Last week, in the middle of the COVID pandemic, my friend Gina and I drove over to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. We wore our masks and stayed 6 feet away from people, quite the pain. On the way over we stopped at Lake Havasu State Park; sand, wild cactus, blue water and more!
A saguaro cactus, one of those crazy cactus that looks like a person!
That would be me, Rocking the Wagon Wheels!
Parker Dam, so huge, so amazing. I wanted to dive right in, but decided it was too risky. My old age is catching up on me and I am becoming more timid!
I behaved myself, probably because I was with Gina, and didn't even jump in the fountain at Lake Havasu City in Arizona.
This is the London Bridge that was originally built in 1830 over the River Thames in England. Way back in 1967 the bridge was dismantled and relocated to Lake Havasu City. The bridge links an island in the Colorado River with the main part of Lake Havasu City. And I didn't even jump off the bridge into the Colorado River, although I thought about it. If my son David was with me, he would have done it.
This is Gina, enjoying a banana icee in a phone booth!
After Lake Havasu City, we drove over to Williams, Arizona and stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. It was sooooo fun! Lots of old trains and history surround this old fashioned town. That would be me, up on an old train, looking down and wondering why I climbed up there.
How is it that trains age so beautifully but I struggle with old age, and all the lovely things that go with the process! God loves me in spite of my age, color, or gender. He made me unique.
I like that very much.
We left my Subaru in Williams, and took the Grand Canyon Railway over to the park. So nice not to worry about parking and traffic. The depot is just a short walk up to the South Rim. This is my pretty friend Gina, after her very first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. She was in awe!
I first visited the Grand Canyon in 2005 when I got a job at the North Rim. Since that time, I have visited both the North and South Rim several times.
It was not that hot or crowded which made it very nice to view the canyon. However, even though I didn't dive into the Parker dam, or get into the Lake Havasu fountain, or jump from the bridge into the Colorado River, I did splash in the water faucet in the bathroom to cool down.
The Hopi House was built in 1905 and was modeled after the 10,000 year old pueblo dwellings of the Hopi village in Old Orabai. Mary Colter, one of the few female architects of her time, was hired as the architect to build an Indian Arts Building, and that she did.
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most visited attractions in the country. The canyon is a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide, and about 277 miles long. It is also one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Now if you haven't seen it, I hope you get at least one chance in your lifetime to visit Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona!
So many colors, and rock formations in one place. So amazing!
After the Grand Canyon, we stopped in Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona, one of my favorite camping spots. Love the reflection in the still water!
Oak Creek Canyon is south of Flagstaff, and is one of the prettiest canyons I have seen.
After Oak Creek Canyon, we stopped in Sedona to photograph the red rock formations and shop in the little town. Sedona is a bit of a strange place, but I love all the red rock everywhere.
Thank you Gina for a wonderful trip! So much fun!