Grand Canyon

This is Bright Angel trail which takes you to the canyon which is almost a mile deep. You cannot hike down and back up in a day - it takes too much water, strength and stamina and the park suggests two days at least. You can stay at Phantom Canyon at the bottom. You can also take a mule ride down and then back up the next day.

I am still learning how to use this program so nothing is in order here! Upon arrival at the park, we saw a desert pig-havlina, I believe. We went up the four flights of the watchtower, designed by Mary Coulter, to see the Grand Canyon for the first time. We then visited Tusayan Ruins, the westernmost village of Anasazi. The photo is the remaining part of their kiva. They grew corn, ate the native animals and plants and built cisterns for water. Very intelligent people.

We have gone to many ranger talks which we love. Today, the desert plants spoke to us! Junipers with parasite mistletoe, pinyon pine which gives us pine nuts, ponderosa pine, rabbit brush, barberry, and fern plants. Small leaves on all to survive this harsh climate. Animals we have seen include elk, deer, rock chipmunks, ravens, and today we saw a condor soaring in the sky!!!!! 73 here now.

Oh my, such an amazing place. On to Phoenix.

Coral Sands State Park, Utah

What a pleasant surprise! We randomly decided that on our way to the Grand Canyon we would stop at Coral Sands State Park. You pay $16 for a nice campsite but NO hookups! But, in return, you walk on the sand and see this!!!! Our favorite place in southern Utah so far!!

The next blog will be at the Grand Canyon where we are now camped at Trailer Village (unique name???) We boarded a shuttle bus to Yavapai Point and walked to the Village Center (2 miles) along the rim. We walked down Angel Bright trail for aways. This afternoon we are doing one of my favorite things-IMAX! Then we will go out for a hamburger - a rare treat for travelers on a budget.

P.S. I remember, when in New York, walking at least 40 blocks to see the IMAX Mt. Everest film!

Capitol Reef National Park

Using Chris's gift of walking sticks, we hiked to

Hickman Bridge this morning-two miles round trip.

Capitol Reef is a 100 mile stretch of Wingate sandstone formations located in southern Utah. It is named "Capitol" because there are domes in the park that resemble the Capitol dome in Washington, D.C. The "reef" is coined that because it is a barrier.

The bighorn sheep walked right across the road while we were following the Scenic Drive.

We finished the day with my favorite activity: we hiked through Grand Wash. I love the washes in Borrego Springs and this was the most spectacular wash I've seen.

Now on to Grand Canyon!!!