Las Vegas, Prescott and Mesa AZ

We arrived in Mesa, AZ, a few days ago. Gary has been particularly busy cleaning and waxing the exterior of the RV as we prepare to leave it for several months in the RV park here in Mesa. It went from being quite dirty to very shiny. We received two rock dings on the windshield from passing trucks in Utah. One was quite small but the other one was from a very large rock, at least 2 inches in diameter, judging from the size of the round mark it left. We had a glass repair company here to do the repairs, and the smaller one was fixed, but this larger one can't be fixed, so at some point we will require yet another new windshield - our fifth for this motor home. 

Previously we had a very enjoyable few days in Prescott, much cooler than Phoenix, largly due to the higher elevation there. We had one particularly nice walk around Watson Lake. The first photo was taken looking out at the lake from a point above.

 

 

I did want to post one other photo, taken at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas, where we were for several nights. We went on a hike that passed some pictographs about 700-800 years old, I believe. I just love this one. 

 

While we were in Las Vegas, we went to a Lionel Ritchie concert. It was fabulous, and I can't get several of the songs out of my head, particularly "Hello". Ah, my era music! He is a wonderful entertainer! 

Zion National Park

A beautiful hike in an area of Zion not hiked as frequently by the many people here - Kolob Canyons. We hiked up a creek with 55 creek crossings - good thing we had on waterproof shoes. The end of the hike is a beautiful arch alcove. Hikers pass two 19th century cabins and through a very wet riparian area. 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving Jacob Lake, AZ, and on to Zion National Park

We left Jacob Lake, AZ, yesterday, which was where we camped for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The only reason I am bringing this up in this post is because of a squirrel. Yes, as we were leaving I looked out the front window and saw a Kaibab Squirrel running down a tree, and he crossed the road right in front of us. It's the only one we saw. Why, you might ask, is this notable?  Well, the Kaibab Squirrel is found only on the North Rim of the Kaibab Plateau which is where the Grand Canyon is. Nowhere else in the world does this exact squirrel live. At first I thought it was a skunk, but then saw it as distinctly squirrel. I did not take this photo, but I wish I had. 

We drove the short distance to Zion National Park yesterday. After we got set up, it was time for a run. The campground is next to the Virgin River which is what formed Zion Canyon. The campground is also next to a desert area that has ATV roads running around. We decided to run there for a little ways. It was fun! The ATVers also were having fun. They watched out for us and we watched out for them. The off road area is also an equestrian area, so we figured everyone had to be careful and respectful. 

Today we went into the park and hiked up the river to the end of the dry trail. This is where people go into the river to hike to The Narrows. We didn't do that but did see hundreds and hundreds of people wading upstream. Many went barefoot,but many had on boots that can be rented in the town just outside the park. 

The trail afforded other wonderful views of the rock walls of the canyon and the wetness everywhere. 

And this view as we were driving back to our RV at sunset. 

North Rim of the Grand Canon

We've  had 3 nights in a campground at Jacob Lake which is about 45 miles from the North Rim Lodge of the Grand Canyon. We drove up to the North Rim yesterday for a lovely albeit wet day. 

We managed a hike before the rain started, and then sat in the beautiful lodge, and on the veranda when there was a pause in the rain, watching the clouds over the canyon. We also had dinner in the very fine dining room with a window table and a splendid view. This side of the canyon is not nearly as heavily impacted by tourism as the South Rim. So it is much more reminiscent of the casual elegance of days gone by. 

Gary had Buffalo steak for dinner. It was very good, he said. We didn't know that there is a small Bison herd in the Park, which we passed as we were driving in. 

Coming back from the park after dinner last night, at dusk, we passed through a very open area, about 10 miles of meadow. There were hundreds of deer there. Everywhere you looked. We followed 8 motorcycles as we drove through the waning light. The front rider was keeping good watch for animals on the road. We had the same experience on the South Rim except it was elk we had to watch for. Very happy to be following those motorcycles. 

Today we decided to drive back down the Kaibab Plateau (from 8000 ft at Jacob Lake to 3000 ft) to the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. A bridge was built there in 1929, considered an engineering marvel in its day, called Navajo Bridge. This bridge replaced an archaic ferry that was the only way across the river previously - Lees Ferry. 

Today the old bridge remains a National Historic Landmark, adjacent to the new bridge, which was built to resemble the old one. We walked across the old bridge and took a photo of the Colorado River below, which at this point has left the Glen Canyon Dam, and is winding its way to the Grand Canyon. 

Old bridge on the right

This spot is arguably the start of the Grand Canyon. 

Then we drove over to the Lees Ferry site, had lunch by the river, and walked around the historic remains of the buildings which housed the Mormon family who operated the ferry. 

The final item for the day was a drive over to the historic Jacob Lake Ranger Station which has been charmingly preserved. It was built in 1910 and must have been really isolated. 

Rim to Rim and Other Hikes at Grand Canyon

The two principal runners, Mark Specker and friend, Chase, successfully completed the 26 or more mile run from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon yesterday. The rest of us hiked various numbers of miles down Bright Angel and back. All 4 kids including Chip and Penelope, hiked out to the Indian Garden Plateau Point for a total of about 13+ miles. Kristi did a 6 mile out and back. Gary did the 10 mile out and back to Indian Garden and hiked and jogged back up with Mark. I did a mere 4 miles but that's what my knees were telling me. Here are two photos of the Finish Line. Thanks to Kristi, our intrepid photographer and organizer par excellence.

Our beautiful National Parks

IWe've been without cell service or Internet for at least 10 days. Way too much to try to catch up on for this blog. So I'll post a few photos of our time at Capitol Reef NP, Bryce Canyon NP, and Grand Staircase-Escalante Natl. Monument. Except for yesterday and today we had perfect weather. But it rained steadily and hard yesterday, filling all the washes with raging red water in this canyon country. We arrived at the Grand Canyon this afternoon. Now it is very windy and we expect it to drop to mid 30s tonight and maybe colder tomorrow night. 

Photos from Capitol Reef and the wonderful campground at Fruita. 

Gifford house, a pioneer home

Slot canyon

On the rough road of Cathedral Valley

A rock that looks like glass

Bryce Canyon

Grand Staircase Escalante

Grosvenor Arch, named for the founder of The National Geographic Society, and a distant cousin of Gary's. 

Another slot canyon we hiked (Cottonwood Canyon)

Cedar Breaks National Monument

CCC era visitor center

Road to Cedar Breaks. Aspen at peak of color. 

Aspen in a lava field

Logging truck near Cedar Breaks