Day 2 - Grand Canyon North Rim
We decided to “get the Grand Canyon out of the way” as soon as we arrived, which is kind of a bad way to think about one of the 7 Wonders of the World. But we really just wanted to get the longest driving day over with early.
Breakfast, of course, then hit the road early. It was about 2 hours’ drive to the park, (north Rim) through a lot of flat desert. Right prior to entering the park there were some beautiful green valleys, though; apparently it rains some near the canyon. Right after going thru the entrance we saw a small herd of bison off in the distance, across the field.
Breakfast, of course, then hit the road early. It was about 2 hours’ drive to the park, (north Rim) through a lot of flat desert. Right prior to entering the park there were some beautiful green valleys, though; apparently it rains some near the canyon. Right after going thru the entrance we saw a small herd of bison off in the distance, across the field.
First stop was the Visitor’s Center and the Lodge. The VC was pretty basic with some small exhibits. Girls walked a 200 yard road to the Lodge (with a main viewpoint) and I had to wait at the VC while the girls walked down to check it out. They tell me both the Lodge and view were very nice. The road was under construction that day.
Weather was great, about 80 or 85 and overcast. The North Rim is much less touristed and has fewer attractions and viewpoints than the South, so we hit them all. Really it was just first Cape Royal, where we had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the view, then 15 miles to Point Imperial where the girls saw the Wedding / Picnic area, and then took a stroll.
Weather was great, about 80 or 85 and overcast. The North Rim is much less touristed and has fewer attractions and viewpoints than the South, so we hit them all. Really it was just first Cape Royal, where we had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the view, then 15 miles to Point Imperial where the girls saw the Wedding / Picnic area, and then took a stroll.
There were some good pullouts along the road though, and we had some nice canyon views, though it was somewhat overcast. Jill recruited a probable Mormon guy from St. George to take our 2010 Christmas Card Photo and we had a nice conversation with him and his wife.
Hard to believe, as I told the guy, that I hiked to the bottom of the canyon 30 years ago with Alan! I’ve now been to the Canyon 4 or 5 times and it was fun to show it to Kristen.
It was a fairly long and boring drive of about 2+ hours back to Kanab, where Jill again made us dinner. We went to the pool down the street prior to dinner and were very disappointed that the water was very cold and needed a good skimming... not a good sign. We went to the smaller indoor pool; even though it was nicer water there was only a wooden bench and it was not very hangout-friendly. Hope they fix the outdoor pool water situation...
Day 3 >>>
