A crisp clear day for our first view of the Canyon at Mather Point
Amongst the rest of the tourists - we were the only ones that spoke English. Lots of Europeans and Asians on the road these days
Sunrise over the Canyon
The rising sun paints the canyon from the rim down
Lookout Studio at Sunrise
Our little cabin was about 50 feet from the rim - beautiful view out the window, even makes keeping up with work on the Berry pleasant
A room with a view
Same view from the room window
Wendy showing off the cabin
Wendy is dressed for the crisp morning - it's 20 degrees!
Ready to head down the Bright Angel Trail
People are so small here in perspective with the rocks
Wendy spent a lot of the time avoiding mule poop
The restrooms at the Rest House, 1.5 miles below the canyon rim
Pack train coming out from Phantom Ranch
We turned around here, about 2 miles from the rim
The views made the uphill grade almost bearable - 1500 feet of vertical in 2 miles
Wonder how this picture was taken?
By using my bean bag designed and built by Sharon
As the clouds moved in to block the bright sun, the Canyon takes on a different look - but just as beautiful
The layers of the Grand Canyon tell stories of geologic history
Back on the rim, view from in front of El Tovar Lodge
El Tovar Lodge
Old Crow
Wendy made friends with the Ranger's horse
On the Rim Trail from El Tovar to Mather Point
You can see Indian Gardens and the trail out to Plateau Point
We spotted Marc's bike, couldn't find him
Bright Angel Lodge - our cabin was just to the west
One more shot of the cabin
El Tovar, just before sunset
A brisk start to Tuesday morning
The morning mists just after sunrise
God's paintbrush is so much more than humans could ever create
This fireplace is in the history room in the Bright Angel Lodge. Stones were taken from the Canyon, and are laid in the order they appear on the Canyon walls. A geology lesson right there in front of you.
While Ron was out shooting sunrise pictures, Wendy had a visitor pass by the cabin window
You talking to ME?
This picture looks like the deer was added in Photoshop. It was not. The fill flash makes the deer stand out from the Canyon sunrise
Wendy's favorite place to sit and watch the sunrise. Or sunset.
See...Enjoying the sunrise
View of our cabin showing the native stone exterior. The boardwalk is on the back side and leads to the parking lot
One final picture before we leave the lodge area of the South Rim
The West Rim drive is open to automobiles for a few winter months. Today brought spectacular vistas
Each stop is a different perspective, beautiful from another angle
The sign right behind Wendy warns of the 1000' dropoff
The memorial to John Wesley Powell has been renovated
Plaque at the top of the memorial
Beauty everywhere!
That's as close as Ron was willing to get to the edge
Our first good view of the Colorado River
A closer look at the river and Hermit Rapids (I think)
Can you see the faint trail on each side of the gorge? That is the Tonto Trail, part of the ten mile hike we've made in the past from Monument Creek to Indian Gardens. Lots of fun in the summer!
The Abyss - 3000 feet from the rim to Monument Creek
Yes, there are crazy people out there
View of Monument Creek at the bottom of the Abyss - way down there is a campsite!
The Monument - a natural rock tower that is a welcome sight at the end of the 8 mile hike from Hermit's Rest
Just south of the Monument is the backcountry campsite at Monument Creek - viewed from the top of the Abyss
The fireplace at Hermit's Rest, another beautiful structure designed by Mary Jane Colter
They've upgraded the restrooms since 2001
This is the traditional photo spot for the start of our backpacking expeditions at Hermit's Rest. Ron first stood here in 1992 with Dean, Drew, and Ronnie; then again in 2001 with Clint, Clint's Dad (also Clint), Clay, Cooter, and Scott
The access road from the parking lot at Hermit's Rest to the trailhead
Trail sign at the Hermit's Rest trailhead
The start of the Hermit's Rest trail
Found our new RV!
We stopped by the entrance sign as we left GCNP
