We checked out of the Thunderbird Lodge and drove to Desert View which was towards the East entrance of the park. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Watchtower

Lending scale to the 70′ tower designed by the Southwest architect, Mary Colter and built in 1932. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

South Rim

Expansive views of the Painted Desert and …

South Rim

… the San Francisco Peaks can be found here.

South Rim

Somebody met up with a fan and friend at the nearby retail shop after checking out the chilly views.

Indian Watchtower

The four-story structure was modeled after the ancestral Puebloan architecture. The tower was intentionally built to look like ancient ruins and to blend in with the environment.

Horseshoe Bend

We then drove to the town of Page to see the “Diamond Head” of Arizona. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Horseshoe Bend

The Colorado River curves 270 degrees around the canyon giving a natural fish eyes effect. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Group photo at the 4,200′ overlook.

Horseshoe Bend

It’s not hard to see why this scenic spot pulls in more than 2 million visitors a year. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

We hiked a bit past the overlook to get away from the crowds and get a different perspective. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Horseshoe Bend

Looking down at the boats and kayakers make their way around the incised meander.

Horseshoe Bend

Trying to bridge our differences with aloha. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Deep in the crack. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Taking the leap of dare. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Shadows on the Navajo Sandstone. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Walking around the bend. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Horseshoe Bend

Looking down at the 1,000′ drop to the Colorado River. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Can I have somebody pretty please? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Make believe meditating on the mounds. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Horseshoe Bend

Making our way back to the overlook. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Horseshoe Bend

I may have a big head but I don’t have a bicycle. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

Catching the sun going down along with the temperature before we drove back to Holiday Inn. Post hike meal at Pizza Hut where getting the correct address for the delivery was more work than eating the meal itself.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.