Grand Canyon...North Rim Edition
/As a kid, I remember visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in the intense heat of an Arizona summer. Even back then, the tourist crowds were overwhelming, so my initial thought was to save this trip for a distant Spring Break or February long weekend down the road. However, in touring the Utah National Parks, it seemed a shame to skip the North Rim, since it really was right there. We were SO glad we made the 2.5 hour trek from Bryce Canyon to the North Rim, because it really was, from a nature perspective, a completely different experience than the South Rim of my youth. We stopped for a Tex-Mex breakfast in the border town of Kenab, which was super Hollywood-kitch in itself, as it’s where all of the film stars of the 1950s holed up while making the iconic cowboy westerns of that era. What struck me the most about the Grand Canyon North Rim entrance is that you’d hardly know you were in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. Because the North Rim elevation is so much higher than the South Rim, it’s scenery is more pine forest green than desert brown; and comfortably cool to oppressively “dry heat”.
Again, Grand Canyon does not disappoint. I mean, it’s the GRAND CANYON. Massive. The many vantage points available from around the Grand Canyon Lodge allow visitors to see the canyon from many angles. We also enjoyed a few short hikes in the area before sitting down to a yummy lunch of elk chili and Navajo fry-bread tacos in the lodge. With of course the most spectacular view you’ve ever eaten a meal to. EVER. (even the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower paled in comparison…and it takes a lot for me to knock Paris)
Traveler Tip: not surprisingly, the Grand Canyon is most spectacular at either sunrise or sunset. Do be sure to catch the view at one of these times- so worth the effort!
Our lunchtime view of the north rim from the grand canyon lodge
"What a Grand....canyon." - Homer simpson
The Historic Dining Room at Grand Canyon Lodge... we were partial to the elk chili and Navajo tacos!