Wednesday, June 8, 2011
You can click on any picture and see a bigger portion of it. All of the viewpoints that were put up by the Nat'l Park had rails so you couldn't fall off. But, there were also areas where we saw the younger crowd walk out on. All it takes is one false step and over you go....scary....
If you click on the second picture from the bottom of the last post, you can see a patch of the Colorado River. This next group of pictures has one picture of the canyon where the Phantom Ranch is located, notice all the greenery, and the picture after that shows the bridge where the mule train crosses the river to the Ranch. I always thought I'd like to ride the mule train down to the River, until I found out that it's 9 1/2 miles of rough trail down and the same amount back up the next morning. If you are not used to riding a horse or mule, well, you are going to have one sore body when all is said and done...so guess I'll have to think of an easier way down there....
If you click on the second picture from the bottom of the last post, you can see a patch of the Colorado River. This next group of pictures has one picture of the canyon where the Phantom Ranch is located, notice all the greenery, and the picture after that shows the bridge where the mule train crosses the river to the Ranch. I always thought I'd like to ride the mule train down to the River, until I found out that it's 9 1/2 miles of rough trail down and the same amount back up the next morning. If you are not used to riding a horse or mule, well, you are going to have one sore body when all is said and done...so guess I'll have to think of an easier way down there....
Another day off, and we are off to see the Canyon. The last time we were there was in May of 1990, while we were traveling cross country towards Philadelphia, Ron's new duty station. All I remember of that trip was that we had been driving, driving, driving, north from Phoenix in an old 1948 Chevy 1 ton bus that used to be a rural school bus. As we came closer to the Canyon, all of a sudden, there it was! It took my breath away to realize it was so close to the road!
Back then, I don't remember all the commercialization that we saw this time. I don't think there was a concrete walkway along the rim, either, but, I may be wrong. We didn't really stay all that long, only about a couple of hours, but, it was enough to see what we came to see. This time we took more pictures and walked quite a ways along the rim walk. I was under the impression that we had to park in the parking lots and take the tram, but, that is not the case. You can drive wherever you want, even if it's along the rim drive. We did take the tram down to the main area around Grand Canyon Village to have lunch, then, took the tram to the Visitor Center, but, then walked back to the car. We lucked out finding another parking lot up near where all the hotels are located. The only time you have to take the tram is if you want to visit the westernmost viewpoints, as no cars are allowed out there in the summer.
Back then, I don't remember all the commercialization that we saw this time. I don't think there was a concrete walkway along the rim, either, but, I may be wrong. We didn't really stay all that long, only about a couple of hours, but, it was enough to see what we came to see. This time we took more pictures and walked quite a ways along the rim walk. I was under the impression that we had to park in the parking lots and take the tram, but, that is not the case. You can drive wherever you want, even if it's along the rim drive. We did take the tram down to the main area around Grand Canyon Village to have lunch, then, took the tram to the Visitor Center, but, then walked back to the car. We lucked out finding another parking lot up near where all the hotels are located. The only time you have to take the tram is if you want to visit the westernmost viewpoints, as no cars are allowed out there in the summer.
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