The North Rim

Heading into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon some 50 miles down AZ 67.  This section passes thru Nation Forest land with open camping.  Stopped for the night just north of the entrance on the side of the gravel road into De Mote Campground.  Made reservations there for the following night.  Nice spot, a little different than the Vegas Strip (Vegas and Arizona Strips)


The entrance to the park is just 10 miles away, with deer and bison along the roadside, but then it’s another 10 inside the park to the Visitors Center.



Downloaded the scooter for the ride up to the view points above.  Made it to 8800 feet for some awesome views at Point Imperial.



But on the way down it started to hail and then it really let loose.  Shorts and a T shirt were soaked thru with still nearly 20 mi to shelter.  Didn’t make it to Mt Royal.  Bob and Susan may claim 127 miles as the distance record, but 20 miles in hail all above 8000’ is not fun!



Now back at the RV, cold and wet and the generator won’t start.  Cannot find the adjustment for this elevation on the darn thing.  So it’s batteries and the propane furnace.
Zion tomorrow!

Leaving Las Vegas

Leaving the Vegas Strip behind was not all that hard for me to do.  Crowds, noise, lights, traffic, fun … in a hedonistic sorta way.  The structures are really quite amazing, but then so is the desert.


Climbing up the Kaibab Plateau to the vast Arizona Strip.    Here’s a view of the from the Pipe Springs National Monument of the emptiness of the Arizona Strip.


Leaving the 90+ heat of the valley behind made the climb into the Kaibab Nation Forest.  Trading the parking lot of Cicrus Circus ($65 night) for a wide spot on a Nation Forest Road (free).   At over 8000’ this down right chilly - now this is my style!  No cell service, internet, tv – a bizzion stars, pine trees, fresh air.  I’ll take it!

The gotchya is there is a conference call tomorrow where I could learn what the company benefits package will be for the coming year and how to sign up …  If there’s service at the North Rim Village I will call in, if not I’ll find out some other time.  
After a breakfast of Huevos Rancheros overlooking the canyon I found a spot on the rim and listened to the conference.


Only have the rest of the day here, time to get out and enjoy it.