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[[Sunday 22 September 2024|Sunday 22nd]]  |  [[Monday 23 September 2024|Monday 23rd]]  |  [[Tuesday 24 September 2024|Tuesday 24th]]  |  [[Wednesday 25 September 2024|Wednesday 25th]]  |  Thursday 26th  |  [[Friday 27 September 2024|Friday 27th]]  |  [[Saturday 28 September 2024|Saturday 28th]]  |  [[Sunday 29 September 2024|Sunday 29th]]  |  
[[Sunday 22 September 2024|Sunday the 22nd]]  |  [[Monday 23 September 2024|Monday the 23rd]]  |  [[Tuesday 24 September 2024|Tuesday the 24th]]  |  [[Wednesday 25 September 2024|Wednesday the 25th]]  |  Thursday the 26th  |  [[Friday 27 September 2024|Friday the 27th]]  |  [[Saturday 28 September 2024|Saturday the 28th]]  |  [[Sunday 29 September 2024|Sunday the 29th]]  |  


== Thursday 26 September ==
== Thursday 26 September - Elizabeth's Birthday! ==
=== Maswik Lodge and the Bright Angel Trailhead/Rim Trail ===
=== Maswik Lodge and the Bright Angel Trailhead/Rim Trail ===
Our stay on the south rim was at Maswik.  John and Tammy scored a room in the newer soyth section (with elevators!), while were in "Aspen" in the north section.  The main lodge building has a gift shop and a food court with several hot service stations, and a separate "Pizza Pub" resturant.<br>
[[Image:birthday cake.png|left|50px]]Our stay on the south rim was at Maswik.  John and Tammy scored a room in the newer soyth section (with elevators!), while were in "Aspen" in the north section.  The main lodge building has a gift shop and a food court with several hot service stations, and a separate "Pizza Pub" restaurant.<br>


The hot service was a pretty mixed bag.  The main breakfast station was pretty much always cold and frankly not very good.  The omelet bar was OK, and Elizabeth talked the guy working it to make me cheese omelets with American cheese, so that was a win.  I was also surprised that they didn't have more "homemade style" pastries and deserts, but I guess it's too remote to really do that.<br>
The hot service was a pretty mixed bag.  The main breakfast station was pretty much always cold and frankly not very good.  The omelet bar was OK, and Elizabeth talked the guy working it to make me cheese omelets with American cheese, so that was a win.  I was also surprised that they didn't have more "homemade style" pastries and deserts, but I guess it's too remote to really do that.<br>
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Since I forgot to get pictures when I finished, early Thursday I went out to get pictures at the Bright Angel Trailhead and look at the Rim Trail a bit.<br>
Since I forgot to get pictures when I finished, early Thursday I went out to get pictures at the Bright Angel Trailhead and look at the Rim Trail a bit.<br>


In the evening, we returned to cheer on finishing hikers, and to let Elizabeth hike down the trail a bit, at least to the first tunnel.  It was a bit of a challenger for her, but she really enjoyed it.<br>
==== Videos ====
[[File:IMG_3848.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  <br>
South rim mule trail heading into canyon  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>
==== Pictures ====
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Image:P1080556.JPG|Our room
Image:P1080556.JPG|Our room
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Image:IMG_3938.jpeg|Elizabeth and I at the final Bright Angel tunnel, about 1/2 mile down the trail, just before sunset
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=== Driving Tour of the South Rim ===
=== Driving Tour of the South Rim ===
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Image:P1080599.JPG|Duck on a Rock
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Image:P1080600.JPG|Desert View Park
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Image:IMG_3851.jpeg|The desert view tower (meant to look old/original, but a modern structure)
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Image:IMG_3854.jpeg|Inside the tower
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Image:IMG_1419.jpeg|Pano
Image:IMG_1420.jpeg|Pano
Image:IMG_1421.jpeg|All of us
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Image:P1080845.JPG|More elk
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Image:P1080864.JPG|Duck on a rock
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Image:P1080869.JPG|Grandview Point
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Image:IMG_3920.jpeg|Shoshone Point (there was a wedding party there when we arrived)
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=== Grand Canyon iMax ===
=== Grand Canyon iMax ===
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=== Helicopter Tour - Papillon ===
=== Helicopter Tour - Papillon ===
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The tour itself was pretty cool, we flew out over the Kaibab forest low, maybe 700', and then broke out over the canyon, flying down it's length for awhile, and then got to fly below the rim in a section that is outside of the park.  On the way back we saw a group of bison resting in the park.  Our pilot, Doug, was a former Coast Guard pilot, and put up with a lot of "we're pilots too" questions with a smile on his face.  The fall colors were changing every day, and the weather was gorgeous, so it was a really, really nice flight.<br>
The tour itself was pretty cool, we flew out over the Kaibab forest low, maybe 700', and then broke out over the canyon, flying down it's length for awhile, and then got to fly below the rim in a section that is outside of the park.  On the way back we saw a group of bison resting in the park.  Our pilot, Doug, was a former Coast Guard pilot, and put up with a lot of "we're pilots too" questions with a smile on his face.  The fall colors were changing every day, and the weather was gorgeous, so it was a really, really nice flight.<br>


==== Videos ====
[[File:IMG_1431.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[File:IMG_1432.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[File:IMG_1433.mp4]]  <br>
[[File:IMG_1431.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[File:IMG_1432.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[File:IMG_1433.mp4]]  <br>
Climbing out &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the Kaibab forest &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nearing the canyon <br><br>
Climbing out &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the Kaibab forest &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nearing the canyon <br><br>
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More canyon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; More canyon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the runway <br><br>
More canyon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; More canyon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the runway <br><br>


[[File:IMG_3509.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3521.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3523.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    <br>
Departures &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  Our Departure  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  Flying over pine forest  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  <br><br>
[[File:IMG_3524.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3525.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3528.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    <br>
More Forest &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  More...  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  A big hole  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  <br><br>
[[File:IMG_3531.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3532.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3555.mp4]]<br>
Rafters on the River &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  The Colorado  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Over the River<br><br>
[[File:IMG_3563.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3565.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3566.mp4]]<br>
[[File:IMG_3858.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3863.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3864.mp4]]<br>
Ready to board &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  Liftoff  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Departure<br><br>
[[File:IMG_3865.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3866.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3867.mp4]]<br>
Coming up on the canyon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  OVER the EDGE!  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    The Colorado River <br><br>
[[File:IMG_3871.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3876.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3878.mp4]]<br>
The Colorado River &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  Middle canyon  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Middle canyon <br><br>
[[File:IMG_3880.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3884.mp4]] &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    [[File:IMG_3891.mp4]]<br>
Middle canyon &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  Aspens on north rim  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      <br><br>
[[File:IMG_3895.mp4]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    <br>
Returning to the airport &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;      <br><br>
==== Pictures ====
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Image:EC130_aerials04-SouthRim-EDIT-red-ec-130-flying-over-grand-canyon-south-rim.jpeg|Papillon EC130
Image:EC130_aerials04-SouthRim-EDIT-red-ec-130-flying-over-grand-canyon-south-rim.jpeg|Papillon EC130
Image:IMG_3510.jpeg|Arriving at Papillon
Image:IMG_3513.jpeg|Papillon - Celebrating 30 years
Image:IMG_3514.jpeg|The flight path - We took the Imperial tour
Image:IMG_3515.jpeg|Map
Image:IMG_3516.jpeg|History of Papillon tours
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Image:IMG_1438.jpeg|John and Tammy
Image:IMG_1438.jpeg|John and Tammy
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Image:IMG_1440.jpeg|Elizabeth and Doug, our Coastie
Image:IMG_1440.jpeg|Elizabeth and Doug, our Coastie
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Image:IMG_3533.jpeg|The River
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Image:IMG_1451.jpeg|The Colorado river
Image:IMG_1451.jpeg|The Colorado river
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Image:IMG_1474.jpeg|Colorado River
Image:IMG_1474.jpeg|Colorado River
Image:IMG_1475.jpeg|Colorado River
Image:IMG_1475.jpeg|Colorado River
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Image:IMG_3885.jpeg|Aspen forest
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Image:P1080685.JPG|In this section of the canyon Greg was able to descend below the rim of the canyon for some cool views
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Image:P1080697.JPG|Fall colors in bloom
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Image:P1080700.JPG|The Aspen trees are turning, and they're gorgeous
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Image:P1080706.JPG|The herd is resting
Image:P1080707.JPG|Where the buffalo roam
Image:P1080708.JPG|Bison close-up?
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Image:P1080740.JPG|One last look at the river
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Image:P1080753.JPG|The Flightline
Image:P1080754.JPG|"Our" EC130


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[[Image:P1080650.JPG]]<br>
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[[Image:P1080668.JPG]]<br>
[[Image:P1080669.JPG]]<br>


=== Sunset Humvee Tour - Buck Wild  ===
=== Sunset Humvee Tour - Buck Wild  ===
The other half of our Papillon tour was the sunset Hummer/HumVee tour.  I'd oringally looked at the "[https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/tours/grand-canyon-tours Pink Jeep]" tours that appear to be favored (and offered through) the park, but in those you are seated down the sides looking at the other tour guests (in relatively narrow looking seats).  When I was looking at the [https://www.papillon.com/grand-canyon-national-park/helicopter-air-tours/imperial-with-ecostar Papillon Helo Tours], however, they partnered up with (actually I think they own both) the "[https://buckwildhummertours.com/hummer-tours/the-signature-sunset/ Buck Wild Hummer" Tours] folks.  Not only did their seats seem more generous, you get to see where you're going, and look outside the vehicle more easily.  That seemed like the way to go, and they're located close to each other.<br>
As I mentioned in the section above about our morning drive down the south rim to Desert View, we covered some of this ground on our own, but the tour was still fun and worth doing.  Our tour guide ("Sam") was really friendly and personable, and seemed (at least initially) pretty knowledgeable.  He'd previously been with Pink Jeep, but apparently most of the housing in Tusayan and the "near canyon" areas is owned by the operating companies, and Pink Jeep wouldn't allow him to keep his mom's cat.  Bummer.  Anyway, the first part of the tour was a little repetitive, because we had been there in the morning, and we did have to make a stop to pick up a family in the park (which would've saved us a bit of time if we'd known that was an option).<br>
But, once we got "on tour" proper, we visited the Hopi House and El Tovar, which was OK.  The Hopi House was mostly a gift shop, but it was a neat building in the native Hopi style.  El Tovar was also interesting, and super dark, but some of the stories our guide had told us about Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders were contested by the folks running the museum there.  This made us wonder about some of the other interesting "facts" that our guide gave us, some of which are below:<br>
* The red color of the canyon is because of a layer of Iron in the soil
* This iron is why the older pines (after 25 years?) become dark redish/brown (and smell like waffles)
* The Grand Canyon area gets hit by lightening more than any other place in the USA (on earth?  I don't recall exactly)
* Pine trees that are hit by lightening, and are not killed, have a yellow stripe running up-and-down the bark that never goes away, but the strike and healing process makes them much stronger<br>
Watching the sunset over the canyon was nice, and really brought the colors out.  It was getting a bit crisp, though, so it was nice that they closed up the plastic sides of the hummer for the ride back.  Afterwards when stopped at "[https://wecookpizzaandpasta.com/ We Cook Pizza and Pasta]" for dinner.<br>
[[File:IMG_1688.mp4]] &nbsp;<br>
Nearing Sunset


<hovergallery maxhoverwidth=1200 maxhoverheight=1024>
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Image:xxx.jpeg|
Image:P1080755.JPG|Buckwild!
Image:P1080756.JPG|We
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Image:P1080758.JPG|all
Image:P1080759.JPG|Buck
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Image:P1080763.JPG|HQ
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Image:P1080764.JPG|We Cook Pizza
Image:P1080765.JPG|The general store
Image:P1080775.JPG|"Don't start forest fires"
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Image:P1080778.JPG|The line to get into the park
Image:P1080779.JPG|Fee Schedule
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Image:IMG_1566.jpeg|"Sam", our guide
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Image:P1080802.JPG|Bright Angel Lodge
Image:IMG_1567.jpeg|Elizabeth and I looking pleased
Image:IMG_1568.jpeg|eBeth, Tammy, and JT
Image:IMG_1569.jpeg|The south rim mule pen - is much larger than the one on the north rim
Image:IMG_1570.jpeg|Me in front of the Hopi House... I hope...
 
Image:IMG_1571.jpeg|Hopi House
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Image:IMG_3898.jpeg|John at Hopi House
 
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Image:P1080797.JPG|El Tovar
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Image:IMG_1574.jpeg|El Tovar Hotel
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Image:IMG_1576.jpeg|Inside the El Tovar
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Image:P1080817.JPG|Indian Gardens
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Image:IMG_1585.jpeg|Elizabeth and Sam, our guide
Image:IMG_1586.jpeg|[https://www.mygrandcanyonpark.com/things-to-do/wildlife/mule-deer/ Elk] - the Mule Deer have big ears
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Image:IMG_1593.jpeg|Tammy
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Image:IMG_1597.jpeg|The whole gang
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Image:IMG_1629.jpeg|We met a guy with a scope that showed us the river and bridge from outside of Hermit's rest, and he told us there would be astronomy/stargazing event that night at the Visitor's Center
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Image:P1080882.JPG|Back into the Hummer
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Image:P1080887.JPG|The yellow scarring indicative of a lightening strike
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Image:P1080890.JPG|The mighty Colorado
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Image:P1080894.JPG|The Spanish (Conquistadors) discovered the canyon with the help of the Hopi Tribe
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Image:IMG_3899.jpeg|Duck on a Rock
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Image:P1080900.JPG|The sun setting
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</hovergallery>
</hovergallery>




[[Image:xxxx.jpeg]]<br>
=== Dinner at "Plaza Bonita, Tusayan, AZ ===
On Friday we had dinner at the [https://plazabonita.com/ Plaza Bonita, Tusayan] based on the recommendation of our tour guide Sam...  Food recommendations are not, as they say, "Sam's thing".  I was not impressed.  Nor, near as I could tell at least, were my dinner mates.  The food looked good, the portions where generous, and the chips and salsa were OUTSTANDING.  Take my advice and stick with the chips and salsa.  Even the cheese dip was not good.  Honestly.  I would lie to you about cheese dip, it's not in me.<br>
 
<hovergallery maxhoverwidth=1200 maxhoverheight=1024>
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Image:IMG_1736.jpeg|Dinner with John and Tammy Trenaman, and Elizabeth at We Cook
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</hovergallery>
 




<br>
<br>
Go back to [[[Wednesday 25 September 2024|Wednesday the 25th]] or on to [[Friday 27 September 2024|Friday the 27th]]<br>
Go back to [[Wednesday 25 September 2024|Wednesday the 25th]] or on to [[Friday 27 September 2024|Friday the 27th]]<br>

Latest revision as of 16:48, 24 October 2024

Sunday the 22nd  |  Monday the 23rd  |  Tuesday the 24th  |  Wednesday the 25th  |  Thursday the 26th  |  Friday the 27th  |  Saturday the 28th  |  Sunday the 29th  |  

Thursday 26 September - Elizabeth's Birthday!

Maswik Lodge and the Bright Angel Trailhead/Rim Trail

Birthday cake.png

Our stay on the south rim was at Maswik. John and Tammy scored a room in the newer soyth section (with elevators!), while were in "Aspen" in the north section. The main lodge building has a gift shop and a food court with several hot service stations, and a separate "Pizza Pub" restaurant.

The hot service was a pretty mixed bag. The main breakfast station was pretty much always cold and frankly not very good. The omelet bar was OK, and Elizabeth talked the guy working it to make me cheese omelets with American cheese, so that was a win. I was also surprised that they didn't have more "homemade style" pastries and deserts, but I guess it's too remote to really do that.

Since I forgot to get pictures when I finished, early Thursday I went out to get pictures at the Bright Angel Trailhead and look at the Rim Trail a bit.

In the evening, we returned to cheer on finishing hikers, and to let Elizabeth hike down the trail a bit, at least to the first tunnel. It was a bit of a challenger for her, but she really enjoyed it.

Videos

    
South rim mule trail heading into canyon     

Pictures

  • Our room

    Our room

  • Our room

    Our room

  • The Maswik Lodge Food Court

    The Maswik Lodge Food Court

  • The Maswik Lodge Food Court

    The Maswik Lodge Food Court

  • Maswik Lodge

    Maswik Lodge

  • The Aspen set of rooms

    The Aspen set of rooms

  • Wildlife abounds

    Wildlife abounds

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  • The Bright Angel Trailhead is close to Maswik

    The Bright Angel Trailhead is close to Maswik

  • Hermit's rest bus station is also close by Maswik and the BA Trailhead

    Hermit's rest bus station is also close by Maswik and the BA Trailhead

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  • P1080569.JPG
  • The Rim Trail and BA Trailhead are really close to our lodge

    The Rim Trail and BA Trailhead are really close to our lodge

  • Bright Angel Trailhead

    Bright Angel Trailhead

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  • Me at the Trailhead, at last!

    Me at the Trailhead, at last!

  • Looking down the Bright Angel

    Looking down the Bright Angel

  • Me at the Trailhead

    Me at the Trailhead

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  • John and Tammy at the Trailhead

    John and Tammy at the Trailhead

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  • All three of us Rim2Rim hikers

    All three of us Rim2Rim hikers

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  • P1080588.JPG
  • The BA Trailhead toilets

    The BA Trailhead toilets

  • Looking into the canyon from the BA Trailhead

    Looking into the canyon from the BA Trailhead

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  • Elizabeth and I at the final Bright Angel tunnel, about 1/2 mile down the trail, just before sunset

    Elizabeth and I at the final Bright Angel tunnel, about 1/2 mile down the trail, just before sunset

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  • IMG 3940.jpeg

Driving Tour of the South Rim

We had some extra time in the morning so we loaded up Bev ("Beverly" was our Chrysler rented mini van) and drove out to Desert View, and stopped a few of the other overlooks on the way. As it turn out, we would visit some of these same places on the "Buck Wild" Humvee tour, but not Desert View, so I'm glad we did.

Desert View itself is neat, but it's a modern structure trying to look old, much like Hermits Rest is.

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  • These buses run all over the south rim

    These buses run all over the south rim

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  • Duck on a Rock

    Duck on a Rock

  • Hermit's rest

    Hermit's rest

  • Desert View Park

    Desert View Park

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  • The desert view tower (meant to look old/original, but a modern structure)

    The desert view tower (meant to look old/original, but a modern structure)

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  • Inside the tower

    Inside the tower

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  • Pano

    Pano

  • Pano

    Pano

  • All of us

    All of us

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  • More elk

    More elk

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  • Duck on a rock

    Duck on a rock

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  • Grandview Point

    Grandview Point

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  • Shoshone Point (there was a wedding party there when we arrived)

    Shoshone Point (there was a wedding party there when we arrived)

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Grand Canyon iMax

I don't have pictures of the iMax ("Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time"), I'm mostly just mentioning it because we stopped here for the show on the way to the Papillon helicopter tour, being it was in Tusayan just up the road. The show was entertaining, but mostly about John Wesley Powell's navigation of the Colorado river than anything else. Later we watched the show at the GC Visitor's Center (free) as well, and it touched more on the formation of the canyon and the native American connection, so they're probably both worth doing.

  • These maps were in the foyer of the iMax

    These maps were in the foyer of the iMax

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  • The iMax

    The iMax

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Helicopter Tour - Papillon

One of the things I really wanted to do was take the helicopter tour. I wasn't sure when or if I'd ever be back, so I really wanted to take in the entire canyon experience, sospending time on both rims was part of that, but so was seeing it by air. Fortunately John and both our wives were onboard with that, because it is a bit pricey, but it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

I picked Papillon, and their Ecostar EC130 hour long "Imperial" tour, because the big new helicopter with large windows seemed like it would offer the best experience. As a bonus, you could could get it with a sunset Humvee tour the same day. These both were starting in Tusayan, which is also where the iMax and "We Cook" Pizza & Pasta was, so it kind of made a day of it. The pizza was expensive and plentiful, and since I'd finished my hike I was taking a birthday break from the low-carb lifestyle and gorged myself.

The tour itself was pretty cool, we flew out over the Kaibab forest low, maybe 700', and then broke out over the canyon, flying down it's length for awhile, and then got to fly below the rim in a section that is outside of the park. On the way back we saw a group of bison resting in the park. Our pilot, Doug, was a former Coast Guard pilot, and put up with a lot of "we're pilots too" questions with a smile on his face. The fall colors were changing every day, and the weather was gorgeous, so it was a really, really nice flight.

Videos

         
Climbing out      Over the Kaibab forest      Nearing the canyon

         
The canyon and river      I'm enjoying the ride      Below the rim

         
More canyon      More canyon      Over the runway

              
Departures      Our Departure      Flying over pine forest     

              
More Forest      More...      A big hole     

              
Rafters on the River      The Colorado      Over the River

              

              
Ready to board      Liftoff      Departure

              
Coming up on the canyon      OVER the EDGE!      The Colorado River

              
The Colorado River      Middle canyon      Middle canyon

              
Middle canyon      Aspens on north rim     

              
Returning to the airport          

Pictures

  • Papillon EC130

    Papillon EC130

  • Arriving at Papillon

    Arriving at Papillon

  • Papillon - Celebrating 30 years

    Papillon - Celebrating 30 years

  • The flight path - We took the Imperial tour

    The flight path - We took the Imperial tour

  • Map

    Map

  • History of Papillon tours

    History of Papillon tours

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  • The gang's all here

    The gang's all here

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  • Don't stand on the toilet?? Who does that?

    Don't stand on the toilet?? Who does that?

  • Arriving at the airport

    Arriving at the airport

  • The terminal

    The terminal

  • Fleet of EC130 helos

    Fleet of EC130 helos

  • And some old Jet Rangers from the 80's

    And some old Jet Rangers from the 80's

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  • Getting ready to board

    Getting ready to board

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  • Greg, our pilot

    Greg, our pilot

  • Checking out the sectional

    Checking out the sectional

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  • John and Tammy up front

    John and Tammy up front

  • The terminal from the flightline

    The terminal from the flightline

  • Departing

    Departing

  • Climbing out

    Climbing out

  • We're collectively flying...

    We're collectively flying...

  • Coming up on the canyon

    Coming up on the canyon

  • Kaibab forest

    Kaibab forest

  • Our hero

    Our hero

  • John and Tammy

    John and Tammy

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  • Elizabeth and Doug, our Coastie

    Elizabeth and Doug, our Coastie

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  • The River

    The River

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  • The Colorado river

    The Colorado river

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  • Colorado River

    Colorado River

  • Colorado River

    Colorado River

  • Colorado River

    Colorado River

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  • Aspen forest

    Aspen forest

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  • In this section of the canyon Greg was able to descend below the rim of the canyon for some cool views

    In this section of the canyon Greg was able to descend below the rim of the canyon for some cool views

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  • Fall colors in bloom

    Fall colors in bloom

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  • The Aspen trees are turning, and they're gorgeous

    The Aspen trees are turning, and they're gorgeous

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  • The herd is resting

    The herd is resting

  • Where the buffalo roam

    Where the buffalo roam

  • Bison close-up?

    Bison close-up?

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  • One last look at the river

    One last look at the river

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  • The Flightline

    The Flightline

  • "Our" EC130

    "Our" EC130

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  • Me!

    Me!

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  • Bison!

    Bison!

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  • Another helicopter outbound

    Another helicopter outbound

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  • Greg let Elizabeth check out the sectional for the canyon, with it's restricted airspace

    Greg let Elizabeth check out the sectional for the canyon, with it's restricted airspace

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  • Flying back into Gran Canyon airport

    Flying back into Gran Canyon airport

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  • Our chopper

    Our chopper

  • The gang's all here

    The gang's all here

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  • Our ground crew/helicopter loader

    Our ground crew/helicopter loader

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Sunset Humvee Tour - Buck Wild

The other half of our Papillon tour was the sunset Hummer/HumVee tour. I'd oringally looked at the "Pink Jeep" tours that appear to be favored (and offered through) the park, but in those you are seated down the sides looking at the other tour guests (in relatively narrow looking seats). When I was looking at the Papillon Helo Tours, however, they partnered up with (actually I think they own both) the "Buck Wild Hummer" Tours folks. Not only did their seats seem more generous, you get to see where you're going, and look outside the vehicle more easily. That seemed like the way to go, and they're located close to each other.

As I mentioned in the section above about our morning drive down the south rim to Desert View, we covered some of this ground on our own, but the tour was still fun and worth doing. Our tour guide ("Sam") was really friendly and personable, and seemed (at least initially) pretty knowledgeable. He'd previously been with Pink Jeep, but apparently most of the housing in Tusayan and the "near canyon" areas is owned by the operating companies, and Pink Jeep wouldn't allow him to keep his mom's cat. Bummer. Anyway, the first part of the tour was a little repetitive, because we had been there in the morning, and we did have to make a stop to pick up a family in the park (which would've saved us a bit of time if we'd known that was an option).

But, once we got "on tour" proper, we visited the Hopi House and El Tovar, which was OK. The Hopi House was mostly a gift shop, but it was a neat building in the native Hopi style. El Tovar was also interesting, and super dark, but some of the stories our guide had told us about Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders were contested by the folks running the museum there. This made us wonder about some of the other interesting "facts" that our guide gave us, some of which are below:

  • The red color of the canyon is because of a layer of Iron in the soil
  • This iron is why the older pines (after 25 years?) become dark redish/brown (and smell like waffles)
  • The Grand Canyon area gets hit by lightening more than any other place in the USA (on earth? I don't recall exactly)
  • Pine trees that are hit by lightening, and are not killed, have a yellow stripe running up-and-down the bark that never goes away, but the strike and healing process makes them much stronger

Watching the sunset over the canyon was nice, and really brought the colors out. It was getting a bit crisp, though, so it was nice that they closed up the plastic sides of the hummer for the ride back. Afterwards when stopped at "We Cook Pizza and Pasta" for dinner.

 
Nearing Sunset

  • Buckwild!

    Buckwild!

  • We

    We

  • are

    are

  • all

    all

  • Buck

    Buck

  • Wild

    Wild

  • HQ

    HQ

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  • We Cook Pizza

    We Cook Pizza

  • The general store

    The general store

  • "Don't start forest fires"

    "Don't start forest fires"

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  • The line to get into the park

    The line to get into the park

  • Fee Schedule

    Fee Schedule

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  • "Sam", our guide

    "Sam", our guide

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  • Bright Angel Lodge

    Bright Angel Lodge

  • Elizabeth and I looking pleased

    Elizabeth and I looking pleased

  • eBeth, Tammy, and JT

    eBeth, Tammy, and JT

  • The south rim mule pen - is much larger than the one on the north rim

    The south rim mule pen - is much larger than the one on the north rim

  • Me in front of the Hopi House... I hope...

    Me in front of the Hopi House... I hope...

  • Hopi House

    Hopi House

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  • John at Hopi House

    John at Hopi House

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  • El Tovar

    El Tovar

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  • El Tovar Hotel

    El Tovar Hotel

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  • Inside the El Tovar

    Inside the El Tovar

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  • Indian Gardens

    Indian Gardens

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  • Elizabeth and Sam, our guide

    Elizabeth and Sam, our guide

  • Elk - the Mule Deer have big ears

    Elk - the Mule Deer have big ears

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  • Tammy

    Tammy

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  • The whole gang

    The whole gang

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  • We met a guy with a scope that showed us the river and bridge from outside of Hermit's rest, and he told us there would be astronomy/stargazing event that night at the Visitor's Center

    We met a guy with a scope that showed us the river and bridge from outside of Hermit's rest, and he told us there would be astronomy/stargazing event that night at the Visitor's Center

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  • Back into the Hummer

    Back into the Hummer

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  • The yellow scarring indicative of a lightening strike

    The yellow scarring indicative of a lightening strike

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  • The mighty Colorado

    The mighty Colorado

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  • The Spanish (Conquistadors) discovered the canyon with the help of the Hopi Tribe

    The Spanish (Conquistadors) discovered the canyon with the help of the Hopi Tribe

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  • Duck on a Rock

    Duck on a Rock

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  • The sun setting

    The sun setting

  • Sunset

    Sunset

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Dinner at "Plaza Bonita, Tusayan, AZ

On Friday we had dinner at the Plaza Bonita, Tusayan based on the recommendation of our tour guide Sam... Food recommendations are not, as they say, "Sam's thing". I was not impressed. Nor, near as I could tell at least, were my dinner mates. The food looked good, the portions where generous, and the chips and salsa were OUTSTANDING. Take my advice and stick with the chips and salsa. Even the cheese dip was not good. Honestly. I would lie to you about cheese dip, it's not in me.

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  • Dinner with John and Tammy Trenaman, and Elizabeth at We Cook

    Dinner with John and Tammy Trenaman, and Elizabeth at We Cook

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Go back to Wednesday the 25th or on to Friday the 27th

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