The North Rim

Seven years ago we traveled west.  At the top of our list of places to see was the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  This was the second attempt, since an early snow and ice prevented us from traveling to the NR a couple years before that.  As we neared the North Rim in 2006 we could see large areas of smoke on both sides of the highway 89A, and we could see firefighters in action.  When we got to Jacob's Lake, which is where 67 goes down to the Rim, the firefighters were staging with fire engines and personnel.  We would not see the North Rim that day.

The fire is referred to as the Fire of 2006.  Almost seven years later, the forest ravaged by this fire still stands scorched.  The undercover has barely started to recover.  As we drove the road down to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we saw miles and miles of scorched land.  Burnt trees had been cut down nearest the road in order to prevent falling timber weakened by fire.  This day we were particularly grateful as the wind was gusting up to 40 mph. 

 We continued our trek to the Grand Canyon, and as we drove the landscape became greener and more plush.  I know little about the patterns of raging forest fires, but on that day in 2006 the fire would not destroy every mile - I'm sure in part to the incredible efforts and expertise of the people who fought the fire.

As we drove higher in elevation, we caught glimpses of the canyon through the trees.  We knew we would round a curve and eventually get a full view.  I felt a sense of anticipation like a little kid waiting to open a present.

Normally, I would be the passenger so distracted by all this incredible landscape, but this day I was the driver.  Jerry had driven the Whale through mountains and very narrow roads the day before.  We decided to give him a break.  So I drove the Jeep down to the North Rim.  Once we climbed in elevation, given I am deathly afraid of heights, I thought maybe this was not such a good idea.  We did make it to the North Rim without driving over the edge.  The roads there have few guardrails as the natural beauty has been preserved without distraction. 

 We were not disappointed when we came in full view of the Grand Canyon.  From one vantage point on a path around the base of the North Rim Lodge, everywhere we turned was an overwhelming view.  The magnitude of the Grand Canyon is hard to comprehend even when a person is looking right at it.  The human eye can only see so far.  I knew there was more canyon further than I could see, yet still it's hard to really grasp it.

We traveled in the Jeep to the highest point further around one point of the canyon for just one more look before leaving the Grand Canyon National Park.  Since Maci had been in the Jeep for quite some time, we thought this would be a good time to stretch her legs.  At about 8,800 ft elevation, she jumped out of the back seat and right back into the front seat.  The dog's mind is a mystery to me...  She either did not care for the elevation or the gusts of wind at this elevation.  Standing on the edge of this high point was somewhat intimidating. 

"Dimension means nothing to the senses and all we are left is a troubled sense of immensity."  Geologist Clarence Dutton, 1889

We said good-by to the North Rim the next day to continue west through Zion National Park.  All vehicles larger than a passenger car had to pull off the road before the park to read and confirm size restrictions.  Vehicles longer than 50 ft. are not allowed.  Vehicles taller than 13'1" can't get through the tunnels.  We met the height limit at 12'7", but length?  Let's see...  40 foot of Whale + tow bars + Jeep = more than 50 ft.  We had to unhook, and I followed Jerry in the Jeep.  We have navigated some pretty tight curves with the full rig, but once we got into Zion, I fully understood the need to not be longer than 50 ft.  Those are some tight switch-backs!  There are also two tunnels - the first can be driven without problem.  The second tunnel requires stopping all traffic for "over sized vehicles" so the driver can drive down the middle of the tunnel avoiding getting stuck. 

This shot of the Whale from a safe vantage point behind gives you an idea of the incredible landscape in Zion National Park...  although I do suppose shooting pictures while driving a mountain road is much like texting and driving.

Since parking the Whale requires quite a bit of space, many of the pull-offs were too small. We finally made our way to the South Campground where we were able to hook up and continue our drive west. 

We stopped at Young's Campground, a very small camp with full hook-up in Caliente, NV.  The owners were welcoming and thanked us for stopping.

We're now headed to the Extraterrestial Highway and Area 51 which as I have said before does not officially exist according to the Federal Government.  Since aliens are not for abductions in the day, we anticipate traveling this highway without incident...