Mar
18
2011

Grand Canyon

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosFriday, March 18, 2011 - 07:32:24 pm
(Posted Under: Travel, This Desert Life This Desert Life)
Great day at the Grand Canyon. Got out on the road by

Photobox ImageThe snow capped mountains on the way into Flagstaff were pretty impressive. We hit Flagstaff around 11, and stopped in town for gas and a few supplies before hitting the road again. Not before getting turned around and having to backtrack through the city to get back to the I180. Which was actually fine with me, seeing more of Flagstaff was cool.

From there, we made another shot stop where the 180 meets the 64, across from the Flintstones Bedrock Campground & Amusement Park. A bathroom break was needed, and hell, neither Katie nor I will pass up an opportunity to check out a travel plaza on the road. Even when the day is slipping away. [wink] We made it to the Canyon by 1:30, which was a little later than we'd planned on, but that was okay.

Photobox ImageDespite it being a month earlier in the year, hence still winter rather than spring, it was thankfully not as cold at the canyon as the first time we came. That was a major coop, and in that way made the experience a bit more comfortable than April 2005. If for nothing else, Katie didn't have to keep running back to the car. Definitely appreciated.

Photobox ImageDid the whole Martha's Point walk again, before driving out to Grand Canyon Village. With the intention of taking the shuttle to Hermit's Rest, to the west, a section of the south rim we haven't yet done. Given the time and the fact that it was a 75 minute round trip, we decided that it would be feasible if we wanted to also hit the east end of the south rim before sundown. A shame, because it'd be really good to do that. Next time around we need to stay overnight (at least) by the canyon and do that.

Photobox ImageStopped off at the gift store. Katie found this awesome glass box with a kokopeli and a saguaro presented it to me as something I needed. And she was right. After browsing, and checking the cafe to and determining there was nothing we wanted to eat, despite the hunger, and headed back to the car and headed out to east down Desert View. The trip out to the watchtower was longer than I remembered, but we made it out there while the sun was still out.

Photobox ImageThere seemed to be more accessible floors than I remembered. Maybe they were closed last time. Or maybe we just didn't have time. Either way, it was cool doing that this time. As it was to go out on the lower level roof. Again, something we didn't do last time. Weird.

Photobox ImageCertainly a good opportunity for photos up there. Trying out the 55-200mm lens blew me away taking the photo of the Colorado River. Holy crap, that's some zoomage right there. As always, so glad that I got that lens. Although we didn't quite hang out until sunset, pre sunset made for some cool photos.

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