NORTH RIM, GRAND CANYON 2015

Enjoyed the drive down to the North Rim from Bryce Canyon. It is a lovely rural drive through a couple of small towns. In Kanab we stocked up for breakfasts and snacks while at North Rim. I also tried to see Charlie at the Willow Canyon Outdoor Store, but he was not in town.

The drive South from there is a beautiful drive through some plateau country, ponderosa forests, and beautiful long meadows after we left  Jacob Lake. At the Jacob Lake Lodge we treated ourselves to their famous milkshakes. We were at North Rim by about 1300. We checked in with our various hosts – Ranger Gaelyn, and dining room server Sharon. We got an assessment of the drive to the Basin where we enjoyed a couple of hours photographing it’s show of wildflowers and meadows.

SCARLET GILIA/SKYROCKET

SILVERSTEM LUPINE

We then headed for Cape Royal for sunset with stops along the way at Vista Encatada, Roosevelt Point, Walhalla Overlook, and a dinner stop with a view at Wedding Point at Cape Royal. The sunset did not disappoint at Cape Royal. 

MT. HAYDEN from VISTA ENCATADA

BEARDLIP PENSTEMON AND CANYON DETAIL

VISHNU TEMPLE

ANGEL'S WINDOW

 The sunset did not disappoint at Cape Royal. 

WOTAN'S THRONE from WEDDING POINT

WOTAN'S THRONE AT SUNSET

CANYON AND SKY

COLORFUL CLOUD

The next morning we were off to Point Imperial for sunrise. It was quite overcast but we got some lovely “God Rays”, and dark and moody photos of Mt. Hayden. 

POINT IMPERIAL VIEW TO NORTH EAST

MT. HAYDEN

MT. HAYDEN WITH CANYON DETAIL

Back at the village we enjoyed our breakfast at the Rough Rider Coffee Saloon where I was able to visit with my friend Robert, the barista. Afterwards I took Mike and Lin to Bright Angel Point so they would have a feel for our sunset opportunities that afternoon. 

PINYON PINE OVERLOOKING B. A. TRAIL

PAINTBRUSH

Well, the afternoon got overcast and rainy. 

RAINY AFTERNOON AT THE CANYON

I was able to connect with a few friends, but also missed others who were probably taking advantage of their days off to go to town or hike out in the neighboring wilderness.There was no sunset to speak of, and much as we would like to have seen some lightning around the Canyon, it never happened. We enjoyed a late dinner in the dining room with my friend Sharon as our server.

Sharon invited us to breakfast in the morning so we could visit, and was willing to get up early as we had to drive all the way home today. Before our breakfast we were able to go out a ways on the Bright Angel Point Trail to capture some of the weather in the Canyon. The inversion makes for some truly different views of the Canyon which those of us who have worked there thoroughly enjoy. 

THROUGH NATURE'S WINDOW

CLOUDS IN THE CANYON

INDIAN PAINTBRUSH ON CANYON EDGE

We were on our way about 0830 for San Diego. It is about a 15 hour drive home. 

ARIZONA STRIP VIEW

GEOMETRIC ANT HILL

RURAL MAIL BOXES

TRACTOR WITH A VIEW

FARM LAND

We got through Las Vegas fine, but things changed as we headed South. We stopped in Primm for a rest break as the traffic was backing up. To get back onto I-15 was an act of negotiating a very busy and full parking lot and access to the highway. The traffic was very heavy as we headed South into California. We had heard of the fire along the grapevine the day before, but thought that could not have been the problem today. We turned off to bypass the traffic and go to Kelso and onto Fallbrook via Twentynine Palms. At Twentynine Palms we learned that there had been a severe rain storm and there was flooding along the route. We learned this while getting gas, and grabbing some sandwiches. Luckily by the time we had grabbed our sandwiches, the road we wished to use had been cleared and we were able to proceed. Finally in Fallbrook about 2130. I picked up my car and headed for home.

This two week adventure was full of wonderful experiences – new and old landscapes, magnificent mountains and wildflowers, and great traveling companions.