Saturday, March 21, 2015

HAD OURSELVES A FINE DAY AT THE GRAND CANYON’S SOUTH RIM:))

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How nice last night not to have big rumbling & horn honking trains going past close by.  Bonus.  Hadn’t occurred to us Thursday that night time temps could dip low enough to freeze the water in our outside hose but freeze it they did.  Not enough to break anything but enough that we had no hot water to wash our little faces this morning.  Been many years since we have had water freeze at the outside tap but it was something we always had to be aware of when ranch sitting in the higher elevations of southeastern Arizona years ago.

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 DSC_0086In my Thursday post I had a number of aircraft at the Valle Air Museum I couldn’t identify but for anyone interested in knowing what some of those planes are I suggest you read Tom's comment in the comment section at the end of Thursday’s post.  He even knew what type of plane those big engines belonged too.  Now there’s a guy who knows his aircraft.  I also forgot to include the cockpit photo of the F86 Sabre jet so these 2 photos are for you Wandering Willy:))

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Had to start up the Jeep in order to melt this morning’s frost on all the windows & by the time we were back from our walk we were ready to go.  Slight change of plans though.  Decided not to do the bus rides as previously planned for the simple fact doggies are not allowed to ride & we knew Phoebe really wanted to come along today so with the happy little Pheeber Buns snugly tucked in the back seat we were on the road headed north by 7:45.

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Less than half an hour later we arrived at the Grand Canyon’s south gate & luckily only one car ahead of us.  Kelly being American/Canadian she had an ‘America The Beautiful’ pass so that meant we entered free.  It was at the Grand Canyon’s east gate back in late 2008 she bought that Pass when we entered the Park.

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Having been to the Canyon’s south rim before we had an idea where we were going & headed straight for Bright Angel Point to get our bearings.  I didn’t want to repeat photos from 2008 so we didn’t stop at the El Tovar Lodge etc.  We did however walk west along the Canyon rim.  By the way it was a clear blue sky overhead with morning sunshine pushing diminishing shadows across the Canyon floor & walls.

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A MULE TOUR HEADING DOWN BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL

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BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL MAKES IT’S WAY TO THE CANYON’S BOTTOM

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HISTORIC BUILDINGS KOLB STUDIO ON LEFT & HOPI HOUSE ON RIGHT

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EL TOVAR HOTEL ON THE CANYON RIM TOP RIGHT

We were fortunate not to have the hordes of people which flock to the Canyon during warmer months & by arriving early we were spared any real crowding.  Watching hikers & people walking far below on the Bright Angel trail brought home to me the thought again of how important it is to get out & do things while one’s health still enables them to do so.  There was a time & not long ago both Kelly & I could have been those people on that trail far below. 

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I’M THINKING THAT MIGHT BE A WASHROOM ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL BELOW

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It was in this area we encountered a rather amusing clown like character.  Very animated Oriental fellow & had a friend along photographing & videoing him.  Added some colorful moments & he liked the Pheebs.   

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PHEEBERS HAMS IT UP WITH THE CLOWN

One of the great things about the Grand Canyon’s south rim is it’s easy walking trail leading along the rim’s edge for miles & miles.  There are popular viewing points along the way which attracts many people but in effect the whole miles long trail is just one continuous view point.

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From the Bright Angel Trail area we were back into the Jeep & headed in an easterly direction to areas we hadn’t been to before.  Roads within the Park twist & wind around making directions confusing at times but we did manage to make our way over towards the Canyon’s Visitor Center where we had not been before.  This area had the greatest concentration of people & it is here where can be found the south rim’s most popular viewpoint.  If you have came to the Grand Canyon by bus at some point Mather Point is most likely the place you first saw the Grand Canyon.  It’s Spring Break for college students & they were here by the busload.  And making all kinds of noise I may add.

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MATHER POINT ATTRACTS THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE & TODAY IT WAS A VERY NOISY & ANIMATED CROWD OF SPRING BREAKERS…HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BRAVE THE NOISE IF I WANTED TO SEE THE VIEW…EVEN PHEEBS DIDN’T LIKE ALL THE COMMOTION

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MATHER POINT

I barely lasted 5 minutes at Mather Point but did manage a few photos.  Kelly walked Phoebe down amongst the throng of teens but Pheebs was visibly afraid of all the hooting & hollering teens are prone to do.

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It is always difficult for me when confronted with natures marvelous scenic wonders not to take a whole host of photos.  I see beauty everywhere & at the end of the day when faced with well over a hundred pictures it’s a real challenge for me to choose which photos to post to my blog.  Always a toughie every night deciding which ones make the blog & which ones end up on the cutting room floor.

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We have noticed wherever we go people just seem to be attracted to the Pheebs.  People stop to pet & talk to her.  Children are drawn to her & today a small boy after stopping to pet Pheebs cried when his Mother said it was time to go.  In this photo the boys Mother too had to coax the young lads away.  They just wanted to stay & pet the Pheebs.  And the Pheebs wanted them to stay too:))

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I have always enjoyed taking candid pictures of people & today was no exception as we walked along the Canyon rim.  Between photos of the Canyon itself my eye of course was habitually on the look-out for the human side of life as well.  People just being themselves.  Here are a few of my favorites………

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TWO OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS TODAY

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MANY SMILES, SELFIES, & PICTURE TAKING HERE AT THE GRAND CANYON TODAY

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This photo pretty well sums up how most everyone feels at seeing the Grand Canyon & especially for the first time.  Although this young girl had stepped over the safety fence at least it wasn’t a sheer drop off like in so many places.  Each year people die here at the Grand Canyon from falls.  I’m guessing most are young males & as we walked along today as well as the last time we were here we could easily see where foolishness so easily takes many lives & it is plain to see how things happen in the 2 photos I took below.

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IT IS THIS KIND OF FOOLISH STUPIDITY WHICH MAKES IT BAD FOR EVERYONE

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Pheebs sits patiently waiting for Mom to come out of that ‘Grab & Go’ place with some hopefully tasty snacks.  It is also the bicycle rental place here at the south rim.  Kelly did come out with 2 coffees & it was just a short walk to the Jeep where we had a sack of peanut butter sandwiches waiting.  Had some snacks in the Jeep for Pheebers as well.  From the Visitor Center parking lot we head farther east to the other side of the Park & stopped alongside the road at a picnic area for a short walk in a quiet Pine forest.  Reminded me of home in Bayfield.

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Decided at this point to turn around & begin making our way back to the rig.  We still had a few boondocking sites to scout out in case we decided to move closer to the Park Saturday morning.  On the way we stopped at the Yaki viewpoint.

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Headed south out of the Park to the little town of Tusayan.  Several fellow Bloggers had told us boondocking spots around the area so wanted to check them out.  Found one close to the southeast end of Tusayan but we could tell from the numerous fire pits in the area that it was not for us.  With the week-end upon us these types of sites are popular with the locals sometimes plus any area where another rig can park anywhere close to us is not acceptable.  Continued down highway 64 checking out some side roads & found a really super great spot in a Pine forest on road 306 east side about half a mile off the highway.  We would have grabbed it in a flash had it not been for one thing.  A recent area snowfall has left the ground soft especially in forested areas & we felt the ground was too soft for a heavy motorhome.  We decided not to take the chance & get ourselves stuck in a forest.  So with that it was back to the rig for a relaxing sunny & warm afternoon.

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We plan to roll out in the morning & head north up 64 to the Grand Canyon with the rig.  We may check out another boondocking spot or we may roll on through the Canyon & out the east side of the Park.  It’s the week-end & we know the Park will be crowded in this nicer weather.  However if we do come across a good acceptable boondocking site along the way we just may stop for another night in the area…… ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ:))

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( My brother was recently launched into the "real world" and, shocked by the expenses that came with it, he was complaining about the high cost of auto insurance.  "If you got married," teased my dad, "the premium would be lower."  He smiled and said, "Dad, that would be like buying an airline just to get free pretzels."

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A newspaper reporter was writing a feature story about prison life and was interviewing one of the prisoners. "Do you watch much television here?"  "Only the daytime shows," the inmate said. "At night we're locked in our cells and don't see any television."  "That's too bad," the reporter said, "But I do think it is nice that the warden lets you watch it in the daytime."  "What do you mean, nice?" the inmate said. "That's part of the punishment."

31 comments:

  1. Thanks for the canyon fix. I don't see any snow. So glad you took Pheebs along to get a little extra lovin'. You went at a good time of year, except for Spring break, as it's really a zoo in the summer. It is unfortunate that people, yes usually male 18-30, put themselves in such dangerous places along the rim. Makes me nervous seeing them. Wish I knew more about boondocking off the SR to make recommendations. Once you're on the reservation there's nothing.

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  2. Great photos once again, I remember the crowds when we were there a few years ago. Now I can't wait
    to go again.

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  3. At most parks the rangers tell you what to do and not do. But not at the Grand Canyon. I couldn't get over the people climbing over the fences to get closer to the edge. The lady that was driving the bus was telling us all kinds of horror stories.

    We met a man sitting on a wall near the hotel with his head bandaged up. He had been thrown from a raft. He was air lifted out of the canyon but he had to wait on his family to finish the rafting trip. I decided I didn't need to go white water rafting.

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  4. Your trip reminds me of our stay. At that time, we had no concept of boondocking. Now, that is our preferred way. Love your photos, as usual, especially the last one of the entire family! Have fun and be safe.

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  5. The people on the end of those points are beyond nuts..... Really nice pictures, and because you took them for me, I can keep driving east when I get to I 40....

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  6. Fantastic canyon photographs, love the deep colors. I knew you would capture the beauty. Thanks

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  7. We haven't been to the Canyon in a few years. Still looks awesome.

    Outstanding photos, Al. Great job!

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  8. Wonderful photos of the canyon and the people. Love the wizened face of the old woman and the joyful young one too. Tessa is a people magnet as well; she is always giving doggie fixes everywhere we go. Pheebs is so adorable, how could anyone resist? Great shot of the bunch!

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  9. You mentioned repeat photos from 2008... if you're thinking we readers would be bored, don't worry... speaking for myself, I'm lucky to remember what folks posted last week... but that way I get to enjoy everything for the first time all over again! I always enjoy your photos no matter when they're taken.

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  10. Beautiful photos of the canyon! We stayed there once in June and I remember how cold it was then...that was back in 1977, when we had our VW camper! We stayed in one of the campgrounds there at the canyon.

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  11. Your pictures are the BEST ! I really enjoyed the tour. Hope to visit some day soon. We have some wet snow here in Ontario today so enjoy the warmth while you can. Safe travels

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  12. Ditto! Your pix and selection of views are as good as any I've ever seen. We've never been there, but it looks like this would be a good time of year to go.

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  13. Love the last photo (all the photos) and am sure glad you guys had a great day!

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  14. It was as deep an impression as the canyon itself is deep, when I for the very first time stepped up to the rim way back in 1996. I took many pictures (still slides at the time) under a variety of different lighting. The ones taken at sunset turned out the best. I have since visited the G.C. several times later and it never ceases to amaze me.

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  15. We stayed in the full hook up campground at the South Rim for a full week. I couldn't get enough of the views each day. We liked the fact the bus came to the campground each day. Somehow my memories are of the beauty of the place, and not all the people. I guess I just ignore them and do my own thing. If you look Out into the canyon you only see the wonder. I did like the picture of the you g gal. She will remember this place far better in the future than any city she has to live in.

    Perhaps we should ban any foreigners from visiting our parks, even if they are married to Americans. You know I really don't mean that, but I do think everyone should see yhese places and it should be free for all, especially children and teens. They need to see in order to encourage them to support efforts to preserve.

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  16. Spectacular pictures of the Grand Canyon Al...I've only been there once (2 years ago) and seeing your pictures reminds me we need to return.

    I love the picture of you, Kelly and Pheebes!

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  17. Your photos are wonderful! Reminds us that even though we've been to the South Rim a couple times, we have yet to visit the North Rim.

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  18. I'll never forget my hike down the Bright Angel Trail when I was a senior in college. Packed a little tent and everything. Coming back up was a whole lot harder than going down. That's for sure! Too old and feeble to do it now days. ;)

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  19. The South Rim was wonderful and I'm so glad we went but the people there seemed noisier and stupider than the ones at the North Rim. I wonder how many of the accidents are from each side of the canyon. Just love that picture of you and Kelly and Pheebes. A real keeper. I've been waiting just hoping you could go to the Grand Canyon and take marvelous fantastic pictures. You did not disappoint. Thanks Al! They are just beautiful.

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  20. Gorgeous photos! You are right about stupid people! Can't believe they were out there sitting on the edge. You never know how secure those rock ledges are. One crack and you are gone! So glad Pheebs had lots of attention. I talk to all the dogs where ever we are especially if they want attention:) Love that final photo:)

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  21. Great pictures - sure makes us want to go back.

    arlonHboozer.com

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  22. as usual spectacular photos. one of my favorite places of all times. 1st time I was there we tent camped the first night..didnt realize how much the temperatures drop...thank goodness we had our husky with us and she curled up between us. next night we checked into a hotel..almost froze the night before.

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  23. Sounds like you had a pretty great day at the Canyon. Well, except for the noise at Mather Point. Must admit to feeling the pucker factor at seeing the pictures of the kids near the edge. Heights and I don't usually get along. My favorite pictures (except for the Phoebe ones) were at Yaki Viewpoint; been to the canyon a number of times and that is my favorite viewpoint.

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  24. Al
    there are some beautiful pictures there. Reminds me of the time I was @ the Grand Canyon with my Aunt & Uncle, and Cousin. My Aunt & Uncle are both gone now. I was 9 or 10 (1960 or 61) we were going to have breakfast one Saturday Morning, My Aunt made Oatmeal......You guessed it I would not eat it ! She made me sit there with that bowl of Oatmeal on the picnic table until I ate it. I sat there until well after breakfast time.
    When there were family gatherings where they always break out the home movies, my Uncle never let live that down.
    Cut to 2001, I called my Uncle on the Phone What he wanted for his 88th Birthday, He Said for me to Get my Amateur Radio Lic. And to eat a bowl of Oatmeal. I have photo's to prove that i ate the Oatmeal, and you can see I have my Amateur Radio Lic.
    Thank you for the great memory.
    W6PEA

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  25. You sure took some fantastic pictures. when I went back in 08 I didn't have a great camera. Must go back again. Thank you for sharing

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  26. The canyon is a great place to keep your spirits up. Those pictures sure made me feel better:)

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  27. Thanks for the beautiful photos. I have been to the Canyon a couple of times but your pics and descriptions just make me want to run back to Arizona and see it all again!

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  28. thanks for taking us back to that most spectacular spot...Our Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Jr. actually too the mule ride down to the bottom of the Canyon back in the 60's..He is now 91 and she is 99, and I never tire of listening to that story..!! I cannot imaging how scary that was!!!!

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  29. Forgot to mention what a great picture that is of you three...a framer for sure!!

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