Grand Canyon = WOW!

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After a fantastic dinner at the hotel's restaurant we settled in for the night and a great nights sleep. It rained a fair bit of the night and at times heavy enough to wake us up.

After a hearty buffet breakfast Vicki and I drove up to the visitors centre. the first thing we noticed was how bloody cold it is outside. It was barely above zero and drizzling with rain. While at the visitors centre we were greeted with a very excited announcement from the rangers "we are having the first snow of the season". As Vicki had never seen snow before we neaded outside for a walk back to the car and it was bucketing down snow.

It was now time to find out what this Grand Canyon thing is all about. Wow! What a sight it is. You can look at all the photos you want but the vista is simply breathtaking. It is without the most amazing natural feature I have seen. It just takes your breath away.

We battled through more snow, passing showers and fog to capture the photos. It was bitterly cold and really took us by surprise as only a couple of days ago we were in LA battling heat and humidity.

We came back to the hotel and had some lunch followed by a cappuccino and cinnamon scroll. We then came back to our room and had a bit of a rest. One thing we have found at this altitude, 7,000 feet, is fatigue is a real issue. We have just woke up from 2 hours sleep and are about to head out for sunset photos and dinner.

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Photos

Vicki in the snow
Grand
Canyon Visitors Centre and Vicki's first experience in the snow.

Duck on a rock
I love this rocky outcrop

Tusayan Ruins
Up to 20 Indians lived in the house that was here in the ruins.

Grand Canyon
WOW!

Tusayan Ruins
The living quarters

Tusayan Ruins
Large Kiva, a ceremonial room. Note the fire pit in the middle

Cactus
Near the Tusayan Ruins

Cactus
Near the cactus in the previous photo

Tusayan Museum
The national park people have recreated how they think the ruins used to be in this museum. Ranger Christine gave us a great insight to the Indian people.