Morning in Monument Valley

We were hiking on Wildcat Trail, around the West Mitten, by 6:30 this morning, under heavy skies and spitting snow... on April 17!  Within an hour, the clouds lifted a bit.  We had breakfast and 

then drove the 17 mile drive through Monument Valley.  It is a stunning landscape!

Grand Canyon to Monument Valley

We woke up on the rim of the Grand Canyon this morning.  We soaked up the colors of morning, as we drove along the rim, stopping at almost every viewpoint along the 25 mile East Rim Drive. 

As we drove east, away from the Grand Canyon and onto the Navajo Reservation, 

we stopped to hike at an overlook of a gorge of the Little Colorado River. 

We had lunch in Tuba City and then stopped at Navajo National Monument, as the sky was a mix of sun, clouds, and snow flurries.  We hiked the Sandal Trail to an overlook across the canyon into Betatakin Ruin, a 125 room cliff dwelling.  We were glad we brought binoculars.

At Kayenta, we turned north toward Monument Valley.  We are staying at the View Hotel, with a view of the Mittens from our balcony.  Oh what a sight!  The weather continued with a mix of sun, clouds, and light precipitation until dark.  We're anxious to see what tomorrow morning brings.

Grand Canyon Rim Trail

We arrived at the Grand Canyon around 4 this afternoon, dropped our bags at the hotel, and were hiking the Rim Trail by 4:30.   We hiked about three miles, until the sun was setting and the temperature dropped to the 20's.  It was one of the most beautiful hikes we've ever done. 

Granite Dells

Papa and I drove from Tucson to the Grand Canyon today.  Along the way, we stopped in Prescott for lunch and to visit an art gallery.  Our next stop was the Granite Dells, just north of Prescott.  Granite Dells are a beautiful sight, and especially with the snow capped San Francisco Peaks in the distance.

Listening

As I hiked this week, I listened.  We don't have much extraneous noise on the ranch.  On Friday, 

I paid attention to the sounds while hiking.  I heard flies buzzing, birds chirping, a plane engine far away, wind rustling the grass, air moving under a vulture's wings as he flew, and my heart beating.  We are blessed to have such quiet on the ranch, so that we hear the sounds of nature. 

Orange Mallow

This big patch of orange mallow is growing in the road, uphill of our house, toward Hunter's Camp and Muskhog Peak.  Papa tells me he knows orange mallow as "pink eye," and if you touch it and rub your eyes, your eyes will become irritated. 

Papa Working With the Horses

Papa works with Oscar, Pablo, and Doc every couple of weeks.  He practices getting them in and out of the horse trailer, along with several other exercises.  Mostly the horses play along, with Oscar most often being a "grouch," Doc doing as he's told, and Pablo pouting until its his turn.  I hiked down to the Rock House while Papa was working with the horses this afternoon.

Traven Visit

After a busy day, I hiked down the hill toward the Rock House by mid afternoon.  Colter and Traven were dropping off fence materials, left over from our boundary fence project.  Traven had spent the day with his Dad.  Traven had a bad fall when he was three, with his face hitting a rock.  Most of his front teeth became loose, and by the time he turned five, he had lost nine teeth, and has a snaggle tooth smile!