Re-post from Grand Canyon with Pictures

We arrived at the Grand Canyon with just enough time to be absolutely floored by the beauty of this massive hole in the ground and watch the sunset reflect off of it's walls. It more than made up for what we had driven though to get there.  We climbed the observation tower for an even more amazing view and the kids quickly recognized that the gift shop was a replica of a kiva, which they learned about at Mesa Verde.
There were a ton of  ranger led programs, and we took advantage of as many as we could.  On Monday we were out of the RV by 8:00 am(and on time for once) in order to catch the shuttle to where our first program was to begin.  As we walked to the shuttle stop, we could see that it was already there.  Just as we started to run to catch the shuttle, Paul realized that he forgot our park pass.  This little set back ended up causing us to miss the first hour of the program.  It was called Family Adventure hike and was a ranger led hike into the canyon.  We decided to head into the canyon on our own.  We had plenty of water, sunblock, and a map.  It was really hot and steep, but so beautiful.  We figured we would go as far as we felt comfortable and then turn around and come back up.  Somehow we managed to catch up to the group.  We felt vindicated!  The ranger welcomed us into the group but literally talked for about 5 minutes and his portion of the program was finished.  Ugh....  After a snack and continuing on our own for a while, we turned around and made our way back up and out of the canyon.  The  kids did really, really, well.  Ty and Libby jockeying for the lead position all the while.  Everything came to an abrupt halt when Libby accidentally flung her new camera off her wrist and into a rock as she was frantically waving off a bug.  In doing so, the zoom lense would not retract and was making a clicking noise that did not sound good.  Oh my did the alligator tears come a rushin'!  Libby is not a fan of flying bugs.  A bee bit her in her upper lip a few years ago and she's been deathly afraid any anything that flies and buzzes ever since.  She sat down on a rock and almost hyperventilated.  It took us a while to convince her to calm down and to understand that frantically waiving off a bug as you hiked a narrow trail a mile up from the canyon bottom, was a bad idea.  As we moved on, she started to cry again and couldn't catch her breath.  THANK GOODNESS she checked her camera again and it retracted just fine.  WOW.....  With Libby no longer a tearful, disgruntled heap, we were able to hike to the top.

After lunch, we were late for yet another ranger program.  This one was perfectly themed about bee's.  Too funny!  Anyway, the charismatic ranger was also a 4th grade teacher and as always Libby and Ty were eager to participate.  Libby as a guard bee and Ty as a worker bee.  We had a few hours until our next program was to start and as Libby and Ty were awarded their Jr. Ranger badge, we heard drums, and had to see where they were coming from.  Right next door was Hopi House, a replica Hopi In Indian dwelling.  There we saw Hopi Indians, men and women, dressed in their native festival costumes dancing to the accompaniments of a drum and flute.  We were mesmerized.  It was the high point in the day for us all, and completely unplanned.  We finished the day with a timely arrival to a program and scavenger hunt about fossils.  We had hoped to stick around for some star gazing, but it had been a long day and the heat and hiking had taken it's toll.  Paul and I were toast!

Four Corners National Monument 

View from Watch Tower - Grand Canyon

Watch Tower

Libby on top of top of the Watch Tower 

Ella on Watch Tower

Along the rim, getting cold!

Getting ready to start the day at the Grand Canyon - Day 2

Start of the hike into Grand Canyon from Hermits Rest 

Ty leading the way

Stop along the trail

This lizard got a lot of attention - the kids took LOTS of pictures

Trying to play catch up!

Ty as the worker bee

Libby as a guard bee - getting ready to sting!

Saying the oath and getting badges

Hopi Indian

This guy was great!

Libby got involved in the program - She was "L" for LIFE! 

Ty got to add dirt and rock to compress the pine cone to demonstrate how fossils are formed.

Ella added the water

Trying to figure out the types of fossils ...

Getting books signed for badges

Ice Cream to end the day!