Grand Canyon

Leaving Zion National Park (SEE ZION BLOG BELOW) we drove to the town of Jacob Lake, Arizona which is about 35 miles north of the Grand Canyon. After a little research and talking to some locals we decided the North Rim was the best place to visit the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a gorge formed by the Colorado River and other geological processes that is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles across and 1 mile deep! So we head into North Rim to check out the famous Grand Canyon not knowing what to expect. I can personally say it was undescribable experience, the pictures we have cannot justify what it is like to be there. We checked out several trails that showed different parts of the canyon before heading to the visitor center/lodge. When we got to the lodge we saw a sign for mule rides that take you down into the canyon. Being the "experienced" mule riders we just had to check it out! We found out that we had missed the last ride for the day so we had to sign up for the next day 7:30 am ride. Now I don't mind getting up early but I haven't mentioned that the temperature the next morning was supposed to be down to 24 degrees! So the next morning with our heavy jackets, sock hats, and gloves we headed back to the park to start the adventure! On the drive there we hit temperatures as low as 14 degrees and had to avoid hit wandering mule deer! We got to the lodge and met our shuttle bus driver, a guy decked out in cowboy boots with spurs, cowboy hat, and chaps, a real cowboy who was in charge of transportation! I guess the weather had scared off most the people because there were only 3 other people who went on the ride with us, a couple from New Jersey and a oil man from Texas. We rode down about 1 1/2 miles to a point where the trail narrowed and let the mules and us take a break before heading back up. It was a great experience that let us see the canyon different than the typical tourist does. If you have the chance stop by even only for an hour or two the Grand Canyon is definitely worth it!


-POTTS