Hog Log; 8/24:

Left St. George, Utah this morning under a bright blue, sunny sky ... not a cloud in sight! Headed west on Hwy 9, which would lead me to Hwy 89A and Jacob Lake in Arizona. There, Hwy 67 winds its way into the Grand Canyon National Park and the North Rim of the Canyon. In comparison, I'd have to say there are much more stunning views than from the south. Before reaching the Canyon, however, Hwy 67 first leads you through Kaibab National Forest, which offers some really stunning scenery. The day pass for Grand Canyon National Park was $10 ($20 for cars). Hwy 67 is the only road in ... and the only road out. About 40 miles each way.

The views from the North Rim are absolutely amazing ... almost unearthly! It's difficult to imagine the forces of nature that could produce something like this. It just looks so much bigger than you ever imagine from reading about it or seeing photographs. It's impossible to capture the scope of the Canyon with a camera, because a photo just can't produce the panorama that the eye does. It's just a truly amazing sight.

I walked and climbed for about an hour and a half, taking dozens of pictures, before setting out for Phoenix, Arizona ... back out 67 to 89A, 89A to Hwy 89 south. I took 89 south as far as Flagstaff, Arizona where I caught I-17 South into Phoenix. The drive from The Canyon to Flagstaff was through the Navaho Reservation. Hot and dusty, it's a true desert. Some beautiful rock formations, however. At Flagstaff, the scenery suddenly changes ... trees, grass, and cactus, and not nearly as hot.

And so ends another day, here in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tomorrow I visit with an old friend here and then head west towards the California coast!

More later....