We drove the car up to the visitor center and walked out to Mather Point, What a view, Every time I visit it’s like the first time. It’s just that spectacular!
Had to take the obligatory pictures (like hundreds of others) We got there before 11, but there were already a lot of people there, and after a bit of gawking we hiked toward Yavapai point and looked back. It seemed a few tour buses must have just arrived and let off a large group of people! After that it was our mission to get as far away from them as possible. Walking around the rim, there were beautiful views as far as you could see, different around every bend. We even found a tiny place where you could see the Colorado River at the bottom and it looked so small.
Everyone wanted to pet the pups. They were on their best behavior as they again were allowed on the trails on the south rim. They were little troopers! There were very few other dogs on the trails.
Kathy had checked and there was zero chance of rain, but maybe a mile or so down the trail it started to rain big drops. We just paused under some trees and when it slowed down, we moved on down the trail. After Yavapai there were very few people too. Then I heard it, thunder, and I realized pausing under trees was no longer a good idea. It actually got down to 60, and being wet we headed away from the trail to the village looking for patio covers and lunch. We bought sandwiches at a deli and munched them outside under the covered roof.
Since we were cold and wet now, (no rain gear due to zero chance of rain, ) I headed over to the bus stop to hitch a ride back to the car. Pups are not allowed on the buses and it was raining a lot harder now. I got even more wet getting out to the north forty where the car was parked and drove back and picked up my passengers.
(We had water for us and the dogs, proper shoes to walk, but with sunny blue skies, didn’t bring our rain jackets, and our snacks were in the car. Gloria has warned us about being prepared for anything, but who can carry it all? I only had a visor and was wishing I had my hat when those big drops started!)
Kathy was aghast that after Baxter did his business on the trail and I was holding it in the poop bag, I then decided to tie the duty bag to his harness. (It was much too embarrassing to have that hanging off him. Much better that I carry it. 🙂
We made it back safe and sound, but boy were we all tired!!!
