On the road bright and early on a beautiful Arizona morning, our destination was the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This is a Janet bucket list location. For Tom, who had been there as child, not so much, but returning as an adult, he was excited to see it with older eyes. The crispness in the air required a long sleeve shirt, but the weatherman had forecasted temperatures rising all week. The South Rim is approximately a 2 ½ hour drive from Cornville.
The trip would take us through Flagstaff as we climbed to an elevation above 7000 ft.
The area has been in a drought for quite some time and there were high wind road signs warning of fire conditions the entire trip. However, the Arizona highway offered us sights that will be remembered for a long time. The road was lined with tall pines and trains that ran for miles as they climbed parallel beside us carrying thousands of containers that we could only guess what was inside.
Google maps was correct again to almost the minute on our arrival to the town of Tusayan. We had been advised to buy our entry tickets at the tourist information facility in town, vice the south entrance gate which you pass through to enter into the park. The folks in the information center were quick and efficient, but dropped the bombshell that on Friday the line to get into the park was three house long. She must have seen our eyes freak out because she quickly added that today the line does not appear long at all. The drive from Tusayan to the entrance is only a few miles, and as we got closer traffic began to slow down, and then stop.
The wait was only 15 or 20 minutes and once we cleared the gate, parking was no problem at all.
Before joining the masses heading down the South Rim Trail, we were pleased to see this sign for all those in the park. There were thousands of people already at the park at 10:30 AM and as the day went on the numbers would only grow. Social distancing was really not possible at many of the overlooks and hiking with a mask would stink. The good news on this day, everyone we saw in the park had been vaccinated!!??
Still being cautious even though we are vaccinated and outside we still did our best to avoid crowds on our journey.
When one walks out of the entrance area and catches their first glimpse of the Grand Canyon, it is a breathtaking moment. The views over the next couple of hours cannot be described, but best to be enjoyed by the photos.
With Tom’s fear of heights, climbing on the rocks was not an option. In fact, he was not comfortable watching other people do it! See the picture above… Who is on the inside of the railings not on the end? You got it! And the fools below made his feet sweat.
After a couple hours of following the path, it was time to go back. The really cool thing is that the National Park Service has a shuttle bus that takes hikers back to the parking lots. A short ¼ mile walk through trees took us to a parking lot with a bus stop.
We found a mother with four small children sitting on the bench in the bus stop shelter. Haggard and visibly tired she pointed to a sign and then said she made her husband walk back to get the car.
Janet checked out the sign and sure enough we would be forced to hike back to our car. Damn COVID, Tom muttered as we put one foot in front of us… once again. The walk really was not that bad and mostly in the shade. The weatherman was right – the temperatures were rising quickly.
Back at our vehicle we enjoyed a cold water and discussed what we had just experienced!
Leaving the Grand Canyon Village, we stayed in the park and headed to the East Entrance. park. The roads inside the park are very well maintained and there are numerous pull-off overlooks so one can continue to view one of nature’s treasures.
This short drive offered more of the same panoramic views, but from a totally different perspective. Arriving at the East Entrance, there was something noticeably different – a lack of people in the parking lot. A seventy-foot tower, known as the Desert View Watchtower, stands overlooking this portion of the Grand Canyon.
The tower was built in the early 1930s by Mary Colter who has been called architect of the southwest. Her work is noted for being historically inspired and blending with the surroundings. Unfortunately, the COVID germ had the tower closed to the public.
No matter, the views once again were stunning. In fact, the views from this vantage point were even more impressive than what we had seen in the morning.
It was while we were taking in the view below that we noticed a small monument with a plaque.
Just a few months before we both were born, one of the worst aircraft incidents in our country’s history occurred at 21,000 feet above this part of the canyon.
Two passenger liners leaving Los Angeles heading east had a mid-air collision and all were lost. For those interested, here is a link where more information can be found on this tragic event and how it changed modern aviation. Grand Canyon Mid-Air 1956
Suffice to say, standing there looking out over this vast area of rock laced with crevices and valleys, one knew there was no hope for survivors. We stood in silence just staring outward.
Our field trip to the Grand Canyon had come to an end on a somber note, and now it was time to point the car in the direction of Cornville. We decided to take a different route back and we were glad we did.
Gone were the tall pine trees and green landscape. The route down highway 89 headed to Flagstaff offered views of miles of nothing framed by snow cap mountains. It is extraordinary how radical the changes can be in just a few miles of separation.
Reaching Flagstaff, we decided to jump on Highway 89A vice the interstate. Mileage wise it would be shorter and much more scenic.
There were not many pictures taken on this stretch of the road because Tom was holding on to the steering wheel tightly and Janet was clutching on to whatever she could while pressing her feet firmly on the floor. It is never good when you see something like this on a map because you instinctively know the next mile is going to get hairy. It was quite a ride and probably the second most intense drive of our lives. (The Alps in a snow storm in August still rates number one)
Arriving back in Sedona, it was now pushing 5 pm and the trail mix for lunch had long disappeared. South of Sedona sitting on a ridge, we saw a restaurant Tom had read about. It offered great views with Latin inspired fare being offered. The parking lot was almost full and we took a moment to take in the beauty of the red rocks that now stood in front of us.
Before we could exit the parking lot to enter the restaurant a young bimbo covered in tattoos, who appeared to be wearing her prom dress while clutching a clip board and texting friends challenged us.
Totally calibrated by this teenage storm trooper we headed back to the car with the realization she had probably reached her zenith in the hospitality industry – "parking lot bitch" and that we would never grace their parking lot again.
Stopping by the grocery store we picked up two wonderful steaks and headed to the timeshare’s grills. A wonderful bottle of Arizona wine and our world was at peace. A day beauty and life long memories.
Ok...still laughing about the parking lot ...person!
ReplyDeletePerson is such a kind word ;)
Delete