October 2010 Week 4 - N Rim, Mogollon Rim, Kathy & Bill

From Zion we tried to see the Grand Canyon from the North Rim. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. We walked to Bright Angel Point near the Visitor Center and were in a cloud the entire walk. Just had glimpses down a side canyon. Oh well, another time. We did tour the visitor center and checked out the lodge, cabins, and campgrounds. Definitely want to go back during warm weather. Between Page and Flagstaff we stopped at the Meteor Crater and Wupatki National Monument. Both were worth the stop.

Next stop Canyon Point Campground at the Mogollon Rim which is at 7500 feet and about 30 miles from Payson. Loved the Canyon Point campground and good thing it had electricity because one morning it was 28 degrees. Lovely bike rides in the almost deserted campground and great hikes along the scenic rim trail and Woods Canyon Lake. The fall colors were amazing. The aspen we golden and when the wind blew the quaking was a site to see.

On to Phoenix to see Bill & Kathy. As always we had a fabulous time with them and laughed our way through 3 days of fun. While we were there we caught up with some of the gang of friends and attended a Halloween party. Great decorations, super costumes, and lots of dancing... I think I am too old for Footloose anymore. Kathy, Bill, and I were bandits. We weren't sure what John's costume was but we think he was Dumb from Dumb and Dumber.

John & I spend an afternoon at Frank Lloyd Wright's home and institute, Taleisin West. Fascinating place. He was one of the first architects to design an 'american' facility that reflected the beauty of the desert. All the building materials came from the desert and this place was out in the middle of no where at the time it was built. Go see it if you have a chance, but take the short tour.