Day 33: Thursday, May 15th
From Monument Valley, UT to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, AZ
Distance: 270 miles; Time: 5.5 hours
Total Distance to Date: 2,473 miles
Route Taken: We left Monument Valley on hwy 163 heading south. We joined hwy 160 turning southwest at Kayenta, AZ. From there we drove to Tuba City, AZ. and picked up hwy 89 heading north, then onto hwy 89A at Marble Canyon. Once past the Vermillion Cliffs, we had steep inclines to pull in the RV. It was serious stuff! Hairpin turns while trying to get up speed to make the grade was knuckle whitening. We also noticed there were no guard rails. Finally, we made it to Jacob Lake and turned onto hwy 67 south toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Our destination. Whew! Big sigh of relief!
There were beautiful flowers blooming on the side of the road. They're called scorpion weed, as their leaves look like stingers similar to scorpion. Some folks are allergic to them.
The road along hwy 160 was fairly smooth and not too difficult to drive in the RV. (meaning not too steep or hilly)
At Tuba City, we pulled off the side of the road to have lunch, but couldn't really find a place to park the RV at the restaurant. We ended up going down a side street and starting the generator and heating up left-overs.
As we turned north at hwy 89, the soil changed and appeared variegated here. Looked just like sand dunes. The road has also deteriorated somewhat.
Heading toward the Vermillion Cliffs.
Heading down to cross the Colorado River near Lees Ferry.
Skirting around the Vermillion Cliffs on hwy 89A.
Now we began that terrible climb up the mountain where everyone got really quiet and tense til we reached the top.
We made it. Immediately, we saw large forests of Ponderosa Pines.
Once we entered the North Rim area of the park, we saw large fields with snow still hiding in the shaded spots. We also spotted some deer in the meadows, but no bison.
Our home for the next few days. This was dry camping, meaning, we had no electricity, sewage or water. We could use our generator for 2 hours in the AM and 2 in the PM only. Otherwise, it was very quiet here. Lovely. Everyone was so friendly and helpful.
Adam made friends with the campers next door. He came running back to explain to me they were homeschoolers and boy scouts too! He was in heaven.
Once camp was set up and the RV was leveled, Natalie and I took the car up to the Grand Canyon Lodge to check out Bright Angels Landing.
Still impressive.
Here's the trail you take to get out there. WOW.
We're really looking forward to exploring the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The temperatures are supposed to be wonderful. Highs in mid 70s, lows in mid 40s. No rain. Perfect.
Our only problem seems to be allergies. Everyone is sniffing and congested. Maybe allergies or the effects of the high altitude. Don't know, but no one had much energy today.
Also, there was no cell coverage here either. The only wifi was located at the Rim grocery store at the campground, which literally took an hour to upload about 20 pictures for the blog. I had no access to email either for some unknown reason.
Definitely, the North Rim had specific advantages over the South Rim. Not as crowded. Not as built up. Rustic. Impressive.
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