El Mirage, AZ Sunset

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle is a settlement built by the Southern Sinagua, a prehistoric culture that once flourished in the Verde Valley of central Arizona.The Southern Sinagua were skilled farmers growing corn, beans, squash, and cotton.

Grand Canyon NP on Kaibab Trail Shuttle Route

Our 2nd day in the park we took the Kaibab Trail/green route shuttle to the eastern side of the south rim. This photo was taken at Yaki Point view point.

The Grand Canyon overwhelms your senses. Its story tells of geologic processes played out over unimaginable time spans as a unique combination of size, color, & erosional forms...277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.

Grand Canyon NP Village

Grand Canyon National Park

Good view of the Colorado river from viewpoint along the Hermits Rest shuttle route. By 5 or 6 million years ago the Colorado River flowed across the Colorado Plateau on its way from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. Each rain washed desert soil into the river. The heavy sedimented river created a powerful tool for erosion.

West end point of the Hermits Rest shuttle. Stop offers great vistas and small gift shop.

Views along Hermits Rest Route

The red shuttle bus route, called Hermits Rest Route, takes you 7 miles west along the south rim from the Grand Canyon Village. The horses & mules are heading back up to the south rim on the Bright Angel trail. The trail head is in the Grand Canyon Village area.

We saw several Big Horn Sheep during our stay. One of the shuttle drivers said he hadn't seen one in 2 yrs, so maybe we were just lucky.

Grand Canyon NP view at Mather Point

Mather Point is close to Canyon View Information Plaza.

We are standing on the south rim of the canyon. Behind us is the north rim, which is about 10 miles away. The drive to the north rim from the south rim is 215 miles.

Arriving at Grand Canyon National Park

The south rim entrance to the Grand Canyon is located about 50 miles north of Williams, AZ.

This mule deer & several of his brothers welcomed us at Trailer Village inside the NP.

We were warned to watch out for the wild pigs, because they do not like dogs. A small dog was attacked by one of these fellows the day before we arrive.

The free shuttle bus system throughout the park is great. This is the shuttle bus stop right at the entrance to Trailer Village, where we stayed.

London Bridge Lake Havasu City, AZ

Lake Havasu's London Bridge spanned the Thames River for about 80 years before being dismantled and brought piece by piece to Arizona in 1964.

Jan and Ted on the canal front over which London Bridge was rebuilt. Water way is part of Lake Havasu.

If you build it they will come. The moved & reconstructed bridge is the #2 most visited site in Arizona...2nd to the Grand Canyon

Highway AZ 95 between Parker & Lake Havasu City

Lake Havasu formed by damming the Colorado River just above Parker, AZ. A huge area created for boating & all types of water sports.

Lake Havasu is 45 miles long and has an abundance of coves and inlets for exploring.

The life blood of the entire area, the Colorado River winds its way through the Mohave Valley on its course to the Sea of Cortez, Mexico( which it never really reaches) from its origins in the Rocky Mountains near Grand Lake.

Exploring Joshua Tree National Park

Examples of the many varieties of desert vegetation that can be seen throughout Joshua Tree NP.

Front of Welcome Center

Cholla Cactus Garden is dominated by jumping cholia, named for its tendency to attach itself to the unwary.

Far vistas throughout the Park.....