Day 5 - 4th of July

Day 5 Route

Happy Birthday America! Quick summary of Day 5: meadows, Grand Canyon (again) but north rim this time, Rainier cherries, Aspens, ponderosa pines, Angels Window, and spontaneous grass fires.

We decided to celebrate America's birthday in the Grand Canyon. This time we would visit the north rim. We spent the night in Page, Arizona again and got an early start on our drive to the north rim. The drive was about 2 1/2 hours. The drive into the north rim is so very different from the south entrance. The south rim is very arid, flat for the most part and has shorter trees. The drive into the north rim had beautiful sprawling meadows that then gave way to huge groves of Aspen's, spruce, and pine trees.

This side of the Grand Canyon is very much more woody and mountainous. It reminded me of Rocky Mountain National Park. A few years ago we were fortunate to spend the 4th of July on Mt. Rainier. On our way up the mountain, we stopped at a local farmers fruit stand and bought a bag of Rainier cherries. We rode up the mountain with the windows open so that we could spit the pits out as we drove. Every 4th, I try to find Ranier cherries for us to enjoy. Luckily enough, I found Ranier cherries for our ride into the north rim.

Our first stop once inside the park, we visited the Grand Canyon Lodge. What a stunning hotel! It was built in the 1920's. There is a main lodge and then 120-ish small cabins. It is all done so beautifully. The south rim is the most popular side of the Canyon. The northrim is not open to visitors in the winter. I preferred the landscape on the north rim over the south rim. The good news is that you are looking down on the canyon regardless of which rim you are on!


We entered the GC Lodge and walked to the rear of the building. There is a room that has three 20-foot tall windows showing the Canyon. There are rows of leather sofas in that room that allows everyone to sit and look out on the Canyon. Incredible room!

To the right and left of this grand 'living room' are back porches. The porch to the left has rows of wooden adirondack chairs. The other has high top tables and chairs for anyone enjoying a snack or just wanting to admire the view. We went to the adirondack chairs first. We sat for a bit and took in the scenery.

We then moved to the other porch where we knew there was a trail head. We decided to take the trail. Did I mention that the lodge is built on the rim of the Canyon? If there is a trail, then it is on the rim as well. This trail leads out to an overlook that juts out into the Canyon. It was not a long overlook, but even fifteen feet out over vast openness was enough to give me that weak feeling in my knees. What incredible views!

The north rim does not have a shuttle bus set up so you drive to whatever points of interest you want to see. There was a picture on the map that we were given when we entered the north rim that really intrigued me. It looked like a large rock mass that went out into the Canyon but there was a hole in the center of the wall. We stopped in at the Gift Shop at the Lodge and found out that that rock is called Angel's Window. We decided to head that way.

Angel's Window is located at the furthest eastern point of the north rim. It would take us 45 minutes to drive to that location. Along the drive we found a spot that would serve as our picnic area for lunch. We had packed sandwiches, along with our cherries, chips, and other snacks. We sat and listened to some favorites tunes on our portable speaker while enjoying the view below. Best sandwiches we've ever eaten!

After enjoying our lunch we continued our trek to Angel's Window. The drive is on the side of a mountain and there is typically not any guard railings and definitely no shoulder. Upon arrival our elevation is just under 8,000 feet. The last approach was through a ponderosa pine forest. Giant pine trees densely populating a few miles. The smell was so pure. We caught a glimpse of Angel's Window- actually I caught a glimpse, Dean could not take his eyes off of the road!

We arrived at the location and grabbed our camel back filled with water along with a barrage of camera equipment. The trail to the feature was so very nice. Wide and blacktopped with various trees shading the walk. We came upon a vista that gave great photo opportunities of Angel's Window. It is such a unique feature- a giant wall of rock that has a hole carved out in it. We stopped to take pictures and just stand in awe of Mother Nature, yet again.

As we shot, I noticed people walking out on top of the rock!!! What? So Dean says, you go walk out on it and I'll shoot you from here! OK I say and begin my walk to the rock. I'm excited about the photo opportunity and not really thinking about what this might be like. I get to the area and I catch my breath  when I see the walkway out onto the rock. I continue as I know Dean has been waiting for a bit to get the shot. I walk out and look back to where I left Dean. I can see several people in that area but we are about 1/4 mile apart. I think I spot him so I look that way and smile. He flails his arms in the air to get me to move towards the left so I do. I am trying really, really hard to not look down at this point because I am not that brave when it comes to heights.

See me? I'm wearing a red tee!

I see he puts his camera down and starts walking towards me. I then realize exactly where I am standing and how precarious it is. I find a large boulder in the center of the overlook and just sit. And sit. Dean makes it to me and I don't move. That icky feeling of being weak in the knees is throughout my entire body. I couldn't shake it. Dean walked closer to the edges to get pictures- I snapped a picture of his stance....

Here is a video of Angel Window Overlook  itself. When viewing this you are on top of Angel's Window!! (How are your knees feeling?)

We didn't stay out that long on the overlook, as we were both feeling weak in the knees. We decided to head back down the mountain and out of the park. On the drive down, we came across more wildflowers- so many more than we had seen on the south rim. Also at the lower levels were Aspen trees. I love these trees. The bark is white and the leaves are chartreuse and flutter in the wind. We found a turn off and we switched places. I drove and Dean rode shotgun. When we drove upon the flowers and Aspen's I slowed down and let Dean out. There was not place near to pull off so I went up the road until I found another turn around and then headed back to pick him up! Yes, these are the types of things we do on our vacations.... but look at these pictures!

We were whipped again from a full day. As we got closer to Page, we could see clouds of smoke in the air. The closer we got we realized that there were five or so small wildfires that were burning right on the edge of the highway. In some instances, community members who were passing by stopped and were working with shovels or bottles of water or fire extinguishers out of their boats, etc. It looked like their efforts were in vain but it does leave you feeling helpless to see the fires just burning out of control. These fires were not around homes or businesses- it was more or less pasture but it could have easily burned to threaten homes.

Our plan for Day 6 is to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon (in Page) and then head to Zion National Park in Utah. Details to come soon!

Pictures from Day 5