Grand Canyon National Park 9/11-9/13 2020

https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/42054

Zoom Zoom and I were fortunate enough to spend 3 days in the canyon. One of our questions about the park was: how long is the Grand Canyon? Looking it up on one of many informational sites located at the canyon – we got our answer! It is 277 miles long, about 18 miles wide and a mile deep! Of course it isn’t finished growing. The weather is the biggest factor in changing the canyon. Rain, snow and wind change the canyon on a daily basis.

Only YOU can prevent forest fires!

We spent the first day exploring the village which is also called the Grand Canyon Village Historic District. The village encompasses 8 buildings. Back in September of 1901, the very first steam powered train arrived from Williams, AZ to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Over the next 10 years the 8 buildings were built and the “Village” became a bustling place.

We were able to see all the places, but the Kolb Studio and Bucky O’Neil’s places were closed.

The Santa Fe Railway Station is up and operating! They have 4 different “car” experiences from $33.50 – $113.00 each way for an adult ticket. It is a 54.4 mile trip to Williams, AZ. I think going during the winter would be a great time to go! It will look like a Winter Wonderland.

The El Tovar Hotel is just up the hill from the train station. It looks like a Swiss Chalet! It was completed in 1905. In 1905, this hotel was considered to be the most luxurious hotels west of the Mississippi.

The Hopi House is just across the courtyard from El Tovar Hotel. It was designed by the famed architect, Mary Colter. The Hopi House was her first work and it opened on New Year’s Day 1905. She used building from an ancient village near the Hopi Reservation for inspiration. The doors a low, the ceilings are thatched, and the “bricks” are molded from res sandstone. The building is a 2 story gift shop and cultural center.

Vercamp’s Visitor Center began as Vercamp’s Curios in a tent in 1898! When Vercamp first arrived at the Grand Canyon to set up business he didn’t stay long. There wasn’t enough business. After the train station was up and running he decided to return to build a shop. He opened this shop in 1906. In 2008, the National Parks Service purchased the building. It is now a visitor center, museum, and store.

Lookout Studio was IMPRESSIVE! It was built on the edge of The Rim. This building was also designed by Mary Colter. There are 2 porches that face the canyon. It seems as if this building is suspended in space!

The next day, Zoom Zoom and I hiked “parts” of The Rim. The park has a shuttle system that runs from The Village to Hermits Rest. It has several stops along the way where we were able to get off at the points of interest and get on the next bus. We went all the way to Hermits Rest, look around and came back to Mojave Point to hike back to The Village. It is about 4.5 miles back. When it is advertised that you walk The Rim, you really do. Several sections have no railing nor rocks to outline the route. Before you venture out they warn you to stay 6 feet from the edge! I can tell why! The next set of phots aren’t in any order. Once you see the Grand Canyon it all starts looking the same.