Coming Home

I was sad to leave The North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Quiet and not many people. I enjoyed it so much.  I headed home driving  on the Arizona Strip.

                                               Pipe Springs National Monument Arizona

I stopped at Pipe Spring National Monument in Arizona.
They had a quilt displayed an invited people to put in stitches or time.  I enjoyed adding 5 stitches and my name.

The Park Ranger gave a tour of Winsor Castle at the Pipe Spring Ranch. Pipe Spring was a water source used by Paiute tribes.  Mormon ranchers began settling near the springs in the 1860's.  By 1864 Navajo Indians had begun raiding Mormon livestock.

Brigham Young, president of the Mormon Church made Pipe Spring part of his vision for expansion.

The remote fort at Pipe Spring also became a hideout for polygamous wives.  Federal laws passed in 1862, 1882 and 1887 made polygamy - a felony.  Several men hid their wives at Pipe Spring to avoid detection by federal marshals.

Present day The Arizona Strip is still known for it's polygamous sect of Mormons residing in Colorado City.  I did drive by some huge houses.

I decided to stay in Primm, Nevada for the night.  The three Casinos were all filled at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  No campgrounds in town.  I drove on and stayed at Calico Campground in Calico, California.

Home the next day
                      I enjoyed keeping my blog while traveling and want to continue.  So back to the art studio!

My first print on Wednesday of Vanna.

NORTH RIM of the Grand Canyon

I arrived at the North Rim in between rain showers.  I passed a flock of wild turkeys on my way in.

Painting after  the rain cleared .

I went to a Park Ranger talk about the Condor.

I have wanted to go to the North Rim ever since I found out about it.  Visiting the South Rim 40 years ago I learned there was a North Rim, and it wasn't an easy task to visit.

 I tried to visit a few years ago on my Southwest trip but the North Rim was closed because of weather.

I was thrilled when I walked to the Rim and had my first look.  What an awesome sight.

Exciting walk with storm approaching.

The Canyon disappears with the rain.

The Canyon reappears when the rain stops.

Exciting to watch.

 Eating lunch on the porch of The North Rim Lodge.

The North Rim

The North Rim Lodge.

Kaibab Squirrel at campsite.  They are only found at the North Rim.

I happened to be able to stay an extra day as someone canceled just as I asked at the campground office.

My campsite with Mountain Bluebirds around.  One perched on my bike handlebars.  I was thrilled.

The Transit Trail from the campgound to the Lodge.

I had 5 bars on my cell phone at this lookout point!

 The Grand Canyon is amazing!

Sunset and my last night at the North Rim until I can return.
This is a special place.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Leaving West Yellowstone I traveled to Willard Bay State Park in Utah to stay in the Campground.

Riding my bike around before the storm, I encountered the vicious Mosquitoes!  The next day it is raining as I drive through Salt Lake City and head to Cedar Breaks National Monument.  I laugh as I pass Sunset Point and it is all foggy!

Cedar Breaks National Monument the next day.

 Point Supreme Campground at 10,000 feet!  It takes my breath away to go to the Rest Room.

 The next day I am amazed at The Amphitheater of Cedar Breaks.  They call it a small Bryce Canyon.

 The Ranger Station were I listen to a talk on What's Bugging Cedar Breaks?

The answer is Nothing.  The Cedar Bark Beetle had killed many trees because of draught and fire suppression.  Everything is now back in Balance.

Chessman Ridge Overlook

 Cedar Breaks
The next day!

On My way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I can't wait.  It is raining again.

Picnic in Yellowstone

As I sit in Vanna it is pouring rain, thunder and lightening.  My neighbors and I are going out to dinner tonight as I am leaving tomorrow.   The mountain storm is exciting!

I hiked along the Madison River and did this painting.

If you go down in the woods today,                                      
You're sure of a big surprise.                                                    
If you go down in the woods today,                                        
You'd better go in disguise.    
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain because
Today's the day the Teddy Bear's have                
                                  their picnic.

I sing Teddy Bear's Picnic as I walk along and wonder if that is a good idea?

                            Bears eat 100,000 berries a day.  I learned this from a Park Ranger.

Picnic time with my neighbors.

We walked Norris Geyser Basin

Steamboat Geyser.

Clark's  Nutcracker at our picnic

I enjoy reading at Space 37 Wagon Wheel

Dinner and Football at the Buffalo Bar.  It's filled with Denver Fans.
I'm glad I left at half time!  I didn't enjoy Wes Welker in Denver with Payton Manning.
I leave West Yellowstone tomorrow for Willard Bay State Park in Utah.
I hope I return soon.

Old Faithful Still Faithful

 Drawing from my sketchbook, as I watched Old Faithful erupt.  A 4 1/2 year old girl couldn't leave my side until I finished.  Her mother took my picture and asked my name.  They were from Minnesota.

 The third painting so far of Old Faithful.  I'm trying to get looser and more flowing.

The 2nd Painting the next day at my outdoor studio.

The photo of Old Faithful erupting.

 The Old Faithful Lodge were I worked when I was 19, as did John Baker my ex-husband.  It's still standing!

Looking toward Old Faithful Inn.

I was sitting in the rocking chair at the Lodge sketching the Old Faithful Inn.

 The Grand Prismatic Geyser is astonishing.

 I met two PleinAire artists from Bozeman that were going to paint the geyser in oils.  It was hot and steamy all I did was a quick sketch.  Carol, one of the artists, told me about the app Value Viewer for
PleinAire Painters.

 My outdoor studio at Wagon Wheel Space 37.  It was very nice for painting the next day.

The Grand Prismatic Geyser

Quick sketch at the geyser.
I had such a nice day.   Life is Good!