’s taste, so we ate breakfast there at 6:15. During breakfast, the sun came out (naturally).
Then we went to the hotel, where we had some more breakfast, and Sherry and Jeremy went back to bed for two hours, while Forrest drank coffee and blogged, and Ian took a shower and read his book. Around 9:00, we headed back to the canyon.
At the first point, we saw these rare California Condors perching and flying on thermals.
Sherry took this photo of pack mules on the Bright Angel trail. Yes, this picture is almost straight down, and yes, Sherry actually took it! An older couple told us the trail is nine miles down to the Colorado River and nine miles back up. It descends 4000 feet to the bottom, and gets a lot hotter as they go down!
Sherry really enjoyed talking to people along the viewpoints. Everyone is very social and friendly, and she greatly enjoyed all the little bits and pieces she learned and shared along the way.
The picture below is an old copper mine that was below the rim. The boys were fascinated and insisted on hiking this particular trail so they could see the mine. I really need to take them to the old gold mine in the Ochoco Mountains sometime.
At the end of our time at the Grand Canyon, we went to the point that is furthest West, called Hermit's Rest. Sherry took this picture there, which evokes the quiet reverence and beauty of the entire area. On Sunday evening, there were many religious services, including Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Jewish and other faiths. We did not know about these until 10:00 Sunday
night, too late to attend.
This is the stone house, built into a hillside at hermit's rest. It's really an attraction that was built in 1914 to serve visitors. but it is very real, and the boys learned about the significance of the keystone in architecture.
Sherry took this picture of us, with the Colorado River in the background far below. The Grand Canyon is considered one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, and is worth the trip for a visit. We were sorry we couldn't stay longer and experience more of it.
Of course, we had to get a picture of Ian with the train that runs from Williams to the canyon (50 miles). We opted not to take it, due to time constraints.
I told my niece Olivia that I would get some blog up here for Ian and Jeremy, and we started that today. Hopefully, I'll get it posted tomorrow morning. Also, a wildflower gallery is coming soon from our trip today!
The rest of the day was uneventful, just traveling down I-40 to Gallop. We had supper at Denny's, and the boys had their third breakfast of the day. They were in heaven!
The rest of the day was uneventful, just traveling down I-40 to Gallop. We had supper at Denny's, and the boys had their third breakfast of the day. They were in heaven!
We reached Gallop around 10:00--after we crossed a time zone and added an hour. Tomorrow, we have an 8.5 hour drive to Oklahoma!
