Monday, June 17, 2013

Hiking the Rim Trail (Grand Canyon South Rim)

"We have an unknown distance yet to run,an unknown river to explore..... with some eagerness and some anxiety and some misgiving we enter the canyon below."
John Wesley- (leader of the first exploration into the Grand Canyon in 1890)


The Rim Trail extends from the village area to Hermits Rest and covers a distance of almost 13 miles. Viewpoints along the way allow for quiet contemplation of the amazing scenery below. The beauty of the rim trail is that you can begin and end at any of the viewpoints, riding the shuttle bus between stops if you wish. 


The South Rim trail is considered to be one of the most scenic hiking trails in all of the canyon. The trail meanders along the canyon rim leading through pinyon pine and Utah juniper, often windblown into exotic shapes.  Come along with us as we casually hike this amazing trail~






these windblown trees have so much character
honestly -- they were one of my favorite things about this hike.









We started our hike in the early morning -- the fog was just lifting over the canyon.  In the early afternoon we took a little break - caught the shuttle back to Bright Angel Lodge and ate our lunch there.   In this photo we are sitting in front of the lodge and have just finished our ice cream cones.  (Espresso with chocolate chunks for me!)  Now we are off to catch the shuttle and resume our hike~









It's a great big place-- this canyon. Just standing here looking out on this vast expanse of space you can't help but think about all that had to happen in order for this place to be here.  This canyon puts time and our short lives~ into perspective.  It demands contemplation -- it cannot be seen in a day, a week, or even a lifetime. 















The Geology Museum
as seen from the rim trail
~~
At the end of the day~
we completed about 8 miles of the 13 mile distance,
stopping to take lots of photos and just
gaze upon the amazing scenery.
~
 next trip we will plan to start where we left off and 
complete the hike covering the distance that we missed
on this trip
~~
for those of you who are not inclined to hike~
you can see many of these amazing scenes
without ever putting on a pair of hiking boots.
You can simply drive along 
the Desert View road
stopping at the various viewpoints
 along the way.


I'm sharing with you some of the great buildings to be found along the South rim of the canyon.  This is the Grand Canyon Railroad station, dating back to the early part of the century. You can find info about riding the train to the canyon here.  



There are just never enough days to
do all the things you want to do!!
Riding the train is on our list
for next trip!


My favorite building (besides the Watch Tower!).  This is the Hopi House -- another of Mary Coulter's famous architectural designs.
Designed to replicate ancient Hopi Indian dwellings -- this is thought to be one of her greatest achievements. 


The Hopi House has been featuring native American artwork, jewelry, and Indian designs of all kinds for over 100 years.  Today, the Hopi House is a beautiful Native American gift shop featuring beautiful Indian jewelry pieces as well as other Native American art.  Watch your step when you enter -- the doors are short!


The geology museum sits right on the edge of the canyon and houses some amazing geological displays as well as a bookstore. The entire back wall of the museum features a floor to ceiling window for viewing of the canyon below.

The heat of the day quickly drops to COLD temperatures when the sun sets behind  the canyon.  At the end of our very long day -- and still we are walking around, I was freezing!! Because I can't stand to be cold -- I hiked to the car and grabbed the only warmth I could find -- this travel blanket.  And because I have NO shame--I wore it the rest of the evening!


Our National Parks are one of our greatest treasures.
If you have never visited a National Park -- by all means do so.
They are here for our pleasure~~ for our lifetime 
and for that of our children~

~~~~~~~
Some updates -
we have just returned from travels again -- this time we went to the beach and spent 10 glorious days at our condo.

Sunrise as seen from my balcony 

Now that we are home, I am crazy busy catching up with all the things that don't get done when you are away!  We drove to the beach and in tow were all of the latest additions to the Pink Scarf Project. I spent hours taking photos of your beautiful contributions while at the beach -- and I can't wait to share the gorgeous photos with you soon!  While I was there ~ I finished my own contribution to the Pink Scarf Project and I'm very excited to be sharing that with you also.

Up next -- more of our hiking photos from out west -- I'm taking you to beautiful, amazing, breathtaking Sedona. That post will be coming up soon! (I promise not to be gone so long this time!) I've tried to visit every single person who left a comment on my last post -- and I'm trying to catch up with all my blogging friends now!

xoxo,
Vicki

ps--

I'm excited to once again participate in Karen's fabulous
 "Where Blogger's Create party".
If you would like to share your creative space
(no matter how big or small!)
visit Karen for all the info. 
It's an amazing party -- 
and a wonderful opportunity to make new friends.
~
Plan to visit me here when I 
open up the doors to the
Sacred Yarn room~
(but first I have to clean it up!!)
The party starts July 12!!  

33 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Vicki Thank you thank you thank you. I enjoyed every photo and every word it was like I was travelling on this adventure with you. Your photos are magnificent. What an incredible place to explore. B

Julia said...

Vicki, I always love following you on your travel adventures and see the world through your eyes.
I see what you mean about those trees having character.

I love the magnificent photos of the canyons and you are very photogenic too with that gorgeous tan. I'm looking forward to your next trek.

Hugs,
JB

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Vicki, LOVE the photo of you and the Mr. Looks like y'all are having such a fabulous time...does my heart good. Dave and I visited the North Rim, spent a lovely evening and part of 2 days there...fun!
Love y'all were able to visit your condo...such fond memories for me; thank you all over again for those memories and that trip.
You are loved!

africanaussie said...

oh gosh the Grand Canyon has always been on my bucket list - what wonderful photos you took. those windblown trees really do give a sense of the immensity of the place.

Low Tide High Style said...

Such beautiful images. I haven't been there since I was a baby, so I think it's time I went back! Glad you had a wonderful time, and also at the beach.

Kat

P.S. no reply is necessary, I just love reading your posts. :)

Shirley said...

Hi Vicki, Thank you for my journey tonight before I call it a day. It was absolutely awesome and I enjoyed every minute of the adventure. The views were so beautiful. I love the sunrise from your balcony. I hope you have some more pictures to share. I will be watching. Hugs and Prayers from your Missouri Friend.

Mr Paul said...

Oh to be transported to from the big smoke to the vast expanse of peace that is the Grand Canyon to hike those magnificent trails. With all the craziness that goes hand I hand with living in a big city I could do with a dose of tranquillity.
The next time we think about going to Las Vegas or Palm Springs I have to incorporate a trip to spend a couple of days at the south rim. A wonderful trip post Vicki!x

Neesie said...

Absolutely breathtaking Vicki,
Each photo is a treasured memory.
I've never been to the canyon but it's on my list!
Those trees are incredible...what stories they would tell if they could talk. ;D
I'm going back to have another look...I could be here some time.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Have a great week :D

Mosaic Magpie said...

Fabulous photos! I feel as though I hiked right along with you....I missed out on the ice cream though...I love the photo of the park signage, keep the park as it is now....Sunrise at the beach, ahh does it get any better than that!?!
I would imagine the scarves looked nice being photographed on the beach.
xo,
Deb

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Vicki, Your Grand Canyon adventures photos are wonderful. Hugs Judy

MarmePurl said...

I have made that hike. I still remember the moment I fist looked into the canyon. I was frozen in awe.

Gone Country said...

Your photos took me back to my last visit to the canyon a couple of months ago. It's simply breathtaking!

I can't wait to see the photos from Sedona. I've never been there but it may be some place Hubby & I will need to add to our list of places to see while we're out west.

Jenny said...

I know you and your husband loved the adventure. I can only imagine the beauty you experienced. The fantastic photos have your stamp of creativity. xo Jenny

LisaS said...

Beautiful photos Vicki, I hope you enjoyed your stay. Sure looks like it ;)

The Faerie Factory said...

Such stunning scenery ... your pics are amazing ~ Sarah x

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

My husband and one of my daughters and I had a wonderful adventure at the Grand Canyon 10 years ago

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

My husband, one of my daughters, and I had the most wonderful adventure at the Grand Canyon about 10 years ago. Words can't describe it, but your pictures did. If was one of the few things in my life that was more than I expected.

Karen Valentine said...

Hi Vicki!
I'm so sorry we weren't able to hook up while you were in my neck of the woods! I don't know what happened! Time just got away from me!! I'm so glad you had a wonderful time though..:)

Thank you so much for the little shout out about the party! I got quite the new influx of sign ups since you posted this!!

XO,
Karen

Jim said...

This would be right up our alley!! We love to hike and haven't been 'out there' for a while.
Great photos and I see what you mean Vicki about the expanse and the contemplative aspect of being there.
Great post and you have me thinking.....

SuZeQ said...

Oh sweet Vicki ... I so love looking at your vacation pictures. You make climbing look so easy!!! What beautiful scenery - thanks so much for capturing it all for everybody to see. I appreciate you!
kosec@sbcglobal.net

SummersStudio said...

Oh I'm so glad you got to enjoy the south rim. It's a lovely hike. Next time maybe the back pack to the bottom? I've done it twice and it is fantastic. Especially Indian Gardens and the look out point.

Deb said...

Vicki, I just loved seeing all those beautiful South Rim pics! I may have said this on my last comment about your GC adventures, but it really makes me want to scrapbook my photos instead of keeping them in boxes!!

And that beautiful view from your balcony...does that ever bring back some wonderful memories. Glad you had a good time at the beach and look forward especially to the photos you took there!

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

Hermosos lugares, lindas fotos.
qué maravilla.
Envidio tu bronceado, yo soy blanca como papel, jajaja.
Cariños Vicki, disfruta de la vida.
Aquí empezó el invierno y empezaron mis dolores. Tendré que hacer de tripas corazón.
Un beso

J malone said...

I enjoyed reliving our canyon visit through your photos!

Tanna said...

I love to adventure with y'all, Vicki!! =D

I know just what you mean about never having enough time to do ALL the things that you want. ;) My favorite thing was the name of that Lodge, Bright Angel. Just have to love that! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Dorthe said...

Hello my dear Vicki,
I love wemen with no shame, wearing carpets the whole evening if they are cold- and would do the same myself :-)
What an amazing place this is, and yest how fantastic to even begin to think how all this have happened and how it became what it is now!!
My little brain, will not be able to understand I think !!! It is such a beautiful huge area, in the most wonderful tones from the mountains the trees , and the sky...Such soft lovely tones, at least in your photoes !!!
Must have been yet another most gorgeous ecperience, dearest friend!!
Love and hugs,Dorthe

Bumpkin Hill said...

I remember my first sighting of the canyon and watching the sunset, complete with lightning! I must say i always love love wind swept trees, in fact any trees :) looking forward to more photos, catherine x

kathyinozarks said...

Just breathtaking Vicki, thanks so much for all the views, just like hiking along with you-

Astri said...

Oh Vicki your adventures are so awesome. Gotta' love the Grand Canyon!

grenzen-los-zeit-los said...

what a wonderful life and People which looks so happy ...I wish the best for you and your Family ... Ursa

Laurie said...

Loved experiencing your travels through those beautiful photos. Just gorgeous! Now, I can't wait to see your yarn room.

~Laurie

myriamkreativ said...

Hi sweet friend,
... so very nice to share all this beautiful photos from your travels. They brought a bit of sunshine in our little autum hiding in the June (raining and so cold here....) Hope you are all well Lots of love Myriam

nancarts said...

Love all your photos. I have not been to the Grand Canyon, but the pictures are amazing. Thanks for sharing.