After four magnificent nights just outside Zion, we bid farewell this morning. But as we were in no hurry, we took time to enjoy coffee and breakfast outside and allowed ourselves one more chance to take in the beauty. Our destination – the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
The route we would take today was rather circuitous. We headed south out of the canyon, then west, then southeast, then south. Even though our destination was nearly due southeast of Zion, there are simply few accessible roads. So, we took the long way around.
The first hour and a half of the 3-hour drive was desolate, with broad open plains to the south and low, flat mesas to the north. Very little color other than the greenish sage and beige scrub that covers much of southern Utah and northern Arizona. It’s fantastic in its breath but not exactly beaitiful.
After a fuel stop and driver change, the road turned due south. Not long after, we began to climb out of the plains and into the higher elevation home of Kaibab National Forest. What a change! We quickly entered dense stands of evergreen, interrupted here and there by stands of tall, pure white Aspen. The road followed along sort of a narrow valley that reminded both of us of the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone. Without the bison. Or the river. Or the bear. Or Wolfes.
Okay, it LOOKED like Hayden Valley, isn’t that enough?
Finally we entered Grand Canyon National Park. Today is the first day the entire north rim is open this season. Sorry, but no Tribe opener can beat this. When we opened the doors to get our park entrance photo, we were struck by the smell of pine and fir, something we haven’t had in the a long time on this trip. It was heavenly.
Our home tonight and tomorrow night is the North Rim Campground, inside the national park. We can actually see the canyon from our spot. If we got any closer we’d be at the bottom. We are completely surrounded by huge pines and we love it.
Since this campground is primitive (no water or electric) setup was a breeze. We walked the Needy Bichon, gave her a “calming” treat, and headed down the mile long trail to the lodge and visitor’s center. The path lead along the canyon rim, providing us sensational views along with the way.
This canyon isn’t just big, it’s grand.
I told Karen I was going to use that dumb joke 100 times during our visit, so I figured I’d punish you, the reader, as well.
We did our obligatory gift shop stop (which contains mostly the same items as in other national parks with a logo change), then ran into the most wonderful part of the entire complex. The Roughrider Saloon. As there were bar stools open and my watch read “beer-o-clock”, we pushed though the batwing doors and sidled up to the bar.
There were no batwing doors and I’m not even sure how to sidle.
Me and my now beer-drinking Karen decided on an exceedingly manly Prickly Pear Wheat Ale. Just the thing to knock the dust of rustling cattle from our throats. And by cattle I mean Daisy.
The beer was very good and the service even better. Plus it was such a fun atmosphere! We went back and forth about having a second round but decided against. Neither of us relished the thought of walking that trail back after a couple beers.
Instead, we got our passport stamped at the visitor’s center and returned to Livvy. We had a really great dinner that we brought along and are now relaxing in the pure silence. After the hubbub of Springdale, this is a blessed change. Tomorrow we explore! Oh, and I will add more photos to this post as well.
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