Still standing

Navaho Bridge at Marble Canyon

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Travelling to the south rim from the north rim is not easy.

As the crow flies it's about 18 miles. But in a car it's about 250 miles. Seems longer when it's 110 deg F and you are driving a 2003 Mercury Sable station wagon...but that's another story.

To get to the opposite rim you will likely cross the Navaho Bridge at Marble Canyon. Built in 1929 (the bridge on the left), it has been closed to the vehicle traffic for over ten years. Walking over the bridge though gives you a sense of grandeur...of the canyon of course. But also of the great people who have inhabited the area.


Stay tuned,
S

Grand Canyon, North Rim

Wow! Totally unexpected.

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The North Rim is visited by only 20% of all Grand Canyon visitors. A shame because it offers a very different and more green view of the canyon.

Remember the "Brighty of the Grand Canyon" books? They took place on the north rim. Except for the very grand canyon, of course, it reminds me of the great northwest. In other words "home".

Stay tuned,
S


Back online with time to post

Zion National Park

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John Wesley Powell was a one-armed college professor with a thirst for knowledge explored the deserts of the American Southwest including the Zion National Park area. 

"

[...the canyon] is a land of song. Mountains of music swell in the rivers, hills of music billow in the creeks, and meadows of music murmur in the rills that ripple over the rocks. Altogether it is a symphony of multitudinous melodies. All this is the music of waters."

--John Wesley Powell

Amen, Major Powell. Amen

Day 4

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Day 4 finds us continuing our way south. At the first stop, the kids went into the Great Salt Lake to swim er float. Generally very salty water which sticks to you. Good news though it would be very hard to sink.

After that little excursion, we looked at the Kennecott open pit copper mine. Wow. Huge scar. "One of the few man made items seen from space." What an accomplishment. Well, I guess it's needed.

Next stop Bryce Canyon.

Stay tuned,
S

Day 3 Salt Lake City

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Spent the day in Salt Lake City. Toured the Temple Square. Saw the state capital. Generally did the tourist thing.

Some observations:
The city is quiet. I didn't hear sirens or horn honking.

The city is clean. Really clean.

The people are very friendly and courteous.

There wasn't a lot of people walking around.

The weather was great. Kids swam in the pool after dinner.

Next stop ... Bryce Canyon.

Stay tuned,
S

Idaho has some great sites.

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On day two and we are still in Idaho. This time at the Craters of the Moon National Park.

Ok ok it's not really craters of the moon ... It just SEEMS like the moon.

The area is actually lava flow from the "great rift". This little mound of lava is actually a small volcano. Just to the right of the mound is a hole maybe 20 to 30 ft deep. Since no direct light gets into this hole, snow is still visible in July! Kinda neat.

We have reservations at an RV park in Salt Lake City. Time to saddle up..

Stay tuned,
S