Desert View Drive & Watchtower

Days 2 and 3 at the Grand Canyon included staying at the campground while Grady rewired a few corroded brake light wires.. and just relaxing in general. On day 4 we went back out and into the Park, taking the Burb down the Desert View Drive which is east of Mather Point and follows the rim for 25 miles out to the Desert View Watchtower and East Entrance. Along the way, six developed canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five unmarked pullouts are accessible with private vehicles.

Ok Grant, outta the tree! We're heading back to the Nat'l Park for more exploring! :-)

We enjoyed stopping along the Desert View Drive and looking at all the different vantage and viewpoints.. each had their own unique look and view of the magnificent canyon

 

Rye, Grant, Grace and Laura head up to the Watchtower

 

 

 

The view from the Watchtower is amazing! Reading about Mary Colter and her influence on the Grand Canyon's 85 year old buildings was very interesting. The children enjoyed the Hopi art and the winding staircase.

 

 

The gift shop on the bottom floor was amazing also. Filled with native-made gifts and treasures

 

Very cute Rye! A little over your budget though.. :-)

 

 

We shoulda listened to a full time travelling Mama who recently warned on her blog NOT to let children wander into gift shops (tourist traps!) We fell into the trap and bought the girls these cute native-made dolls...

The boys with their official Grand Canyon walking sticks

Ashley poses with Dutch.. a lady who saw this shot gasped and ran off.. we weren't sure if she were worried about Ashley or the dog.. lol!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every place we stopped, someone else would ask to take the girls' photo. This couple from Italy in particular just fell in love with them. We ended up exchanging information and talking with them for over a half an hour. It was such a blessing to meet them.

 

 

 

We all hiked down a path at Grandview to watch the infamous Grand Canyon sunset.. it was definitely worth the wait!

 

 

Gorgeous!

Goodbye Grand Canyon! We hope to come back for a visit! Maybe to the North Rim and onto lovely Utah......... It will have to wait till next trip!