The North Rim

One of the reasons that I went on this trip was to see and experience new activities and places.  Today we went to a place that was brand new to me.  We drove south into Arizona to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  The route took us up onto the Kaibab Plateau.    Here is the view towards the north from an overlook.  In the distance are the Vermilion Cliffs.

Upon arriving at the north rim, we went directly to a nearby corral for our mule ride.  The ride took us through a ponderosa pine forest near the edge of the canyon for an hour.  My mule was named Gus!  I firmly hung onto the saddle for the whole ride.

Before lunch at the Grand Canyon Lodge, we walked out to an overlook to enjoy the views of the canyon.  Fabulous!  Where we were was near the start of the Bright Angel Trail that goes from the north rim, down to the bottom and back up to the south rim.

Here is the historical lodge where we had lunch.

There is no lodging in the main building.  Instead, one can stay in one of the many cabins there.

Point Imperial is the highest point of the Grand Canyon.  It is located eleven miles east of the main lodge.  

On the way back to the main highway, we stopped to enjoy the beautiful aspens in their full fall glory.