The Grand Canyon

So many things in this world are simply known by a name, and when we hear it we don't think about what the name actually means. Well, when you walk up to the edge of this huge hole in the ground you KNOW what it's name means. It is, in a word, G R A N D.

The drive from Phoenix (elev. 1,100 ft) to the Grand Canyon (elev. 7,000 ft) was a long haul pulling a house behind a little ol' Ford F150. But Bessie made it, and at lunchtime we drove into the parking lot at the Visitor Center.

Then a short walk to the canyon rim, and... WOW!

This place is more than a mile deep (think four World Trade Centers stacked one atop the other!) and from 10 to 19 miles across. When I (Jack) was here last at age 14, the science of the time said the canyon was formed by erosion from the Colorado River. We were both a little surprised to learn that that is still basically true, although they know so much more now about the geology and formation of the canyon, which began more than two BILLION years ago. Evidently, that's long enough.

After a couple of hours near the visitor center we drove 25 miles east to a part of the canyon called Desert View. The canyon is less deep here, but every bit as beautiful. In the 1930's, a woman named Mary Colter, working with the Hopi indians, designed and built a beautiful 70-foot-tall tower called Desert View, as a meditation area and to showcase native American art and culture. Although it looks primitive, it actually has a high-tech metal superstructure, with natural rock and adobe facade. Colter insisted that not even a single tool mark remain visible anywhere.

You can climb to the top...and it is really special.

Desert View Watchtower

Best view of the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.

Gorgeous Native American artwork adorns the inside of the tower.

We were fortunate that it isn't high season, as we were able to enjoy this place without crowds.

Of course, there is lots of wildlife in the Canyon. Cougars, elk, deer...and SQUIRRELS!

In memory of Mandy, our dearly departed Squirrel-hound

As we drove north from Phoenix, we were amazed again and again at the beautiful skies. They are as blue as they are in these photos. The clouds change minute by minute, and are always breath-taking.