Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is rather Grand. A chilly time to be there but less tourists are always better. The Bright Angel Fault and Bright Angel Canyon across the way from Grand Canyon Village forms a place to walk to the bottom of the Canyon. We didn't. We didn't take the Mule ride either.
Trudy and I are facinated by the architecture of Mary Colter. She and the Harvey Company are two wonderful but relatively unknown pieces of the west that deserve a look.

Colter designed buildings like the Hopi House gift shop (which actually has museum level pieces of western Indian art) across from the El Tovar Hotel. Her work blends in with the land in a unique way.

The Watchtower is another example of Mary Colter's style. Designed to look "ancient," it combines a commercial gift shop with a display of native art.

The Watchtower is a unique example of how a profitible company can "do the right thing."


Trudy, at the edge near where the old Grandview Hotel stood on Grandview Point. It is one of only several places that hiking to the bottom is possible. We didn't do that either.

More as it happens,
Bob

Black Velvet

Yesterday I walked into Black Velvet Canyon. It's a beautiful approach in the southern end of Red Rock Canyon. The 2000' walls and the rock define Red Rock climbing and as I hoped the climbers were out.

Don't be fooled by the close ups. A tripod and telephoto don't show the exposure.

They are well off the valley floor. Some of the routes have more than 10 pitches. That means hundreds of feet in the air.

On the way out there was a real treat waiting. Two young Big Horn Sheep. I got a chance to follow them for a while


They let me get just so close and no closer.


Then they showed off their rock skills.
Gone in a flash!

More as it happens
Bob

The Trip Back

You Might Be Getting Comfortable In Nevada When…

You hear that the morning traffic report is brought to you by Preparation H and you say,"that sounds right!"

Now check out Prep H's site and roll the mouse over the people waiting in Las Vegas traffic.

_____

Last week on the long drive back from Tahoe the scenery was boring but not uninteresting. Once we got used to the "next gas 60 miles" some of the ironic details began to pop up. All I can say is that Tonopah is not a place I want to stay.

More as it happens - Bob