"When your spirit cries for peace, come to a world of canyons deep in the old land." -- John Muir

FLASHBACK: 1996.  Eric, Chris and Josh at the Grand Canyon.  Pretty sure it was more colorful than it looks here!   Josh is using the binoculars my parents gave us that we still use today.

Rubber rabbitbrush

The park is full of it, but we have never seen any of the animals eating it.

Thursday was a short hiking day so we decided to visit both Mather's Point and take the 23 mile Desert View Drive.   After Mathers Point we took a short walk on the Rim Trail.  We stopped at every scenic overlook on Desert View Drive.   It's amazing how different the same part of the canyon looks just from a different view point, or from the way the sun hits it. 

Looking at Mather's Point

At Mather's Point

We could see a mule train down in the canyon.

On the rim trail there was a weather data collection center. It measures air pollutants, including ozone and particulates.

 Mather's Point

Pipe Creek Vista, first view point on Desert View Drive.

Maricopa Point Cliff

Duck on a Rock

We enjoyed someone's creativity.

Lipon Point

Hance Rapid is one of the most dangerous Rapids on the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon.  John Hance was the south rim's first white settler.

First View of Desert View Watchtower.  

Navajo Point

Trading Post

The third building designed by Mary Colter.
  She said it was not a replica, but it was built in the Indian Spirit.  It was built to give an illusion of age, but under the facade it is concrete with reinforced steel.

FLASHBACK: 1996.  We weren't allowed on the outside upper viewing deck this year, but we were in 1996.

In 1956 a TWA airliner crashed in the Grand Canyon killing all 128 people on board, the deadliest crash at the time. 

The only place we were allowed in the Watchtower was the gift shop.  It was decorated with Native American art.

Relaxing at the Trading Post.

Grandview Point

Horseshoe Mesa home of the Last Chance Mine.

Where are the Piepers now?  Grand Canyon National Park