Grand Canyon - Day One

After collapsing at 9:00 last night, we were up with the dawn at 5:30. Plugging in the tire monitor, it started beeping. All the tires were a little low since the outside temperature was at 32, but the outside left rear tire was down to 49 instead of 61.  After breakfast and packing up camp, we visited with the campground host and he recommended visiting Discount Tire in Flagstaff.  We pulled a little way down the road and pumped up the tire with our Ryobi battery powered pump so we wouldn't break the sound curfew. The spot where we pulled over did have a great view.

San Francisco Peaks, or Dook 'o' oosliid which translates from the Navajo as "Place Where the Snow Never Melts."

Back to the current challenge, we arrived at Discount Tire and were at the door when they opened at 8:00. They took us right away and the technician spent 40 minutes removing the tire and looking for problems. He couldn't find any leaks, but did tighten the valve stem from the inside of the rim.  Returning the keys to the van, I stood in line at the cashier to pay the bill. To my disbelief, he said they don't charge for minor repairs.  These were the original tires, so we had not purchased them from Discount Tire. They just earned our future business. Jumping ahead, we didn't have any more problems with the tire for the remainder of the trip!

By 11:00 AM we were parked at the Grand Canyon. The entrance had quite a back-up of cars waiting to get in, but a special lane for people with National Park passes had only one car in front of us. It pays to get your park pass before you get to the Grand Canyon. Although the sign at the gate said "Campgrounds Full," we stopped at Trailer Village and asked if anyone was checking out early. We lucked out and a site had opened up, so we are in K68 with full hook-ups and will be able to stay right in the park. First time visitors to the Grand Canyon and we are happy campers!

We explored Grand Canyon Village and rode the bus out to Hermit Lodge. The transportation systems here are a well organized machine. Once you are here at the South Rim, personal vehicles are not needed. Here are our first photos of the area.

Mule Train

Bright Angel Trail

Fireplace at Hermit's Rest

Colorado River 

Late Afternoon on the Rim

We returned to our campsite for dinner. Facing opposite directions, I was the first to notice six elk cows walking up the campground road. They had absolutely no concern for trailers, vehicles or dogs. Not wanting to disturb them, we retreated into the van.

The local residents came right up the the window.

 After a full day we opted to crash early rather than going back with the crowds for the sunset.