Wandering Retirees

North Rim Grand Canyon National Park

Off today to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. (Amazing pics provided.) All five of us piled in Bob and Val’s rental to make the 2-hour drive from Kanab. (You may have noticed we haven’t ridden the bike very much these past few days.) 
We arrived at the Park’s Visitor Center and got oriented fairly quickly. It was very cool, so layers were welcome. Pat was especially well prepared with fleece and parkas (yes, plural) and was so excited to get going with camera in hand. This was a lifetime dream that was coming true! The Park Rangers and other employees were kind and considerate as we made our way to the main lodge. And the splendor of that first view at over 8200 feet. Have I mentioned that the Canyon is a nautical mile deep, and 18 miles wide? The Bright Angel Trail that Connie and I walked to see the sunrise from the South Rim was visible as it traced its way toward the North Rim. So small from our vantage over 2,000 feet higher from the south. It gave Connie and me the determination to walk it together on our next visit. But I digress.

The lodge is magnificent, comfortable and provides a wonderful panorama, from the far rim nearly 20 miles away, to the brilliant outcropping and ledges within yards of where we stood. We all loved the spot. We think Pat wants to buy it and move in. It is less crowded and makes for a more intimate setting.

Most of us made our way to the Bright Angel Overlook that feels like an eagle’s aerie above sheer cliffs. The trail is short and often steep, and there are few guard rails to give one confidence. We took our lovely time, thank you. So worth the trip. The word of the day is majestic. Some youngsters passed us on their mountain jogs along the narrow path. Show-offs. But I digress. Again.

The weather warmed some, so we shed our outer layers. Some of us more than others. Later in the afternoon, we headed to an overlook not far away by car, called Point Imperial, which is the highest point in the Park at 8,803 feet and provides a 270 degree view of the Painted Desert to the north through the majority of the eastern arm of the Canyon. The instrument of the canyon’s creation, the Colorado River, isn’t directly visible from that spot. But you can see it’s impressive work. There’s a spire of white stone that thrusts up from a mesa directly in front of us called Mt Hayden that kept snagging my eye. Pat found herself a strategic spot to perch and just soaked it all in. We all fell in love. You would too, if you find a way to visit.

It’s remarkable how many visitors from other countries come to our National Parks. We met folks from the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, China, Belgium, Italy, and so many more. What do they know that so many Americans don’t? Teddy Roosevelt and Congress knew what they were doing by creating the National Park System. I, for one, really want our grandchildren to be able to get out to enjoy this immensely important national resource. (Shameless political plug here.)

Majestic is the word of the day. Pat is over the moon. And we each carried our special mental pictures and impressions as we drove back. A real day of memories. We’re having the time of our lives.

Tomorrow, Bryce Canyon.

Xxxx