It is indeed GRAND!

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The Grand Canyon -- March 8-10

Three words: It is grand! Being “in the neighborhood” we really couldn’t be this close and not make a trip to the Grand Canyon, and wow, are we glad we did. Although we did not hike or ride mules down into the canyon, we did view it from a number of different places along the south rim and took a tour with a very knowledgeable geologist. Learning about the millions of years that it took to create those rock formations was fascinating. An added treat was spending a night at the El Tovar hotel, established in the heyday of the Santa Fe railroad and run by the Harvey company. Heading south after our visit to the canyon, we stopped in Sedona to see the beautiful red rocks country. On a hillside overlook recommended by a local resident, we not only got a great view of the rocky promontories that highlight the region, but we (along with about a hundred of our closest new friends) also saw a marvelous sunset. After a nice breakfast at the Sedona airport—if you haven’t yet discovered the joys of eating at funky restaurants located at small airports, please treat yourself soon—we wound southward through foothills and a big valley before climbing again to reach the old mining community of Jerome. At the peak of mining operations—primarily silver—the town had 15,000 people and three very big hotels. Current population: 350. But it’s a fun town, perched on the side of a mountain with lots of crafters, artists, and other refugees from urban America. Looking back to the north where we had driven, we found the views of the valley and mountains near Flagstaff quite beautiful from Jerome and even more wonderful as we climbed the mountainside switchbacks leaving town. The San Francisco Peaks, just north of Flagstaff, are the highest in Arizona—about 12,600 ft.—and are often mentioned in Tony Hillerman novels among the four sacred mountains of the Navajo people.

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Photos

South rim
another sunrise angle

south rim4
sunrise at the south rim

Sunrise
sunrise at the south rim

Red rocks in Sedona
the one on the right is called the coffeepot.

Blue Agave
a variation on the desert agave by the same name -- in the artist's gallery area called Tlaquepaque.

Yes, we're alive and well
enjoying Tlaquepaque.

The mountain town
of Jerome, AZ. Once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory, Jerome boasted a population of nearly 15,000, it is now home to about 350 folks, many of whom are artists.

San Francisco Peaks
from Jerome, AZ.

Jerome's streets are
very European - steep and narrow.

Comments

[Bix]

Grand Canyon
Awesome, just awesome.....can't wait to see all the pictures in Maine this summer....enjoy the train

[Judy]

Love your pictures, Jen. Having had two of our winter trips canceled and another this week threatened by this noreaster, I revel in reading about your journey. Enjoy!! judy