The Grand Canyon

Of the millions of people that visit the Grand Canyon each year, it is said that the average stay is only 4 hours. We stayed two days, but barely left the rim. Small kids and all.... I am destined to return and hike rim to rim. (Mule-less). There is a lot to see on the south rim. This was our second visit and we still haven't taken it all in.

Make no mistake about it, the weather is brutal in the summer. Bring lots of water.

We stayed on the rim in the Kachina lodge as the El Tovar was full. Make your reservations early to avoid this. Hey, we had rim facing rooms so I really have no complaints. I went to bed late and rose early to see the sun rise over the canyon - doesn't get any better than that.

Some of the little critters are a bit too friendly in the lunch area behind the lodges. This is because some AH's don't know how to read - "Don't Feed the Animals".

THE GRAND CANYON

On the way from the Four Corners region, we passed countless rickety stands along the side of the road where the native americans pedaled their trinkets. One sign even said "we're the friendly indians". Unbelieveable. That was, however, a bit of a problem in some areas where we felt a bit of animosity in the air - probably deservedly so. I would feel that way if forced to live in that inhospitable area.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon late afternoon to be greeted by a hail storm even though 30 mins earlier was over 90 degrees. We continued on to the eastern edge of the park and the Desert View Watchtower. When we got there, the heavens opened up and a torrential shower soaked everyone outside - we thought we were going to be washed into the canyon with the runoff.