Smokey decided we were eligible for lifetime senior pass.So we headed a bit south to explore our cultural heritage.And to see the iconic Pueblo Bonito.This was our first half price campsite now that we are of that distinguished age.Water is always an issue – such an interesting location that was chosen.Lucky we got to watch a spring storm roll in.It gave the walls and rocks another dimension of color to Pueblo Kin Keltso.Pueblo Kin Kletso is the start of a hike to top of mesa.A bit of a slot canyon hides the trailAllows you to look back down on Kin Kletso.And even see the river in the Chaco Canyon.View of Pueblo Bonito from top is outstanding.As is adjacent Pueblo Chetro Ketl.An appreciation of the magnitude of scale is had by walking through the ruins.And getting an interior perspective. Magnificent craftsmanship! Truly amazing to appreciate the amount of work.William Henry Jackson discovered this prehistoric stairway carved in the sandstone cliff when he was photographing this area in 1877. It is believed to be part of the Chaco Road system heading to the north.Is there really an end to the trail? How far do these roads travel?Guess it is time to head back to the Travato and make our way north…But first another hike down the valley to Pueblo Wijiji.
Revisiting Picketwire Canyon, we hiked to the Dinosaur Tracks again in Comanche National Grassland but didn’t stay at the same wonderful camp because of the threatening rain.
The site is looking more like this today than a desert, but we didn’t see any dinosaurs!
The Apache Plume was in bloom adding a bit of color to the landscape.
It is so neat to see these ruins and imagine the lives that were lived here.
In case you don’t look at the link to last’s years, this is another of the ruin on a hillside.
This little lizard came out to enjoy the sunshine.
Those are the sacred San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.
As always, Exit through the Gift Shop! Good thing we can not store much in the van.
Grand Canyon! We dispersed south of Tusayan on FR 302 and took the free NPS shuttle into the park – a 15 minute ride to the new visitor center (at least, we had not seen it before).
Some things never seem to change, like the Hopi House – wonderful Parkitecture!
We did not remember ever seeing the canyon this green. Looking down into Indian Gardens.
And this is the Bright Angle path I did oh so many years ago. WOW!
John Wesley Powell and his expedition – a very nice monument to these early explorers.
We took a ranger led history tour that showed us this heart placed in the wall by a CCC worker. One of the Harvey Girls he was sweet on looked at this part of the wall from her lodging window. Or maybe it was just for his love of the canyon.
Either way, I like that it is in front of the Lookout. Another very cool building. Further on is the Kolb Brothers Studio which has a great little museum about their contribution to tourism.
We took the shuttle bus to Yaki Point for sunset – worth the trip!
Incredible! We stayed on for a star program at the Visitor Center before catching the 9:00 bus back to Tusayan.
Early morning drive to Desert View side of the canyon.
Very peaceful morning.
Nice displays telling about the history like this one about Thomas Moran. He created his own interpretations to make the most of nature.
You can see more of the Colorado River from this eastern end of the south rim.
There are some rafters going around the bend.
Can you see them now?
Desert View Watchtower by Mary Ann Colter is another one of her fabulous parkitecture sites.
Just fun to photograph and appreciate.
I thought I would give you a sense of the scale of the detail.
This is a great viewing deck on the roof of the lower round building.
A fellow traveler took our picture.
We stayed at the campground two nights in site #42 and were able to walk over for some great sunsets.
A few of the cool sunset pictures over the canyon.
A storm was moving in so the virga gave an interesting element to the sunset.
Nice the sun went behind the cloud so you can see more of the Grand Canyon.
The north rim is getting the storm. We did have a snow shower in the afternoon but it did not stick.
Looking in the black mirror inside the Desert View Watch Tower for a polarized look of the canyon. This was a technique to sketch the canyon.
Another sunset with a spectacular vista.
Very interesting light to see the canyon in shades of blue.
A perfectly clear quiet morning for our departure and final view of the south rim.
We were on the road in the rain on New Year’s Day leaving Green Valley in the rear view mirror. Glad we had packed the van the day before! We arrived in Organ Pipe Cactus with some nice low clouds but the sun shining on us.
We picked a great site a bit further south than last year’s but an auspicious number….maybe?
Meeting up with our full time RV friends to start the New Year on the right foot! We toasted with champagne and had a mini-quiche happy hour after a pleasant stroll around the campground.
We had a gourmet meal of crab cakes from the professional chef – graduate of Cordon Blu Pasadena! Followed with a cheese platter and port. I am intimidated but the next day, we fixed our Spanish Bean Soup with fresh baked rolls in the convection oven which was well received by all. Whew!
A drive around Ajo Mountain and a hike to the arches. Who is blogging about who?
Looking good coming up the mountain trail.
The guys ready to tackle the arch.
It is necessary to walk back down on the other side to see this view of the arch.
It doesn’t seem this large – the distance is so deceiving.
Back in time for wine o’clock on the picnic table.
We all piled into Bill – a 4-wheel drive Ram pickup truck – to explore an area we had never been. On the Mexican border, the western side of the park.
The rare little pupfish were in this pond – quite a surprise that it was so large.
Wouldn’t you like to know Jose’s story of how he got from Brest, France to here and why?
