We arrived! It took about 2.5 hours to get here–maybe longer with all the stops. We had no plans of hiking here. It was a nice day in that it was overcast and not as hot but, a little scattered rain here and there. Nothing to keep us back.

Melissa introduced me to Shaka Guide. It is an app for your phone to download an audio tour of National Parks. It coordinates with your gps so you are hearing information about the location you are driving. It was awesome. I highly recommend it. It was educational and entertaining. We learned about the Vermilion Cliffs and the Cliff Dwellers. We heard stories of Native Tribes. We learned about rocks. Seriously we really enjoyed it.

Don’t expect me to tell you about the Vermilion Cliffs. I know it had to do with the red color in the rocks. But science just isn’t my thing so, while I’ll listen, I won’t remember. Even if I am interested I could forget in a matter of seconds. Now the Cliff Dwellers–that’s a different story. That was interesting. Though I can’t remember names and dates, this couple back in the 1930’s (I believe) were driving through when their car broke down. They had nowhere to go so they settled here. She started making a home out of the rocks and next thing you know, they are selling food to visitors of the Grand Canyon. Not sure how they managed that one, but that was the story. Later they built a restaurant and lodge.

I can’t tell you if it is better than the South Rim because I haven’t been there but, it sure was amazing. We didn’t do any hikes in Grand Canyon, we just drove to all the overlooks and took pictures. We had a 2.5 hour drive home and no plans for a sunset or anything else. We had smoked pork loin in a crockpot back at camp and no plans for the evening. In fact we had an early morning coming up. But that’s for the next blog.

Edit: A month after our visit the lodge at the North Rim of Grand Canyon was devastated by fire. From the NPCA Jul 14, 2025: “Over the weekend, the Dragon Bravo Fire and White Sage Fire tore through Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, closing the area for the season. The fire remains active and has already destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of other structures, including a visitor center, gas station, wastewater treatment plant, administrative offices and employee housing.”

OMG! This place is amazing. It is a little bit of a hike down to the view but so worth it. I couldn’t get a full view of the horseshoe because I couldn’t look over. I don’t understand people who want to go past the rail. It is so nerve racking. I had to finally leave. I left the family behind while I slowly walked that long steep passage back to the parking lot. I believe it is .75 miles one way and it is down on the way and up on the way back. I stopped several times and got back about 1 minute before the rest did.

This is one of the best views I have seen so far. OMG! If you go out west, make sure to go to Horseshoe Bend.

Before heading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we made a stop at the New Wave in Glen Canyon National Park, right here in Page, AZ where we are camping. The Waves is a beautiful place where you need to get a permit and it can take years. A friend of mine just posted she got her permit after trying for several years. We didn’t have several years so we opted for the New Wave. Definitely small scale but very cool.

We opted to go to the North Rim of Grand Canyon because it is supposed to have the best views, yet it is the least visited. Each year the North Rim gets about 1 million visitors whereas the South Rim gets about 5 million visitors. However, some of that is because the North Rim is only open May-Sept due to weather.

I know it has taken me a long time to upload this but we have been busy, busy, busy. Lots coming. Stay tuned for the Grand Canyon