Grand Canyon--North Rim

 

 

 

 

 

On this trip to the Grand Canyon we decided to try the north rim. The south rim is the one most celebrated and to which thousands of visitors flock every summer. There are more accommodations and resources for travelers on the south side, and though the south rim is only 10 miles across the canyon from the north rim, it took us most of a day to drive around the canyon.

We stayed in a log cabin that had no tv, internet, or air conditioning, and enjoyed it. The pace is slower and the visit is all about the outdoors--walking, observing, relaxing.

The Grand Lodge which sits on the edge of the canyon was rebuilt in 1937 after the first was destroyed by fire. We enjoyed breakfasts in the dining room which has great views of the canyon.

Roswell, NM

 

 

 

Roswell is in eastern New Mexico. Many tourists flock there to visit the UFO Museum and ponder the possibility that an extraterrestrial  vehicle crashed there in July 1947.

Robert Goddard, considered the father of modern rocketry, conducted much of his work in Roswell, and a statue that includes his original rocket frame is there.

female wood duck

Every morning I hurry to the pond to see if there are any waders or migrating peeps that have arrived during the last day and night. Mostly there has been nothing, but I was surprised to see a female wood duck swim slowly from the pond edge and carefully watch me the whole time I was there this morning. Does she have young? It could be, since wood ducks usually take off the moment they see me approach. With recent rains the edges of the pond have sprouted dense grass cover that would favor hiding places for tiny ducks.

Navajo Hogans

 

 

 

 

The hogan is the traditional home of the Navajo people. Primarily built of logs and packed with mud on the outside, it is energy efficient.

It is rarely used as a home now, but the hogan is considered a sacred space, and a revival is underway to keep them in the culture.

monument valley

 

 

 

 

 

Scores of movies --westerns and dramas --have been filmed in this region of eastern Utah and the Four Corners area.

Towering sandstone buttes and columns rise from the valley floor making for dramatic backdrops in some of the classic films such as Stagecoach and the Indiana Jones epics.
It was hard to believe I was standing in the same place where my childhood cowboy heroes had chased Indians and bank robbers across fantasy landscapes.

a few random photos from home

 

 

 

 

Most mornings start with a walk around my place. Usually I carry my small camera or take photos with my phone.

 The first photo I took before dawn on July 5th when Jupiter, Venus and Aldebaran were clustered in the predawn eastern sky. Perhaps Aldebaran is not visible in blogger, but it is near the bottom and has a reddish/golden color to it. I took this with my point and shoot camera, and so I am pleased that any of it actually showed up.

Our weather has turned stormy, and that has given us some brilliant red sunrises ( and no more opportunities to view stars and planets).

The ancient pear tree is dripping pears onto the ground. Last summer we thought it had finally reached the end of its life when it dropped all leaves and many of its limbs in the great drought. I once would have canned all of these, but have found out recently why the oldtimers called them belly ache pears.

At the base of the tree in the 2nd to bottom photo is an entry into a honeybee hive. They have used this tree for about 10 years now--and while trying to shoot this photo they were flying over my shoulder to the opening at the base. We once had a similar tree fall over and found it filled with wax combs and honey. So there is no shortage of bees on our place. Of course, we don't use any pesticides or chemicals.

The last photo shows the approach of today's set of storms. I was able to make one more lap around before the rain and wind started. Luckily, there was no lightning to this one.
As you can see, the rains are pushing the growth of weeds and grass, and we will be struggling to keep ahead of it.

trains

 

 

 

 

 

As we drove across the American West, I was fascinated by the long, double stacked trains that snaked across the sage speckled plains and deserts. One train after another, they appeared from the west. Hundreds of cars stacked with goods from China---products that are no longer made in the U.S.

where the buffalo roam

 

 

A herd of buffalo graze the woodland pastures along the entrance to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was explained that they were the result of an experiment many years ago to cross beef and buffalo.The endeavor failed, and the remaining herd was released into the wild. Some areas were set aside for them to roam, but they have outgrown that space . They number over 400 now and are becoming a nuisance as they use all the resources and compact the soil in an area that did not originally have them. They are magnificent creatures, and I was enthralled thinking that they once covered the plains in the millions.

4th of July

 

Home made ice cream, peach cobbler, cold watermelon--grilled hamburgers and hot dogs,  big bowls of potato salad----flags waving in a breeze!
Happy 4th!

summer solstice at the north rim of grand canyon

 

 

 

The longest day of the year---watching the sun set on the multi-colored rock folds of the Grand Canyon was definitely an event to remember. Every sunset there is a treat, and visitors usually gather at the rim to record it in memory and photos. A reverence settles over the crowd and most do not speak.

star party at the canyon

 

 

 

While at the north rim of the Grand Canyon we were thrilled to find that volunteer astronomers had brought their telescopes and were sharing them with visitors. One astronomer had set his up with a sun filter during the daylight hours and gave us looks at sunspots and solar prominences. 

That evening we returned to find all the magnificent telescopes set up to show us planets, stars, nebulas and galaxies. Visitors waited patiently in line for their turn, and the volunteers graciously explained their telescopes and their targets.

What a combination--gorgeous scenery, dark skies and an opportunity to gaze at the heavens!

Newspaper Rock

 

 

 

Newspaper Rock has one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs. This ceremonial rock is located in eastern Utah. The carvings were made by the Native Americans who lived in the region and are some are thought to be at least 2000 years old.
Their age and purpose are not certain since it is impossible to carbon date rock. It is thought that some of the figures were carved as a right of passage to adulthood by young males.

There are over 650 figures of animals, humans and symbols.

To stand there in the early morning and think of all who had passed that way filled me with awe.