Grand Canyon
National Park
July 14, 2013
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Sunday - day 4 (continued)
We turned toward Grand Canyon National Park and
had the road almost entirely to ourselves. It started raining off and on.
Still we had a chance to make stops to look out over the Grand Canyon.
Our first view of the Canyon was at Desert View Watchtower.
Desert View Watchtower was constructed in 1932 as a replica
of a prehistoric Indian tower, though at 70 feet, it is taller than any
of those towers which have been found in the Southwest. The tower was designed
by Mary Colter for the Fred Harvey Company, along with several other buildings
in the Grand Canyon. From the beginning, Desert View Watchtower was designed
as a combination tourist attraction, curio shop, and museum of Hopi culture
& symbolism.
Desert View Watchtower
Our first view of the Grand Canyon
Looking west down the Grand Canyon from Desert View Watchtower
Mary posing for a photo with the Nerdfighter gesture for gesture of
good will, good manners and awesomeness
Mary on the observation level of the Watchtower
Murals by Hopi artist Frank Kabotie
Looking up through the center of the Watchtower at the Hopi inspired
ceiling decorations
Rain showers falling in the Grand Canyon
We stopped at a couple of other lookouts, but with the
rain picking up, we mostly pushed on. At one point Nancy said she had seen
some critters back in the woods. We started to ignore the comment, until
she added that they were long legged critters, so we turned around and
went back.
The critters turned out to be a herd of elk.
Desert View Watchtower from farther along the Grand Canyon rim
Elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis)
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