BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

Well, it was beginning to feel like the Arizona summer heat was here to stay for a while so it was time to pack up the motorhome and head out for another summer adventure.  After doing some projects on the motorhome, one being a new solar panel charging system and second, some mechanical fixes to the generator to get it in running order we hit the road on June 25^th. Our first stop in search for cooler weather was north of the Phoenix heat... North as in North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  After 5 hours of driving from Phoenix's 105F degree weather, we arrived at Jacob's Lake Store (AZ 89A) to unhitch the Jeep and scout for a camping site.  We weren’t disappointed.

As luck would have it we camped in the Kaibab National Forest just outside the GC National Park at the 8700 foot elevation in a site surrounded by aspen and fir trees and enjoyed 75F degree highs all week.

 

 

Our week started with first visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Our campsite was only 4 miles from the entrance – Score! During the drive within the park we encountered some large animals. No not elk or deer but BUFFALO!

 

 

 

 

 

Once at the North Rim Lodge area we hit the visitor's center to buy a postcard and get the National Park Stamp on it. Then we walked a couple of the overlooks near the lodge, Bright Angel and Transept.

 

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

 

 

After our picnic lunch it was on to the scenic view road within the park going out to Cape Royal, Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, Angels Window and the Walhalla Glades Puebloan home site along the way.

 

Point Imperial

 

Roosevelt Point

Walhalla overlook and

Walhalla ruins of natives from 800-1200AD that lived on the rim in the summer and fall and farmed in the bottom of the canyon in the winter and spring.

Angels Window at Cape Royal point



 

After enjoying a day within the National Park we had many overlooks outside the Park on our list to four-wheel to. So during the week we had fun driving our Jeep Rubicon over dirt roads to 10 or so various overlooks of the Grand Canyon and the surrounding canyons. We also ventured out on foot to get some exercise and get to those more secluded overlooks. So many trails so little time.

 

This lookout is the 3rd highest in AZ at 150 feet tall and is on the National Historic Lookout Register.
Yes we climbed to the top but was not allowed in the 7x10 platform area. But boy could we see over the forest.

 

Looking out to House Rock Ranch from Dog Point.

 



Looking east from East Rim Point along the AZ Trail

 

Distance if we were to hike the AZ Trail - maybe next time.

 

 

Looking north from Marble Point

 

Looking down Saddle Mountain Canyon

 

 

View from Crazy Jug Point

Along the way were numerous blooming plants and a surprising find of seashells. The seashells along with fossils of ancient clams, coral and sea lilies are found in the Kaibab Formation layer which is about 270 million years old which indicates that Grand Canyon was once a shallow sea. At most of the overlooks we were standing on the Kaibab Formation layer and the seashells were visible in many of the rocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 Everyday was a different lunch spot but usually had a beautiful view.

 

Lunch stop

 



This was our view. Look at the rock point near the base of the tree. We hiked to that edge.



This was the view from that edge looking across the Grand Canyon to the South rim.

We spent 8 days in this area and never ran out of things to see and do.  We even determined that there is so much more to do and another trip is on our list.

 

 

Sunset at Fire point

 

Campfire after sunset

 

 

Thank you for joining us.  Next up Kanab, Utah 4th of July celebrations.