And what a view this was! Just what you’d expect and hope for, I think. But like everyone says, photos don’t really capture the feeling of being there on the rim! Can you imagine waking up and looking out your window and seeing this? It was really exciting and, fortunately, we had until 1 pm to explore the South Rim area.
We shopped and bought souvenirs at the Lookout, Kolb Studio, El Tovar hotel, and Hopi House, because we didn’t think we’d have time after climbing out a week from now. Looked through telescopes to see the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim and down at the trails we’ll be walking. INTIMIDATING!! Repacked so I had everything I needed for the 7 days and 6 nights in my backpack and left my suitcase in the van with souvenirs, a bath towel for a shower when I hike out, and clothes for the plane home. We parked our van at the trailhead of the Bright Angel Trail, right by the Kolb Studio, so we could see where we plan to hike up and out one week from today.
Decided to take before and after photos: this is BEFORE we set off in the van to the North Rim to begin hiking. We’re on the South Rim here, in front of the hotel where we stayed last night.
This is one of the AFTER photos, just as we arrived back at the top of the South Rim.
When we got to the campground on the North Rim, after a 5 hour van trip around the canyon, it was really cold out: 40 degrees with 40 mph winds. The warmest things I had with me were one long-sleeved shirt and long pants, no sleeping bag; just a foam mat, a sheet and a pillowcase. I worried that I would freeze, as I was already cold and it wasn't even dark yet.
Kristin had a couple purposes in planning for us to camp on the North Rim this first night. One was to make sure we had everything we needed before descending into the Canyon. If we didn't there was a store at this campground. So I bought a fleece; yay! Another was to give Patti a real camping experience, so we had a campfire and roasted hot dogs, S'mores etc. No fires allowed below the rim; only little camp stoves that could heat up water. And no soap.
I didn't know this campground employed a "host family" for the summer but I sure was glad they did, as our hosts came by during the campfire and loaned us some warm sleeping bags for the night. So between that and my winter golf gloves, I stayed warm as the wind howled outside our tent and I got used to sleeping on the ground and slept pretty well until the 5 am wakeup call.
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