Over the Hill
Driving north on AZ64 to the Grand Canyon we felt like we were headed for the clouds. It was a perfect Arizona Highways day. We stayed 50 miles from the park in Williams at a nice KOA just of 64. The drive was beautiful and we found the park to be changed from our last visit. Now you need to take a shuttle bus to see the western third of the drive to Hermits Point. Since we've been there several times we just parked near the lodges, made a dinner reservation and then walked the rim, stopping at various points to just observe the details of the canyon.
We happened upon an Indian dance group who performed ceremonial dances "to add to the canyon experience." The MC didn't say what tribe the group was from. It seemed they were just a mixture of Indians who want to promote their heritage. The dance shown below was to honor the keepers of freedom, including our troops. The pictures really need the flutes and Indian chanting.
There are now 50 condors in the Canyon and we were lucky enough to spot one below one of our resting points. We watched this guy for half an hour or so and I took dozens of shots. He was several hundred feet below us and sat with his wings spread out...drying his armpits I guess. The birds are numbered...this guy is 41 but we don't know what that signifies. He also is tagged with antennae so observers can track him. What an ugly creature!
We had a truly great dinner at the El Tovar restaurant, after cocktails in the lounge. We started with a unique bruschetta of artichoke hearts, roma tomatoes and black olives covered with shredded parmesan cheese. Yumm...I'd like to duplicate that one. Jim had torneados of beef topped with duck pate. I had sauteed trout with apple salsa and pumpkin seed wild rice. Really unique combos of food. We ended with peach creme brulee and almond pear tart topped off with espresso. We broke the bank celebrating life.
Our last stop was to sit on the rim and watch the sunset. Hundreds of people line the rim for this "show" and it's very quiet...people are in awe of the grandeur. As we waited for the last rays of the sun the canyon continually changed color. It's one of those scenes that will be burned in my brain. I appreciate photographers who can capture the beauty of this moment. Here's my best attempt on this night.
