Sonya, Clara & Lydia: Road Trip - Grand Canyon (South Rim)

Jacob Lake Inn, Arizona to Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Although the distance between the North Rim and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is only 10 miles apart, unless you are a condor and fly directly across, the drive from one rim to the other takes about 3 hours if you see the map above.

Colorado River, Arizona

We drove along US Highway 89 (Alt) and came to this location where there is a bridge over the Colorado River.

Colorado River, Arizona

Although Clara did not have a fever anymore, we decided to shield her from the sun and heat as much as possible after Clara's crying episode last night. I bought a sun hat for myself but it came in very handy to shield Clara from the sun :)

Colorado River, Arizona

Clara was very grouchy and tired that day, either from the lack of sleep the night before or because she was still feeling a little ill, she would not stay in her carseat. I had to cradle her else she would not sleep. Even after she was soundly asleep, the moment I put her into her carseat, she woke up crying. As a result, I missed all the views of the Grand Canyon along the Desert View Drive. I stayed in the car holding Clara and Sonya watched the Dora DVD while Justin went out of the car at the various viewpoints. He took the photos below. I told him that his photography skills have improved but he said it was not his photography skills, it was the Grand Canyon! hahaha...

Desert View, Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

As there was nothing much we could do since Clara would not stay in her carseat and Sonya needed a nap, we checked into our hotel, called the Yavapai Lodge, which is located within the Grand Canyon National Park itself. It was the first time on our trip when we were actually in our hotel room in the day doing nothing :) Sonya slept. Justin and I tried to rest a little but Clara was awake and wanted to play.

Raven just outside our hotel room at the Yavapai Lodge, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Did I mention that the ravens / crows at these National Parks are huge! They were the size of a small chicken!

It was mentioned in the park brochure that the sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon is pretty spectacular so I suggested that we go watch the sunset. We went to the Yavapai point, which was the most convenient location for us among the different recommended points to watch the sunset.

I have never really taken a picture of a sunrise or sunset before, so it was pretty challenging. I also did not have a tripod with me which I think would have been tremendous help. When we got there, there were already quite a lot of people. There were people, with more professional looking cameras, who had already reserved their spots for the best seats along the canyon rim, which were right at the edge. Actually, those spots were too scary for me so I am contented to have my spot about 2 meters from the edge :)

Sunset at Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Oops! Who switched off the lights?

Sunset at Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

There we are!

Sunset at Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

The next morning, we continued to explore the rest of the view points along Hermit Road. Hermit Road is only accessible by shuttle bus unless you have a disable permit from the park.

Trailview Overlook, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Yavapai Lodge is only one of the many places where you can stay in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Yavapai Lodge is located further away from the rim but next to the Market Plaze which is like a general store. The other accomodations are located along the rim of the canyon. When we were reserving our accomodation, the only place available was at the Yavapai Lodge and we might have booked the last available room for that night! If you look carefully near the top of the photo above, you can see the other accommodations by the rim of the canyon :)

Trailview Overlook, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

The shuttle bus took us to 4 points along the Hermit Road. The first was the Trailview Overlook as shown in the photo above.

Trailview Overlook, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Trailview Overlook Shuttle Stop, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Justin and Sonya having a rest under the shade while waiting for the shuttle bus. The buses ran every 10 - 15 minutes, just the perfect time for us to take a look at the viewpoint and then hop on the next shuttle without too long a wait.

Maricopa Point, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

The second stop was the Maricopa Point. From this viewpoint, if you look down into the canyon, you will see the entrance of an abandoned mine.

Maricopa Point, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Clara was getting sleepy already :)

Powell Point, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

By the time we went to the third point which is the Powell Point, Clara was fast asleep in the sling. I just used my sun hat to shield her from the hot sun.

Powell Point, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Hopi Point, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Our last stop was the Hopi Point.

Hopi Point, Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

Shuttle Bus at Hopi Point along Hermit Road, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Arizona

By this time, Sonya was getting very tired and very restless. We took the shuttle bus back to the start of Hermit Road where we left our car. It was only later when we went for lunch that we found out that she had a fever. We drove back to the Market Plaza to get some Tylenol for her fever. She also complained of a sore throat which we could not do much except to get her to drink more water. I think the heat really affected both Sonya and Clara. Or, maybe they just had too many cookies :) hahaha...

Sonya, Clara & Lydia

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Road Trip - Grand Canyon (South Rim)

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