Day 10: Grand Canyon North Rim

After breakfast the rain set in and we drove under dark skies back to Grand Canyon, wearing layers and coats for the first time.  We whiled away time in the  lounge vainly seeking wi-fi connections, booked for dinner at a ridiculously early hour (4.45) in the Lodge dining room, went up to the camp ground general store, where there was wi-fi and whiled away more time on coffee, emails, and then a sandwich lunch.  

Emails at the General Store

After lunch Mary and Bob took the car down to the Visitor Centre and Peter and I walked the mile back down through the woods.   More sitting around and relaxing before we went to hear a park ranger talk about the geology of Grand Canyon.   Russell was working as a ranger while finishing his MSc in geology and deciding what to do next.  He was excellent!  He was slightly put off by the obvious expertise of Peter and Bob, not that they interrupted him in any way, but occasionally they exchanged comments.  Russell checked them out afterwards and was obviously relieved to know that he had done well.  

Russell Rosenberg

Before we had supper we went on a short walk to an overlook near the Lodge.  It was cantilevered out over space.  There were railings to hang on to, but Peter took one look at the drop and stayed well back!  Mary and I were more adventurous! 

Ruth with Mary watching her back! 

Looking down Grand Canyon at dusk

Supper was very good!  Bob and I had prime rib – delicious chunks of roast beef cooked to order, Peter had a steak and Mary had Buffalo.  We had a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, which following the swift scotch in the car, left us feeling mellow.  

Lodge Dining Room, Grand Canyon North Rim

Another great sky as bad weather rolled in.

Sunset, Grand Canyon North Rim

Bob was abstemious and drove us back to the cabins, where we turned in at 6.0 pm!   What a ridiculous time to be thinking about going to bed.  I did the blog, downloaded and sorted photographs and vainly tried to find out how i-photo works.  Peter dragged the only chair under the only light and did a crossword.  We managed to keep ourselves amused until about 9.0 pm and gave up and went to bed.