My Everyday Photos

SW Trip part five

This was my first opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon. We spent two full days on the south rim and as you might imagine, I had way too many chances to make photos. It was hard to know when to stop. Consequently, I have more photos from the Grand Canyon than the rest of the trip combined, I think. Well, close to it.

So this first part is just some highlights or first impressions for me. Of the visitors’ centers my favorite was the Kolb Studio. Two brothers started it in the early 1900’s. Their bread and butter photo was of tourists riding the mules down the Bright Angel Trail. They built their studio on the rim of the canyon so they could point a camera out the window as the riders paused at the first switchback on the descent. And then they worked to get the film developed and prints made to sell when the visitors returned. This sounds like a business model that has repeated itself over the years. We enjoyed a ranger tour of the Kolb Studio.

My first view of the canyon

I never saw any boats moving on the river

Looking down at the Bright Angel Trail

A closer view of the not so steep part of the Bright Angel Trail

I walked on the beginning of the Bright Angel Trail, just to say I had hiked part of it. Two tenths of a mile.

Lots of other tourists started down the trail but it was quite icy and a person needed crampons or Yak Trax to be safe.

The Kolb Studio from the Bright Angel Trail

The Kolb Brothers took a boat down the entire length of the Colorado River and made a movie to promote tourism

The view of the trail from the studio

Wonderful artifacts

Living quarters in the Kolb Studio

Judy and Jennifer enjoy the Kolb Brothers movie

The studio and home expanded over the years

Another studio this one designed by Mary Jane Colter

It would be fun to take the train

So many views

Wyatt enjoyed the view. Pets were allowed on leashes

Taffy enjoyed the view too

Looking south towards Prescott

Our first glimpse of the Desert View Watchtower also designed by Mary Jane Colter

Ravens guard the top of the tower

Fascinating structure

Jennifer and Judy got another Junior Ranger badge at the Grand Canyon

They even sang for this badge

The volunteer was delighted with their efforts to get badges and pins at various parks.

Looking up in the tower

Juniper trees everywhere

An artists sketches with watercolors at the end of the day

Reflected light on one of the hotels