Day 6 and the North Rim

We set out from Page, AZ this morning enroute to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to determine for ourselves whether the North or South Rim is the better destination.

As we travelled down Route 89A we ran across the Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon. We decided to stop to take a look. What a great decision! The view from the bridge over the Colorado River is absolutely spectacular as are the views of the surrounding canyon walls. Our intended 10 minute stop turned into 2 hours, including a side trip to nearby Lee's Ferry which was the main Colorado River crossing point before the Navajo Bridge was constructed. Near the ferry site we were able to walk down to the river's edge and watch several rafts run the Paria Riffle (a riffle is white water too small to be called at rapids). Bryan is now trying to find out how to join one of the rafting trips. On the way back to the highway, we stopped to get some pictures of some unique balanced rock formations. I gotta tell you, I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road there because we were surrounded on all side by magnificent red rock cliffs. We were all very happy to have made this unscheduled stop.

We finally made our way towards the North Rim and stopped for lunch at the Kaibab (pronounced kybob) Lodge. It was an excellent meal in a very nice log lodge.

Once inside the park, the difference between the South Rim and North Rim was obvious. Where the South Rim is a crowded, hot, modern, desert environment, the North Rim is cool, wooded environment with log cabins and a visitor's center in the craftsman style. Onto of that the drive into the park and the roads to the various viewing points winding and wooded. We all agreed that the North Rim is far more pleasant destination.

We are now in Kanab, UT for the night & will be going to Zion National Park tomorrow. More later.

Gunny