The Grand Canyon

 The Grand Canyon

My Second Time, Jimmy's First

This is part of our trip to the Southwest in Sept. 2010.  The post following this is the first part of the trip.  I decided to begin a new post for our last two excursions.  The day before we had explored Mesa Verde, Four Corners, and Monument Valley.  After a good night's sleep, we headed out to the Grand Canyon.

Sept. 9, 2010
www.nps.gov/grca/
Check out the website

A new visitor's center has been build since I have been here.  These are some pictures I took in there.  We are at the South Rim.  Next time I come I would like to view the North Rim.  I have heard it is equally as beautiful from there.

 Today it is hazy, so my pictures do not capture the colors as they really are.  Actually, pictures of the Grand Canyon do not do it justice.  You have to see it to really experience it.

 Look closely at the picture above and you can see a trail below.

 Work is being done on this ledge.  Last time I visited we went out on it.  But, I heard that the reason it is closed is because they are building a higher fence because last year a lady from Japan was visiting and was standing close to the fence.  She was a small oriental lady and was getting her picture made.  A very strong wind blew her over to her death.  I can see how this could happen because there were strong winds the day we were there and it was pretty scary every time we got near the edge.

 God really created an incredible view here at the Grand Canyon.

 I almost freaked out every time Jimmy would get near the edge.

 I am holding on to the tree for dear life.

 Jimmy had to wear my white jacket today because he did not follow instructions from me as we were packing.  I told him to pack a jacket because it might get cool out here.  Did he listen to me???NO!!!! It was very chilly here today, so I let him wear my OTHER jacket I brought.  You might have noticed that I wore my blue jacket a lot of this trip.

 Those people on that ledge are either brave or crazy!!!

 The Colorado River can be seen in the canyon down below.

 A good view of the Colorado River is seen in this picture.

 Another view of the Colorado River.

The River runs through it.

I have many more pictures on my Shutterfly sharesite.  To access it click http://annettastravels.shutterfly.com/

Jimmy was in total awe here.  When we left here we traveled up to Page, Arizona where we stayed overnight and took a raft trip the next day on the Colorado River from Page to Lees Ferry where the Grand Canyon begins.

Colorado River Discovery Raft Trip

Page, Arizona

Sept. 10, 2010

Did we arise early or what?????

Yes, we did and we drove down a couple of block to the Colorado River Discovery building to board a bus to be transported to the dam where our raft awaited us.  This was a slow raft trip, which is just right for old people like us.

http://www.raftthecanyon.com/

Colorado River Discovery offers the most fantastic one day rafting trips anywhere on the mighty Colorado River. We provide half-day and full day tours that are perfect for the entire family (kids aged 4 and up).
Departing from the scenic town of Page, Arizona, your trip will begin with an exciting and exclusive ride down the two-mile long Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel. At river level, with the dam soaring 700 feet above you, you will board a comfortable pontoon raft for your journey downstream.

For the next fifteen miles, you will experience one of the most dramatic stretches of river in the western United States. Your experienced guide will tell the story of the area’s soaring sandstone cliffs, crystal blue-green waters, abundant wildlife, exploration by Major John Wesley Powell and others, and the river's modern role in the Southwest’s water and power delivery system.
A stop to view an impressive set of ancient petroglyphs will offer a you chance to stretch your legs and enjoy your lunch while bearing witness to the area’s former inhabitance by ancient native cultures. If you choose, you may also refresh yourself by wading in the cold, clear river.
The river portion of your trip ends at historic Lees Ferry, gateway to the Grand Canyon. Here you will board your bus for the short ride back to Page, where your vehicle or other transportation awaits.
Make your reservation today, to experience beautiful Glen Canyon from the Colorado River’s perspective.

 We had to drive through this mile long tunnel to get to the place where we boarded the raft.  We had to be cleared to enter this tunnel.  It is monitored by Homeland Security.

 Below the dam.

 We were required to wear hard hats in this area.

 Jimmy gets ready to board the raft.

Our guide-Makaila. She was wonderful.   Quite witty.

 One raft was ahead of us.

 Leaving the dam area.

 The light colored space in the middle of the picture was the size of a football field.

 Petroglyphs that were drawn hundreds of years
ago.

 This little guy was crawling around on the rocks.  He really is pretty, isn't he?  

 We are about to board the raft after the short hike to the petroglyphs.

 We came upon a man fly fishing.

 One of the people on our raft relaxes.  This was a relaxing trip.

 Can you guess what these are?  They are Arizona gnats!

 Pulling in to Lees Ferry.  The end of the raft trip.

 This rock is know as ET.  On the way back to Page the bus stopped here for people to take pictures.
The bus took us back to the place where we boarded it.  Yesterday while we were at the Grand Canyon we met a couple with their 2 teenage daughters.  We were telling them about this raft trip.  When we got off they were there waiting for us and had purchased tickets to do the afternoon trip.  What a surprise!

 The bridge above the dam.

 A view of Lake Powell from the dam.

 After we got off the raft trip and as we headed out of Page we went to the highway above the dam and looked back down at the afternoon group boarding the rafts where we got on this morning.

 These are pictures of Lake Powell.  The water was the prettiest blue I have ever seen.

When we left Lake Powell we headed back to St. George, UT because the next morning at 8 am we would fly back home.  What a wonderful trip!!!!   I love the Southwest!!!!!