How Grand Was My Canyon

Okay, the next day we left Kayenta and headed westward again through the vast Navajo Nation. As we drove along U.S. 160 also known as the Navajo Trail, we passed a spot where a huge overhead conveyor crossed the road from south to north. From there on for many miles the road was paralleled by a set of railway tracks which, judging by their power poles and wires, were for electrically powered trains. I later found out that this was an isolated railroad which existed to bring coal from the huge Black Mesa open pit mine to the Navajo Generating Station near Lake Powell. The coal crossed U.S. 160 on the conveyor and was then loaded on rail cars for the trip to the power plant. Incidentally, the power plant also supplies electricity to run the line's electric locomotives.

But onward to the Grand Canyon. We entered the park from the east and started stopping at lookout points and taking pictures:

Our first view of the Grand Canyon, near the eastern edge of the park

A better view of the Colorado River from the same area

Michelle and I on the walkway in the main part of the park. A friendly young Russian couple took the picture for us.

A view of the canyon from the main part of the park.

Me, standing near the edge. Michelle kept saying: "Step back just a little further."

A panoramic video of the canyon taken by Michelle. Probably better than any of the pictures it gives an idea of the enormous size of the canyon

I'm not going to include anymore photos of the canyon. Many people have, I'm sure, seen it for themselves and there have been about a bazillion documentaries on TV and magazine articles with photos much better than anything I could take.

We stopped at various lookout points, walked along the rim trail, and took a shuttle bus to the farthest westward viewing point in the park. Along the way we ate at the park cafeteria. I recommend it for good food and reasonable prices. There was also an interesting exhibit center explaining some of the geology of the canyon.

Finally, as the day drew to a close, we drove south to our motel for the night, and a good night's sleep in preparation for our next day's adventure.

For dinner that night in the tiny town of Tusayan AZ we made the mistake of stopping at a place called "We Cook Pizza and Pasta". It was awful. When Michelle inquired if there was any other type of pasta beside spaghetti (i.e. ziti, penne, etc.) the counterman volunteered that they had macaroni and cheese. Enough said.

Next: Sedona AZ