MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS

Sunday, November 2, 2014

{Hiking Part of Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon}

Yes we did go down this 9 mile trail for a couple of miles... Just to get a taste how it feels like, descending the steep, around 15% incline, narrow path.

Tuesday, September 2nd we're on the Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon...

Yes... Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon - America’s Most Dangerous Hikes ←click it.

We are aware of this dangerous hike, so we only did stay for about 2 hours on the trail; that is down and the hardest part, climbing back up!

Starting at 6,840 ft or 2,085 m and soon you will see the Upper Tunnel, mentioned at the top.

You can find the above info in Grand Canyon National Park's Pdf on pages 13 and 14, just click the pink link.

Here we both look down onto other hikers, passing through the Upper Tunnel...

When mules pass, stand to the inside of trail and follow mule guides instructions...
We were lucky as no mule passed!

Now it's me, reaching the Upper Tunnel.

The trail is wide open, into the depth that is...

Pieter, standing next to the same rocks that he did capture on camera in the previous photo.

13 minutes later I took this photo of Pieter with the Nikon, a sign just before some steep hair-pin bends!

Do you see the trail ahead of us?
Look at that line in the center of the photo...

Here again you can see the trail in the center of this photo, taken two minutes later...

Pieter ahead on the trail, looking at the vast view of the Grand Canyon.
Different behind each bend we take, winding down to the bottom where the Colorado river runs.

Three minutes later, Pieter gave up and sat down but I wanted to still see what's around the next bend!
Pieter argued that our way back up would even be harder!!!

Six minutes into my solo descend I saw this...

Tempting to go on...
In Every Walk With Nature One Receives Far More Than He Seeks ~ John Muir...

A perfect quote!

Do you see the two red ◄? That's where I somewhere left Pieter behind and you can see people on the trail...

Okay, enough... so I climb back up and find Pieter still sitting there.
Both of us went back up and it was good we had plenty of water in our small back packs and also some salty snacks.
We did rest at Bright Angel Lodge, with a coffee and snack, before we walked back to our Maswik Lodge where Pieter took his well earned nap!

Related links:
Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail 360 panorama view from the bottom up; select 8x speed...
BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL - History info and photo showing steep switchbacks further down...
{Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour} | previous post by me

{Riding the Grand Canyon Railway} | previous post by me

{1881 Williams, Arizona - Gateway to Grand Canyon & Wild West} | previous post by me

Friday, October 31, 2014

{200 Countries Visited and link Back to Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour}

Only 21 days after 199 Countries Visited, the newest country flag of Vanuatu showed up on October 30...

Somehow I messed up my previous post while I was on the road yesterday; releasing the newer post too soon. SORRY about that! When you are off to the funeral of a good friend who left to heaven at just the age of 65... it takes your mind off a bit.

Here is the link to click on, for going right back to it again: {Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour} ←click it!

Welcome Vanuatu as my 200th different country!
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Thanks to all of my humble readers, all over the world!

{Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach Tour}

From the scenic Grand Canyon Railway train ride, we did board onto the Grand Canyon South Rim Motorcoach, for viewing the different lookout points.

This was all included in our Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel package!

Husband Pieter viewing the AMAZING Grand Canyon...

So glad we did also add this Grand Canyon Motorcoach Tour ←(click it) to our hotel and train package! Below, you will find links about previous Grand Canyon posts.

The ULTIMATE ADVENTURE measures: 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and an average depth of one mile!

No photo can actually capture what you experience while standing at one of the Grand Canyon South Rim's view points...

SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES ←click it.

Grand Canyon Village Shuttle Bus Routes, Points of Interest ←click to open pdf
FREE Shuttle Bus in Grand Canyon Village!!!

This is such a bus stop; Mohave Point and you can see it on the map above, better of course from the Pdf.

This is the view at Mohave point... you better wear good shoes for safety and don't go too close to the rim!

Not bad from my iPad...
Mohave Point, Grand Canyon National Park ←click to see almost identical photo.

Husband Pieter captured me with our Nikon...

Here I am almost out on a limb when taking this photo with my iPad...

You can see Mohave Point marked yellow on this Pdf map from Grand Canyon National Park - The official news paper; just click link and select page 7.

Still at Mohave Point, taken with Nikon.
Do you see the Colorado river also to the right, above the red rocks?

Another iPad shot from the red limestone rocks.

Looking down at the Colorado river...

Always climbing over rough terrain...

Pieter holding on to his cap! It flew away once and I just could retrieve it...

We have been so lucky with the weather during our entire 7 days in Arizona!

Talking about winds that make your cap fly away; Hopi Point is at an elevation of 7,071 feet or 2,155 meters.

The above and following photos at Hopi Point, I took with the Nikon camera while Pieter sat down on the curb for a rest.

Amazing views and it is SO HUGE!

Since this was on Sunday, Labor Day weekend, there were lots of people at the Grand Canyon.
These photos I managed to take without anyone obstructing the view.

Hopefully this did give you a little impression of the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
Thanks for watching...

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

{Riding the Grand Canyon Railway}

We did ride the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon where also the United States oldest log depot is still in use!

Pieter is inspecting the locomotive's engines...

Historic Wild West costumes...

Pieter took a 'WeFie' with the iPad, as we are now happily riding the train...

The Marshal from the Wild West Shootout, did also board the train since there will be a mock robbery on the way back at 5:00 PM...

Roaming Western Singers are also part of this fully narrated train ride.
This lady is playing a Hohner Tyrolean III 72 Accordion...

You can here her at 3:50 minute into this video: Welcome to the Grand Canyon Railway

This 2 hours and 15 minute ride brings you past prairies, wooded area and desert like landscapes, ever changing.
In the center, at the very top, you just can see the home of an Arizona rancher...

A water hole (top left, off center) for their cattle... just like in the Old West Cowboy movies.

Here we are rolling into the State Park of the Grand Canyon with Grand Canyon Village and the United States oldest, still working log depot!

Disembarked at the Grand Canyon Depot...
Very convenient indeed, from the historic 1910 Grand Canyon Depot it is just climbing some steps up, towards the historic El Tovar Hotel and to the Grand Canyon's South Rim...
GRAND CANYON RAILWAY DEPOT ←click it to see the actual historic log depot!

We both will take a Motor Coach to tour the Grand Canyon's South Rim and next day we did drive back by car, for a 2-night stay at Maswik Lodge in Grand Canyon Village.