Notice the mules along the side wall in the first photo taking tourists on the trail that you see in the following photos that goes on through the base of the canyon. Some of that trail on the wall is not much wider than needed for mule and rider single file. You sure could not have fear of height here!!
See the building beside the trail on the canyon floor and the black spots on the trail in both pictures? Those black spots are people walking the trail!! The only way that we could be sure it was people was to watch long enough to see there progress.
Yes, we stayed on the rim and most look-outs had rails. It gave us thoughts of what it would have been like if we had taken our children here when they were young. One would not have been a problem, another would have been questionable and the third one would have needed a rope tied on to him!! But they would have enjoyed it very much!!
Notice the family in the second photo here sitting on the edge!! They were sitting quietly!!
A zoom-in here showing the Colorado River winding it's way through the canyon. It is said to have created the canyon over millions of years time span.
After completing the tour of the south rim to the west, we stopped back at the motel to check in and have lunch. This is a huge fireplace in the lobby of the building and the dining room where we ate a delicious lunch.
This is the view of the canyon from our room window. We listened to channel 7 on TV which told all about the area. We found that there would be even better views from a look-out point to the east of us and a look-out tower to climb for unobstructed view in all directions.
On our way east we saw a car stopped in the road and we followed suit, to find out that there was a group of deer (probably eight). However, by time I got our camera out they were leaving us. So I was lucky to have gotten this much of a photo.
Hermit's Rest designed by architect Mary Coulter, is now a gift shop. There are still six buildings of her work remaining in the canyon area.
Watch Tower at Desert View was built in 1932 primarily as an observation station and rest stop for the Grand Canyon visitors. The architect was Mary Elizabeth Jane Coulter also. Months of research preceded the construction, which took three years. It is thought that the towers built were used for storage of food and for protection in times of war. The very top is the highest point on the South Rim, 7522 feet above sea level.
More photos taken from the tower. Notice the Colorado River winding it's way through the canyon. Enjoy!!
River view and views to our right.
Aren't zoom lenses wonderful? This was just below the tower and looked to be a cave. But we think that it was all natural.
And river views to our left from the tower.
Gary got up early in he morning, which is his usual, and took photos of the walls of the canyon as the rising sun shone on them. The wind was pretty cold that morning as snow flurries were forecast for later in the day.
Others were out early taking pictures also.
Gary went on to the house built in the side of the canyon by one of the early photographers who worked primarily on the canyon documentation by photo. Gary also checked out the mule trail until his acrophobia took over. This trail passed the house winding on down into the canyon. 
After I got up and packed, I had to get one last photo.
After I got up and packed, I had to get one last photo.
We did not waste too much time leaving the canyon area because of the snow forecast. We did not want to have difficulty driving. Two days later Flagstaff had eight inches of snow and we had traveled through Flagstaff.
This was a view just north of Flagstaff as we drove south. We believe it to be Arizona Snowbowl or Sunset Crater Volcano. But not sure!!
About a week later we are taking a bus tour of Sedona and Jerome which are also north of Flagstaff. Stay tuned.
No comments:
Post a Comment