Oct 17, 2018
A quick change of plan
We are not known to be spontaneous. However early Sunday morning as I was reading my emails I got the thought to check the weather. Big change. Our plan was to visit the Grand Canyon Monday and Tuesday based on weather. The weather had changed and now the two best days of our six day stay were today ( Sunday ) and Monday. So quick quick we were gathering maps, water and snacks and out the door within 35 minutes ( I still was not dressed for the day ). We chose to enter via the East entrance so it was a slightly longer drive via Flagstaff and the scenic HWY 89.
The first view point outside of the National Park. The Little Colorado River.
I am proud to say that I took this shot with my small Canon SX600HS, zoomed right in. Colin wants me to add that he thinks it is one of the best photos he has seen of the canyon.
Our first official view of the Grand Canyon from the Desert View Watchtower viewpoint.
It was a bit nippy but as the sun rose we warmed up.
We made a point of stopping at every viewpoint and here we are at Navajo Point. Self portrait with the Nikon D800 and a 12 – 24mm lens.
I started with three layers and gloves.
Moran Point
Lipan Point
We think this was taken at Grandview Point.
I took this as we were driving and got lucky when this big fella turned his head towards the light.
We eventually got to the Visitor Center parking lot and walked up to Mather Point, a very large viewing area. Afterwards we headed to the Visitor Center and got there just in time to watch the short but excellent film on the Grand Canyon. Sadly the center closed as the film ended at 5PM. So we took a shuttle back to Yaki Point.
Sunset from Yaki Point. Colin was using the Canon SX60HS, the camera we used in Europe last spring.
At this time of year, the sun is lower in the sky so there are more shadows as the sun is not shining within the canyon.
While waiting here for the light to change we saw a Condor with its wings spread every so slowly rising with the air currents. Such an incredible sight. He rose higher and higher until out of sight.
Taken with my small Canon.
The rest of these were taken with the Nikon. There was no one else here with us at sunset.
It was a grand day indeed and we were sad that we had barely covered half of the park. We will have to step up our game and head out even earlier the next morning.
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Two beautiful happy people in a special place. Enjoy.
Thank you Marie and Craig. Wish we were further South with you as I assume it is much warmer than here.
Beautiful photos!
Gracias!
Glad you made it. It’s such a beautiful place. We love it there.
It is a very special place indeed.
Happy you made it to the Grand Canyon. It is a wonderful place to visit. Our last visit with our motorhome was in late September. We parked at Jacobs Lake and drove the tow car to the Lodge. What a fantastic time to be there with all the Aspens in full color. Have never forgotten this lovely memory.
You were just here a few weeks ago! Would have loved to have met up with you. We will attempt to visit the North Rim but it will be weather dependent. Memories are great things.
My sentence should have read… “in late September many years ago.” Sorry for the confusion. Reliving many wonderful memories through your travels.
Got it. Still would love to meet up with you one day. Where do you live?
Because of your comment I have those golden Aspens in my mind.
I’ve been following you for a few years, but this is the first time commenting. Those are great photos of the Grand Canyon. Arizona is my home state though I am now a full timer – you have captured Arizona’s most beautiful natural beauty.
Welcome to the comment section of my blog Eileen. I so appreciate your comment. How lovely that you are a full timer and are free to roam this great country. Glad you liked the Grand Canyon photos. I can only imagine what we could do in different conditions. Hopefully one day if you stay in touch we can meetup for a happy hour or a meal. Safe travels to you.
BEAUTIFUL SHOTS FROM EACH CAMERA. ARE YOU GOING OUT ON THE PROTRUDING WALKWAY OVERHANGING THE CANYON? I UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S FAIRLY EXPENSIVE. IT IS NOT OPERATED BY THE GOV’T. EVERYONE SAYS THE VIEW IS SPECTACULAR. YES, IT IS COLD UP THERE. LOOK AT YOUR ALTITUDE!! KEEP ON HAVING FUN.
No we are not going anywhere near that protruding walkway.
So many wonder pictures and amazing sights to see, loved the views there even pictures don’t do it justice, a must visit for sure. Glad you made it. We frequently change our plans according the weather.
Glad you enjoyed the Grand Canyon in person and again thru Colin’s photos.
Great photos and add me to the list with Colin. I haven’t seen a better picture of the canyon than the one you took. It was also good to hear you did something spontaneous, that’s always fun and the story of my life. LOL
Thank you Steve, your comment is much appreciated.
Such a pretty area. Don’t hurt yourselves trying to cover it all – that way you have reason to come back!
Life is short, who knows if and when we will be back this way. We plan to cover what we can within reason.
WOW, what beautiful photos, and to think, you had that view all to yourselves!
Speaking of “how the canyon measures up,” I am curious to know how it measured up to your expectations as well. Was it pretty much as you expected, or was seeing it in 3D even more awe-inspiring than you expected? I hope you found it as magical as I did!
We loved seeing the Grand Canyon. There are no words to describe the grandeur of it all. I wish that we were free to travel here every month to see it over an over again.
The Grand Canyon is just so GRAND – it is a magicial place and is a needs to be seen to be appreciated to the fullest – at least that is how we feel. We also did the North Rim on another trip – at that time it was a long drive over mostly wash board road to get to the rim and a Primitive Campground. While there we were lucky enough to see a couple of raft trips going through the Canyon. That is the first place where I remember being able to “hear the quiet”. Again lovely photos and thank you so much for sharing.
Yes it is so very GRAND and MAGICAL! We really hope that in our lifetime that we can return to see the magic.
Thanks for the lovely photos, I felt like I was there too!
So happy to have you along with us. Stay tuned as there is much more to come.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!
Thank you!