To whoever is not listening to the sea

A blog about our experiment in living a simple and itinerant lifestyle.

The Grand Canyon!

April 30, 2016 by Wendy Hirsch in Arizona

We'll visit the Grand Canyon a few times before we leave...after all, it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Curt will hike to the bottom and stay overnight. We'll also camp with Rufus for a night. But on this first trip, Wendy and her parents focused on exploring the rim, from Desert's View in the east to Hermit's Rest in the west. We were there for 36 hours and got sun, rain, hail and snow...as well as a very thorough Ranger talk on geology. It's was well-rounded adventure!

Day One: Sun from Desert's View to the Grand Canyon Village

Watchtower Exterior, Desert's View. Designed by Mary Colter, the watchtower was inspired by various native building styles in the area.

Inside the Watchtower, Desert's View

Interior, Watchtower, Desert's View

Inside the Watchtower, Desert's View

The Canyon at Desert's View.  Close to this location, a mid-air plane collision led to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration in the early 1950s. — The Canyon at Desert's View. Close to this location, a mid-air plane collision led to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration in the early 1950s.

Moran Point...something odd happened with my filter here...but it's still a nice view!

Moran Point.

Lookout Studio in the Grand Canyon Village. Designed by Mary Colter.  It was built by the Sante Fe railroad in 1914 to compete with the Kolb brother's studio, which is down the 'block', also along the rim. — Lookout Studio in the Grand Canyon Village. Designed by Mary Colter. It was built by the Sante Fe railroad in 1914 to compete with the Kolb brother's studio, which is down the 'block', also along the rim.

Rocky Mountain Elk at the Maswik Lodge.  The park is replacing vegetation around many of the village buildings, as it attracts elk, who are habituated to people....but are still wild animals capable of charging.  Not a good combo for a pla… — Rocky Mountain Elk at the Maswik Lodge. The park is replacing vegetation around many of the village buildings, as it attracts elk, who are habituated to people....but are still wild animals capable of charging. Not a good combo for a place that gets 5 million visitors a year.

Day One: Sunset at Yavapai Point!

Day Two: Rain, Fog, Snow and Hermit's Rest

The canyon's there...somewhere...

Hopi Point.  Note the people at right...10-15 people fall into the canyon each year. — Hopi Point. Note the people at right...10-15 people fall into the canyon each year.

Mojave Point, with a view of the Colorado River, at center.

Hermit's Rest

Hermit's Rest view.  Within a minute you couldn't see anything.  It was a 'now you see it now you don't' experience on our tour this morning. — Hermit's Rest view. Within a minute you couldn't see anything. It was a 'now you see it now you don't' experience on our tour this morning.

Good sports are always the best traveling companions!

Hiking Trails with Grand Canyon village at top left.