We had a great month-long visit with family in Oklahoma. However, we really wanted to get started on our Pacific Northwest Road Trip to see Jake and Kelsey. We spent part of the time back home looking at RVs and finally settled on a 21-foot Coachmen StarFlyte Camper Van. It is the perfect size – meaning mostly that I don’t want to drive anything bigger. We left on Sunday and spent the first night in Albuquerque. NM and the second night in the Grand Canyon National Park.
Can you spot us waving to Randall?
Lily looking good and staying hydrated.
Going into the park, we noticed the “Campground Full” signs. However, we were perfectly fine with boondocking in a parking lot. We asked the ranger at the entry gate if we could just overnight in the camper in a parking lot. She indicated that this was not allowed. However, we had plenty of time for a evening reconnaissance of the park so we went on in. We parked and unloaded the bikes and took off along the South Rim Greenway, hopping off now and then for the views.
We wear motorcycle helmets when we ride our bicycles because we are smokin’ fast. And it is what we happen to have lying around the barndo.
Usually she is threatened with getting thrown off the boat but it was good for a scream here too.
On the edge, waving hands wildly for the camera, is how many visitors actually fall.
The Grand Canyon is such a breathtaking spectacle. There are the vistas in the horizon of all the fascinating layers of earth history. But after you get a eye-full of the horizon, you muster the courage to timidly approach the edge to look down. Wow! Looking below you at a vertical drop of hundreds of feet makes your heart beat and your stomach lurch. Still, you have to do it. And you have to ponder falling. You also ponder flying but you ponder falling more vividly.
Some of us prefer to crawl to the edge. Don’t judge.
I’ve got you! I won’t let go. Yeah, I’m standing on a ledge. Still we wanted to see we could make Mamaw scream.
Randall looking for hiking paths to the Colorado. We both wanted to hike down but didn’t quite have the couple of days needed to hike in and out.
We loved biking the Rim and getting away from the crowds gathered at the most accessible overlooks. After an hour ride, we headed back to the camper. We noticed several campers blocked in for what looked to be an overnight stay in the parking lot. We decided to hang around and see if any rangers came around to clear us out. No one did so we spent the night right inside the park and got up early for another bike ride.
Biking the RIm.
Randall is saying it is a little jump to get to the overhang here. Lily and I are both yelling “No!! Don’t even joke us!!”
Lily in front of the South Rim map. We are skimming the map for showers but, nope, no showers at any of the campgrounds. I guess we will stay dirty.
After the morning bike ride, we headed to the Park’s east entrance exit so we could head north. We stopped for one more canyon view at the old stone watchtower. It was a old circular stone building with five floors and great views from all the windows. Here, we finally got a decent look at the Colorado river so far below.
The Watchtower
Lily and I posing at The Watchtower’s balcony.
Lots and lots of stairs but well worth it.
We headed to Arches National Park in Moab, UT from here. Pics tomorrow of our Arches excursion.
Loved it!!!! Glad you blogging again! Great pics!!