Tale of the Trip - Part 2

We arrived at the Grand Canyon on Monday afternoon about dinner time and spent all of Tuesday there. If you've ever been to the Canyon then you know that these pictures don't do it justice. There is no way to capture the scope and grandeur of the place. The first time you see it, it's almost an emotional experience.

Here's Jane and Hack as they see the Canyon for the first time.

Here's what they are looking at.

Betty and me enjoying the Grand Canyon sun.

One of the things we wanted Jane and Hack to see was the group getting ready for their mule ride down into the Canyon. Betty and I took this ride four years ago. We went all the way to the bottom, spent the night at Phantom Ranch, and rode the mules back out the next day. It was one of the neatest things we've ever done.

This is the head wrangler giving the 'speech' to the riders. They make no bones about it. It's a hard ride and, if you're not careful, it can be dangerous. However, their safety record is excellent and riders have been going down on mules for over 100 years.

Three of the mules with their 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt' look on their faces.

If you look closely you can see one group of riders stopping on the trail. They always do this to check the saddle cinches to be sure they're tight and to give folks an experience of having your mule stick his head over the edge of the trail. It's a thrill.


Another view of the Canyon.


Me pointing something out to Hack, and I haven't the faintest idea of what it was.

Jane and Hack enjoying their lunch in the lobby of the Bright Angel Lodge.

The only Condor we saw while we were there.

Another view of the Canyon.

Hack and Jane relaxing on the porch of the El Tovar Hotel.

Betty and Jane enjoying another view.

Here's the view they were looking at.

Sister Jane and Betty together.

It was a great day. This was our third visit to the Grand Canyon and I would gladly go back again. In fact, Betty and I hope to do the mule ride again in a couple of years.