At the Grand Canyon and how very grand it is. I spoke about contrasts after Vegas but this takes the cake. It really is sublime and Vegas really is ridiculous.
We spent the night at the Red Feather Lodge just outside the park. We had a truly awful Mexican meal and then fell deeply asleep. It was hard to drag ourselves out of bed but there were adventures to be had.
Breakfast across the road at a Macdonalds. Our cheapest meal yet and surprisingly good oatmeal with blueberries and nuts and coffee. They even played classical music.
Drove through beautiful pine trees towards the Lodge. Couldn't check in but walked down Bright Angel walking track for one and a half hours. Most spectacular and awesome place. Except for the other tourists, almost religiously quiet. Saw a condor and lots of squirrels. It was pretty steep and a bit slippery but just gorgeous. We decided to turn back and do the tough uphill hike and a good thing too because just as we puffed our way to the top it began to pour with cold rain. A heavy wind blew up and we ran for shelter at the Bright Angel Lodge. Just as we arrived it began to hail!
What an amazing contrast from the hot sunshine when we began the walk.
We are now sitting in our cardigans in the lounge of our Lodge surrounded by the stuffed heads of dead animals. It is dark and heavily wooden. It is more than 100 years old.
In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt said about the Grand Canyon: " The most impressive piece of scenery I have ever looked at ... it is beautiful and terrible and unearthly."
He wanted it preserved  without a "building of any kind, not a summer cottage, a hotel or anything else to mar the wonderful grandeur,  the sublimity, the great loveliness, the beauty of the canyon. Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it."
I absolutely agree with him but after the hail, rain and wind, I'm happy we are nestled in a cosy national park hotel with a fabulous dinner to go to tonight.