Days 9 and 10: The Drive from Kanab and The Grand Canyon's South Rim

Today’s post is two days posts. Yesterday was pretty full with several stops on our drive from Kanab and several hours at the canyon.  So, today, I’m giving you a somewhat abbreviated version of yesterday’s and today’s adventures. I’m afraid you’ll just have to wait for the movie to come out to get the big picture.

Day 9: Drive from Kanab, UT to Williams, AZ

We have seen so many unusual and beautiful rock formations on our travels.  On our drive from Kanab, in the area of the Glen Canyon Dam, they changed from the brick red jagged plateaus of Utah to more conical shaped mounds that looked like small mountains that had begun to melt back into the earth from where they came, and then cooled leaving the red craggy peaks sitting atop a grayish previously molten base.

The building of any dam is an engineering wonder. But, what I find most fascinating is that not only is the building of a dam a monumental endeavour and a testament to man’s intelligence (in terms of science and math and not necessary the wisdom of the decision to build the dam in the first place) but it can literally change the course of nature or at the very least, the landscape. The Glen Canyon Dam stands about 700 feet above the Colorado River and is responsible for the creation of 186-mile long Lake Powell.

Further along our drive, the Colorado River bends around a rocky promontory in the shape of a horseshoe. And do you know what they call this area? Horseshoe Bend. Imagine that.  It is probably one of the most recognizable sights in the area. Rock formations around the edges of the cliffs resemble stacks of paper, or books or even pancakes that look like they might slide into the canyon.

Our main objective yesterday was to reach the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We did.

If anyone is having trouble finding God, he lives in the Grand Canyon. And I love what he’s done with the place. “Grand” is an understatement. Such a geological diversity, not to mention the timeline of the earth’s history written right there in layer upon layer of different types, colour and texture of rock. And, if God is present in the canyon, itself, the devil is there in the wind. He tried his best to pick us up with 50 mile an hour gusts and toss us over the edge.  

We moved on to Williams to find our motel room but not before sloshing through a rain storm the likes of which I haven’t seen in a long time. Rain in the desert. Go figure.

Day 10 – A walk around Williams and more of The Grand Canyon

Williams, Arizona is a quaint cowboy town located on historic Route 66. I should say “cowboy and Indian” town. There are several nations in the vicinity with Navajo and Hopi being the most predominant. According to Billy Two Feathers who runs the Native American shop in town, Route 66 was the first paved road to the west and was built in the 30’s to assist soldiers from the east during WWII to get to the west coast for deployment. According to Billy Two Feathers. Billy had a lot to say about the area, taxes, the government in general, the war in Afghanistan and the war in Vietnam in which he served. His shop was full of beautiful native artwork and he knew all about that, too – the artists, some of the processes, which potter is still alive and which had died. I left with two pieces of native pottery.

We also met a woman at an old western section of town that is being refurbished. She showed us around a small boutique hotel they’re working on. Each room will have a different theme. The two she showed us were the Bordello Room and the China Camp. The experience will be well worth the $125 per night charge (includes full breakfast in their Saloon). She also lent me an antique cowboy hat so Frank could take my picture.

The rest of the day was spent at The Grand Canyon. A 5 mile or so walk included more breathtaking scenery and 130 more photos but did not include rain, clouds, or wind.

Until tomorrow . . . .