First, thank you so much for reading the last blog. I am so sorry it was so long. When there is such good eats and fun sights in Tucson, what’s a girl to do??? I promise, this one will not be so long.
Before arriving at the Grand Canyon, we stopped for a few days in Apache Junction, just outside of Phoenix. My Aunt Marilyn (my mom’s sister) lives in Chandler (a suburb of Phoenix) and being that close, we wanted to spend time with her. About a year ago, she moved into an Independent Living Facility and has made lots of new friends. She is doing great for turning 89 this summer. Marilyn and her friends love to play games and I joined in on several games of Rummikub.
Our campground in Apache Junction was at the base of the Superstition Mountains. The mountains were spectacular. During our 3-day stay, Dave and I ventured out in the morning and spent the afternoon/early evening with Marilyn. In the mornings, we enjoyed several hiking trails nearby. While walking in the campground, Dave and I often spied Road Runners “running” across the campground road. I tried so hard to get a picture, but they were just too fast for me. So cute.
We also visited Goldfield Ghost Town, once a thriving gold mining town until the vein of gold dried up. Many of the structures built in the 1890’s are maintained including a saloon, church, schoolhouse, and of course the mines, which are open for tours. I sampled prickly pear fudge and yes, bought some to enjoy. The General Store made several varieties of fudge, but I was good (I know hard to believe), and I only bought the prickly pear.
Next stop: Grand Canyon. Oh boy! We were able to snag a highly coveted campsite within the park, which made getting around so much easier. Roger & Chris (from the last blog) suggested we enter the park from the east entrance as the line to get into the park from the south entrance is usually quite long. They were right! There was no wait. Right near the east entrance is the Desert View Watchtower, which we stopped for our first Grand Canyon view. I climbed to the top for a better view, but it was a bit overcast and drizzling. After reaching our campground and setting up, it started to rain and rain and rain. No more exploring for our first day.
Early the second day, Murphy and I walked through a nice pine forest to get to the Visitor’s Center and Mather Point on the south rim. It was still quite overcast, but amazing nonetheless. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After returning to the RV, the three of us walked to the Visitor’s Center and Mather Point (a little over a mile each way), so Dave could enjoy the view and I stopped in the Park Store to get my National Park passport book stamped. We have visited 26 out of the 63 National Parks so far. We will be adding several more to the list this year as we head up the west coast.
Roger & Chris (from Tucson) recommended the El Tovar’s fine dining restaurant for dinner. We had made reservations when we were in Tucson. El Tovar, perched on the Grand Canyon’s south rim, was built in 1905 as the premier hotel for travelers arriving by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway.
As we had only been hiking along the top of the south rim, it was time to venture down into the canyon. For those of you that have followed us for a while, know I am not very comfortable with heights. I put on my big girl hiking pants and Dave and I ventured down the Bright Angel trail (no doggies allowed…sorry Murphy) for a little over a mile, since we then had to hike back up (and get back to Murphy). It is 7 miles all the way down to the Colorado River. They say it is an average of a 10% grade. That’s pretty steep for a continuous uphill climb. The trail was a bit wider than I thought it would be, so I was fairly comfortable. We had 3 horses pass us and walked around a lot a mule dung, as the canyon offers mule rides into the canyon. The trail follows Bright Angel fault into the inner canyon and had been used for thousands of years based on the evidence of human occupation. It was improved in the late 1880’s for mining prospects and the National Park Service took it over in 1928. I wish we had longer and could have hiked further down, but it was fun nonetheless.
Oh…and as we were hiking back up, Dave noticed a lady taking a break wearing a Cape Canaveral visor. Guess where she lives? Satellite Beach, FL! That is where Dave and I called home for over 25 years. It is a small world!
Rain continued on and off for the rest of the day. I took a chance and road a shuttle bus to visit Yaki Point for another viewpoint. As I got on the return shuttle, the rain was threatening, so I stopped in the Visitor’s Center and watched a film on the indigenous tribes who once called the canyon their home.
The sun came out on our departure day, so Murphy and I walked to the rim to take some early morning pictures and say good-bye to this stunning natural wonder.
Our next stop is Lake Havasu, AZ as we head west towards California. Do you remember what famous landmark is found in Lake Havasu? I bet it will be my feature photo for the next blog.
Grand Canyon was most definitely grand, Photos do not do it justice Dave, I spent way too much time inside at this stop Murphy.
Go Murphy! Hoover dam next!
What lovely photos of the canyon. We were there many years ago with the grandkids. Just as we began to look at the canyon it started to snow and before you knew it, the canyon was invisible. So now I get to see its remarkable beauty! Murhhy is one lucky dog! love your blog!