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10/26/2021 Drive day and this view out the windshield just hit me like a scene out of a movie. I am not sure what that movie is, but I feel like I recognize this and I LOVE it!
10/26/2021 Drive day and this view out the windshield just hit me like a scene out of a movie. I am not sure what that movie is, but I feel like I recognize this and I LOVE it!
Even the roadside stops for stretches, dog walks and snacks end up being pretty memorable.
Even the roadside stops for stretches, dog walks and snacks end up being pretty memorable.
We’ve returned to the Grand Canyon….but this time, we are NOT here on Thanksgiving AND we’ve threaded a narrow opportunity window that allows us to make it to the less visited North Rim. The North Rim is much harder to access because of its location and it’s not open year-round like the South Rim. We just got super lucky with a campground reservation at the VERY tail end of their season and we were going to be driving near-ish anyway, so yes, I am SUPER excited that the stars aligned and that this is a 1 minute walk from our front door……
We’ve returned to the Grand Canyon….but this time, we are NOT here on Thanksgiving AND we’ve threaded a narrow opportunity window that allows us to make it to the less visited North Rim. The North Rim is much harder to access because of its location and it’s not open year-round like the South Rim. We just got super lucky with a campground reservation at the VERY tail end of their season and we were going to be driving near-ish anyway, so yes, I am SUPER excited that the stars aligned and that this is a 1 minute walk from our front door……
Grace likes to let the local wildlife know that we have arrived.
Grace likes to let the local wildlife know that we have arrived.
It was cold, but staying for the sunset was 100% worth it.
It was cold, but staying for the sunset was 100% worth it.
10/27/2021 The iconic view point at the North Rim is Bright Angel Point.
10/27/2021 The iconic view point at the North Rim is Bright Angel Point.
Grant has little….errr, ZERO interest in making his way to the top of the rock, but the view isn’t bad from where he sits.
Grant has little….errr, ZERO interest in making his way to the top of the rock, but the view isn’t bad from where he sits.
Girls are gross or sisters are gross? We’re still not sure!
Girls are gross or sisters are gross? We’re still not sure!
I still can’t get over just how many Post Offices there are at National Parks.
I still can’t get over just how many Post Offices there are at National Parks.
“Roosevelt Point” overlook and Grant is a tad skeptical that it’s a safe place to be.
“Roosevelt Point” overlook and Grant is a tad skeptical that it’s a safe place to be.
….and Grace now presents you with.....The Grand Canyon!
….and Grace now presents you with.....The Grand Canyon!
Angel’s Window with the Colorado River viewable through the “Window”. (Special credit to Val, who saw me taking pictures of this feature and then informed me that if I moved to where she was standing, I’d get the river though the window)
Angel’s Window with the Colorado River viewable through the “Window”. (Special credit to Val, who saw me taking pictures of this feature and then informed me that if I moved to where she was standing, I’d get the river though the window)
The view from the top of Angel’s Window.
The view from the top of Angel’s Window.
Grace and Dylan have found an interesting place to view the canyon from what is called “Cape Royal”. I must join them as this looks to be interesting!
Grace and Dylan have found an interesting place to view the canyon from what is called “Cape Royal”. I must join them as this looks to be interesting!
For me, one of the things that makes the North Rim a tad more “special” is the access. My experiences to date has me believing that this kind of stuff just isn’t possible at the South Rim. I’m not saying that you have to be able to risk life and limb to make the experience more exciting or “special”, but I appreciate the fact that it’s an option.
For me, one of the things that makes the North Rim a tad more “special” is the access. My experiences to date has me believing that this kind of stuff just isn’t possible at the South Rim. I’m not saying that you have to be able to risk life and limb to make the experience more exciting or “special”, but I appreciate the fact that it’s an option.
Back at the campground, Bear got the chance to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory.
Back at the campground, Bear got the chance to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory.
10/28/2021 On the move from the North Rim and our eventual goal is Tucson (AZ) but that’s what we’d call too much seat time for one day. So, we stopped around the midpoint for an overnight stay in a small AZ State Park. I’m beginning to think that I am *actually* into bugs, but I thought this guy was really cool!
10/28/2021 On the move from the North Rim and our eventual goal is Tucson (AZ) but that’s what we’d call too much seat time for one day. So, we stopped around the midpoint for an overnight stay in a small AZ State Park. I’m beginning to think that I am *actually* into bugs, but I thought this guy was really cool!
10/29/2021 This mid-point stop on the way to Tucson also gave us the opportunity to enjoy another one of the great location in our National Park system, Montezuma Castle National Monument. This is a small, but well-done park that highlights this pretty amazing Native American dwelling built into the cliff wall.
10/29/2021 This mid-point stop on the way to Tucson also gave us the opportunity to enjoy another one of the great location in our National Park system, Montezuma Castle National Monument. This is a small, but well-done park that highlights this pretty amazing Native American dwelling built into the cliff wall.
….and lots of native plant life that we don’t get to see in other other places.
….and lots of native plant life that we don’t get to see in other other places.
10/29/2021 We’ve arrived at our new campsite that will be “home” for the next couple weeks. This is a “Hipcamp” site in the middle of desert. Never heard of Hipcamp? Think of it like an Air B&B (or VRBO) for a place to park your RV. They are just regular ole’ folks who offer up a place to park for a fee. So, instead of being in a campground with a bunch of other campers, you’re basically in someone’s driveway (or somewhere on their property). This is our second time using Hipcamp and so far, we’ve been super pleased with the results.
10/29/2021 We’ve arrived at our new campsite that will be “home” for the next couple weeks. This is a “Hipcamp” site in the middle of desert. Never heard of Hipcamp? Think of it like an Air B&B (or VRBO) for a place to park your RV. They are just regular ole’ folks who offer up a place to park for a fee. So, instead of being in a campground with a bunch of other campers, you’re basically in someone’s driveway (or somewhere on their property). This is our second time using Hipcamp and so far, we’ve been super pleased with the results.
11/3/2021 Saguaro National Park. The word “Forest” takes on a new meaning here!
11/3/2021 Saguaro National Park. The word “Forest” takes on a new meaning here!
Another _CRAZY_ visitor to the park brought their pet along and provided us with some entertainment.
Another _CRAZY_ visitor to the park brought their pet along and provided us with some entertainment.
Grant has awakened the inner beast in this one!
Grant has awakened the inner beast in this one!
11/05/2021 The International Wildlife Museum. This museum is quite unlike any other we’ve seen to date. Completely dedicated to the education of wildlife throughout the world through real taxidermized animal.
11/05/2021 The International Wildlife Museum. This museum is quite unlike any other we’ve seen to date. Completely dedicated to the education of wildlife throughout the world through real taxidermized animal.
How often do you get to take a selfie with a real tiger?!
How often do you get to take a selfie with a real tiger?!
Here's a good size comparison for bears. On the right are the bears that we get back home in Colorado that love to root through our trash. We have a "special relationship that involves me yelling at them and chasing them off with an air horn. On the left are grizzly and polar bears and they can have whatever they want without any interference from me!
Here's a good size comparison for bears. On the right are the bears that we get back home in Colorado that love to root through our trash. We have a "special relationship that involves me yelling at them and chasing them off with an air horn. On the left are grizzly and polar bears and they can have whatever they want without any interference from me!
Baby Javelina are about as cute as it gets, which seems strange considering what the adults look like.
Baby Javelina are about as cute as it gets, which seems strange considering what the adults look like.
11/7/2021 Here’s something you may have figured out by now, I love flying machines. I like to look at them, I like to fly in them and I like to watch them fly. We just happened to be in Tucson at the exact same time as the Tucson Air Show (yes, it was a coincidence). The big news is that Grant’s FAVORITE flying machine that is piloted by one of his favorite people is here; The Red Bull Helicopter and it’s pilot, Aaron Fitzgerald. Aaron has opened up his heart to Grant in past and he’s done it again here. .We are allowed rare “back stage” access to him, the helicopter and the hanger they are using.
11/7/2021 Here’s something you may have figured out by now, I love flying machines. I like to look at them, I like to fly in them and I like to watch them fly. We just happened to be in Tucson at the exact same time as the Tucson Air Show (yes, it was a coincidence). The big news is that Grant’s FAVORITE flying machine that is piloted by one of his favorite people is here; The Red Bull Helicopter and it’s pilot, Aaron Fitzgerald. Aaron has opened up his heart to Grant in past and he’s done it again here. .We are allowed rare “back stage” access to him, the helicopter and the hanger they are using.
11/12/2021 Tumacácori National Historical Park. This well-preserved Franciscan era missionary was a great place to spend the day. As park and walk into the site, the garden out front was teaming with a wide array of butterflies. There were so many of them, that if you just stopped and used your peripheral vision to view the garden, it almost look “alive”! It was non-stop movement from all angles.
11/12/2021 Tumacácori National Historical Park. This well-preserved Franciscan era missionary was a great place to spend the day. As park and walk into the site, the garden out front was teaming with a wide array of butterflies. There were so many of them, that if you just stopped and used your peripheral vision to view the garden, it almost look “alive”! It was non-stop movement from all angles.
The courtyard inside the site seemed like such a departure from the surrounding desert landscape. Almost like an oasis of sorts.
The courtyard inside the site seemed like such a departure from the surrounding desert landscape. Almost like an oasis of sorts.
There is a lovely and easy walk down to the river they would have used for survival hundreds of years ago.
There is a lovely and easy walk down to the river they would have used for survival hundreds of years ago.
More winged wildlife is found in the form of this red damselfly……which had VERY little interest in being photographed! (I really need better optics)
More winged wildlife is found in the form of this red damselfly……which had VERY little interest in being photographed! (I really need better optics)
Meanwhile, back at the Mission, more photo bombs have been reported!
Meanwhile, back at the Mission, more photo bombs have been reported!
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