SWF–Through the grasses

While walking on the Saddle Mountain trail I noticed the variety of grasses. Don’t ask me what they are...

Grand Canyon views from Saddle Mountain trailhead

Take a drive out of the park and into the Kaibab National Forest for more Grand Canyon views from...

Our World Tuesday–Days of Summer

I’ve been so busy this summer and have so much to post about that I can’t seem to catch up. So here’s a few images of summer, with more to follow.

The days of summer have been filled with adventure including rafting the Colorado River, hiking in Zion, boating on Lake Powell and...

Oh deer, it’s fall

I live in the forest, with all the other wildlife.  And fall is here...

Wonderful Wildlife

Just never know what kind of wildlife might be seen driving through the forest.

Young Merriam turkeys follow an adult.

This lone beefalo didn’t know which side of the road to run to.

At first I thought this was a stump critter.

But I saw movement and stopped for a closer look.

My first golden eagle seen on the Kaibab Plateau.

Going to town through landscape diversity

Thanks to Berta’s mail forwarding my electrolytes arrived in time for the river trip  (Note the beautiful new necklace Mike recently bought me. Go ahead, enlarge it. Please look at the necklace, not at me. ;)

For a change I drove and Mike took photos, documenting our drive to town.

Through ponderosa pine and aspen forest…

…over meadows…

 

…of wildflowers.

The subtle rise in elevation introduces fir and spruce into the mix.

Reflecting on how the cycle of forest life should be,

including a five year old lightning strike fire.

Dropping off the Kaibab Plateau into the juniper/pinyon woodlands,

offers a peak at what lies below and…

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

…beyond.

From a different perspective down in the valley.

Welcome to Fredonia, Arizona

Today, a hike to Cape Final is in the plan. Oh yea, and packing for the River Trip!

Just because…

…I can share a couple more images from the Fence Point campout.

 

MWT – Fence Point

What better to do with a two day weekend than go camping at Fence Point for free. Just before heading out of the park we saw a herd of beefalo. But I was more impressed with the views of Grand Canyon from camp which you can read more about here.

Going camping on the way to town

Mike and I both have the next two days off and we’re heading Out of the park.

It’s about time to run away and play.

We poured over the maps.

Packed some food and camp gear.

And in the morning we’ll drive into the Kaibab National Forest…

…to some unknown beautiful rim camp.

Wind on the meadows

 

Grasses waving

water pooling

flower patches look like snow

on the meadows.

SWF – Through the trees

Last week when Mike and I visited the cabin in the forest the views were just as good looking up.

 

Aspen leaves glow like glitter under the sun.

 

Even when dead, aspen looks sculptural against the sky.

 

While this aspen struggles to stay alive.

Ponderosa pine spreads its branches.

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Still doing research on the cabin, should have more soon.

MWT – Cabin in the forest

Saturday, after the chores were done, Mike and I took a ride into the Kaibab National Forest to check out a little cabin we’d seen buried in the woods.

The place is barely visible from the North Rim Parkway (SR67) yet that obvious narrow gravel road called us to explore.

Deserted, yet an open door spurred us to peak inside and the place was clean and inviting.

This place has all the conveniences. Well almost. No running water, but there’s a cook stove and plenty of wood.

Plus the nearby privy…(oops, sorry Mike)

…with a great view.

Even with trees fallen on the roof, the barn/shed looked in good repair.

And the fences were stout. Made me wish I had horses to ride out onto the meadows and into the forest, then back for a safe night for all.

Some of the old dead/dying aspen carry heavy marks from past visitors…

…some more recent than others.

I could move right in. Except that I love my new 5th-wheel and it’s modern conveniences. But there’s a place there I could park for a while.

Although this is public land I can’t find anything online about the cabin. Yet I suspect it’s from the late 1800s to early 1900s ranching days. No signs except a number on the door. I hope to get more information from the District Ranger office in Fredonia this week.

To tour more of the world go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.