Our first look at the Northern Rim!

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Ash from the volcano

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The drive from Flagstaff to the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 300 miles and takes easily 5 hours. That's if you don't stop to admire the National Monuments along the way. We suggest you do take the time. As Cathy told us in Phoenix, they are worth it!

Our first stop along Highway 89 was the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This eruption took place about 1062 BC. Lava flows and cinders still look as fresh and rugged as the day they formed. But seeing how the trees and flowers have come back in places is the real joy. There will be a hillside or a plateau of black ash broken only by the jagged rock edges of the lava as it broke the surface. Then, like a misplaced toy, you will see a flowering plant. There are trees which grew and flourished only to die - or nearly die. Some part of the tree survived and began a whole new life from the dead trunk. All that in only 3000 years!

Anything to survive

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Not too much further up the park road we came to the Wupatki National Monument. This is a pueblo used by the ancient peoples who lived in this area soon after the Sunset Volcano blew. That event changed the landscape and enabled small farmers to live. It is a beautiful and eery place. I only wish the batteries in my camera hadn't died. It was a hot day and the walk to the car and back was unthinkable.

The next sight on our drive that day were the Vermilion Cliffs. Highway 89 takes you right by these amazing red cliffs that rise from the landscape like a giant's wall.

Then we were in the mountains and rising quickly. We passed beautiful peaceful meadows with grazing deer and areas of burned out forest. Suddenly we were in the park and along the left side of the road we could see canyon. We drove right up to the parking lot at Grand Canyon Lodge and stopped the car. Then, these two "seasoned" travelers jumped out and made for the edge. Following a footpath that provided peeks at the canyon through trees and shrubs, we kept walking until we could get a clear look. We followed signs toward "Bright Angel Point." It was too late (and we'd traveled too far down the trail) before we realized that we were on a hike. So, 8220' above sea level and with no water, we took the very steep up and down path out to the edge of the point.  All the time we thought, "We've got to get back up this hill."  The view was amazing, of course.  A man volunteered to take our picture as we stood on the outermost point. Our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon and it did not disappoint. We even made it back to the lodge after many rest stops and kicking ourselves in the butt for being so careless. That night we took advantage of a late cancelation and snagged one of the little cabins built in the 30's. We had a small porch and two huge bent wood rocking chairs to sit in while we sipped our cocktails. At sunset we walked to the rim and watched the sun go down. The canyon takes on so many rich colors in these few minutes that it's impossible to get the "best" picture.

Lava flow

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One final thought: Did you read "Brighty of the Grand Canyon" when you were a kid? It's about a mule that lived at the north rim and the book is based on a true story with real characters, including Brighty. The images and emotions that flood into your head when you are at a place like this cannot be edited. It's like Teddy Roosevelt said, ".  .  every American should visit this place."

Love to all,  pdb

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