Another Sizzlin Day Outside Phoenix

Today we hit a trail early before the triple digits took hold. It was a loop of several trails at Silly Mountain Park. The trail climbed to the summit of several smaller mountains and took in a bunch of desertscapes. Then we chilled out in the RV until sunset. Dinner was at a local Chinese Restaurant (Good Buddy had craving).

High Point of High Point Trail.

Lichen decorating the stones near the trail.

False advertising. We were about half way around the loop 

This catci has seen better days.

Rosie being tired...cause she is a dog.

Standing on the Corner...

We said goodbye to the Grand Canyon and now are in the infamous Winslow, AZ (again!) Actually, we landed at the Homolovi State Park just outside the city. 

Houdini refusing to move when we gathered the bedding for laundry day.

Meditation Temple outside the Grand Canyon.

Not sure what this was. We speculate it was a Native American themed roadside motel (on Route 40 aka Route 66).

Mega Hike!

On our last day at the Grand Canyon, we tackled the Bright Angel Trail. 2,100 ft elevation and 3 miles down and then back up again. This trail seemed easier than the South Kaibab Trail. Maybe the switchbacks were not as steep. After the trail, we sampled some fudge at the Maswik Lodge in the park (and bought some -- yum). For sunset, we rode our bikes over to the rim and caught the last rays of the sun, and the moonrise over the canyon. 

Deer joining the campground for breakfast.

Just starting down into the canyon.

One of two tunnels carved for the trail.

The other tunnel...

The cliffs above the trail were quite austere.

Mother Trucker loves rocks.

Mule tour passing us. Peeee-uuuu!

The view at 3 miles.

Half way back up.

Bighorn sheep making an appearance.

Finished it!

Grand Sunset!

Moonrise over the Canyon.

Got Canyons?

Today we switched it up by driving over to the East side of the park. There were several overlooks with unique vistas into the Canyon. Then it was out of the park and over to the town of Tusayan for some free wifi- thank you IMAX Visitor Center for the fast free wifi. We got some bills paid and tried some pasta from the infamous "We Cook Pizza and Pasta." They charge an arm and a leg for said food as well. Then it was over to the West side of the park. We took the park shuttle to several overlooks before heading back for the day.

Good Buddy met a buddy.

Whoops! Now she sees the sign.

More canyon views.

Gerald greeting people at the shuttle bus stop.

The end of the shuttle route is an old hotel designed by a Mary Coulter.

Deer at happy hour near the Grand Canyon Village.

Day Trip to the Ellusive North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is visited far less than the South Rim. It is closed during Fall, Winter, and Spring. Thus, being only 2 1/2 hrs away, we had to check it out. The North Rim was a different kind of beauty to the quintessential pictures of the Grand Canyon. There are lots of forests, meadows, and yes... canyons. The elevation is much higher too, making for cooler day temperatures. We checked out a number of scenic views of the canyons but didn't have time to do any serious hiking.  The journey to the Grand Canyon was scenic in itself. 

We passed the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument area, which is striking. After a long day in the car, we checked out El Tapitio in Page for some delicious eats and ridiculous Margarita.

P.S. Cell service and wifi is REALLY spotty for us for at least the next week. Posts and texts might be delayed.

The Glen Canyon Dam holds the water in at Lake Powell where we are staying.

Headed through the cliff into the next canyon...

The Vermillion Cliffs.

Entering the Grand Canyon area, the forests are punctuated by brilliant yellow Aspen trees.

There are also many meadows driving through the park.

Canyon views near the visitor center.

The Easterly side of the North Rim was beautiful and very breezy.

The views from the highest elevation in the park.

This biker held up traffic to take photos while driving drive of the Vermillion Cliffs on our drive back.

This burrito was gigantic. And Mother Trucker finished it!