South Rim

Day 44 - We ate breakfast, loaded the truck, and set forth to the South Rim.  On our way out, we found a little flock of wild turkeys.  

It's crazy that the South Rim was only 10 miles across from our site, but we have to drive 200 miles to get to it.  On our way, we passed by the Vermilion Cliffs and stopped at the Cliff Dwellers site.

The boys loved exploring the dwellings.

It's amazing to think these were inhabitated by people.

These beautiful rocks and boulders were so interesting.

After our exploration, we loaded back up and set forth to the South Rim.  This area was the complete opposite of the calm North Rim.  There were tour buses everywhere, but oh, the view was spectacular!

We found our awesome site in Mather Campground, Fir Loop #88, unhitched our bikes and went on our way to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.  The South Rim has an awesome Greenwaybime trail set up to ride to all the sites.  Cole is a monster on his 20" bike.  He can comfortably ride for miles on road, trail, whatever.  Little Carson is it much behind him.  He had a bad fall in Idaho going down the bridge, but since then, he's picked up right where he left off.  He's now climbing the hills out of the saddle and rarely needs a push to make it up.  It takes quite a bit of leg strength to climb up hills on a 16" bike with a coaster break.  Once wry hitched, we rode our bikes EVERYWHERE!  Schettlers were in heaven!  We made it to the 3:00 pm Ranger talk about Critters in the Canyon...worst Ranger talk yet!  After that, we rode our bikes the 2 miles back to our campsite for dinner and exploration.  The Mather Campground is filled with herds of elk.

Beautiful!  We played a few rounds of Uno and hit the hay.  

Day 45 - Wow!  It's crazy to think we've been on vacation living in our Casita for 45 days?!  We woke up to pitter patter on the roof and the sweet smell of rain, so we decided to turn Mommy and Daddy's double bed into the 4 seater table for the day.  That was perfect for Junior Ranger workbook and a few rounds of dominos to start our morning.

Once the weather cleared up a bit, we set forth to the older part of the South Rim, the Village, and Verkamp's Visitor Center for their Junior Ranger badge.

I loved this area!  

It was filled with old lodges, the original Kolb Studio, and even a train station!  Cole was in heaven!

I looked in the Hopi House and sawthe most beautiful jewelry.  Grandma Mary and Aunt Libby would be in heaven.  They both have the loveliest collection of southwestern jewelry.  All the pieces of jewelry at the Hopi House were intricate and beautiful, and I'm sure marked up 1000%.  I was told I could look but not touch...maybe one day I'll save up and purchase a piece from the Hopi House.

We explored the Village then returned to the campsite for lunch, naps, and hanging around the campsite for the evening.  

While the boys were riding the loop on their bikes a little 4 year old German girl came and joined them.  After 15 minutes, her older sister joined them, and the 4 kids rode hours!

They made fast friends with Hannah and Rose!  Hannah spoke a bit of English, but Rose spoke only German.  Carson kept riding past us saying, "they keep talking and giggling!  I can't understand a word!"  They rode well into the darkness and all grabbed flashlights.  All of a sudden it was pitch black, after nine o'clock, and time for bed.

Day 46 - I woke up early for a sunrise run down the Greenway on the rim.  

It was so wonderful to get an hour to meditate and soak in nature.  Beautiful!

Shout to the Lord, all the Earth let us sing

The power of majesty "Praise to the King"

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name

I sing for joy at the work of your hands

Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Yes, this is a beautiful gift from God.

I returned just as the boys were waking up and we set off for the first time in our car to the Far East side of the park, 25 beautiful mile drive to the Watchtower.

We were so excited to climb to the top and finally get a view of the canyon without the fear of one of the boys falling into the canyon.  This lookout didn't disappoint!  

Check out the roaring Colorado River!

The boys loved climbing the many stairs up and down the Watchtower.

We loaded up the truck just as the thunder clapped and the storm dropped on us.

We relaxed at the campsite and played a bit of Uno before hitting our bikes back to the Village for dinner.  Unfortunately, on our ride back, the thunder clapped again and the rain dumped on our bike ride.  We were soaked by the time we got back to the Casita.

We lit the campfire and our two German friends rode over for biking fun.

Once they were tired of riding, we brought out the Dominos...universal language!  They played for hours and hours.  Everyone showed each other their Junior Ranger badges they had earned and tried their best to communicate.  The boys ended their night with Popsicles at the German trailer, then the boys said goodbye to their friends, Hannah and Rose.  They made memories to last a lifetime.  I'm so thankful we were had the time and health to take this incredible trip!  We have loved every second!