Sunday, May 18, 2008

Grand Canyon

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Erwin and I made our second trip in three years to the Grand Canyon. During the first visit it rained and snowed. This time the temperature was perfect,in the 80’s.
On the trip up to the Canyon we went by Hwy 89 & 64. Our first stop was at the Colorado Gorge to see the Indian jewelry, pottery and arrows. The land was very arid and flat with no trees and gorges here and there. Most of it is Indian Reservation Land.P1020746P1020732 P1020739P1020734
When we arrived at the canyon, we stopped at the Lodge and had lunch and boarded the free shuttle bus to take us up the Hermitage Rest Trail. This is a part of the canyon accessible only by bus. I think on that day we were the only American’s visiting the park. It was also rather strange to realize that the park’s restaurants and gift shops are managed by a Chinese company. We took a few short hikes103_2891103_2894 P1020730
but time was short and we wanted to see as much as we could. P1020794
Watching the mules and hikers come up from the canyon floor was really something!
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These trips are booked sometimes as much as a year in advance.

At one time mining was allowed in the canyon. Can you imagine the fuss we tree huggers would create today if it was allowed?
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Our trip home was totally different than going. We came back to Flagstaff by Hwy 64, up and down mountains and through Aspen tree forests. It was gorgeous. One would never know that just over on the other side of the hill was the Grand Canyon.

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