People get out on these scary outcroppings to get the perfect picture. Sometimes they misstep into 1200 ft. of nothing but air. Don't need that gene pool anymore anyway.

Cactus in bloom on Rim Trail

El Tovar Lodge

Sat, 6/27/09

Mather NF Campground, Grand Canyon, South Rim: This morning we decided to drive south on Rt. 64 to the south entrance of the park and the little town of Tusayan. There’s a National Geographic IMAX film we want to see there. Also checked out the National Forest campground a little south of town which is another nice one. Back to our campsite and had a light lunch and read a little. Then we drove over to Yavapai (Yah-vah-pie) Point and Observation Station. I believe this building was constructed in the early 1900s and offers a spectacular view of the canyon from both the rim trail and inside the building. We could see Phantom Ranch (on the Colorado River), the metal bridge spanning the Colorado, Bright Angel Trail, and you could almost see Indian Garden. Walked the rim trail for a while which goes right along the rim with no walls or guard rails. It’s mostly paved so really easy walking. But I was amazed again at the behavior of the people on the trail. This one mother had her kids sit on a rock at the edge of an abyss so she could get their picture. One of the kids started to go around the boulder which would have meant a shear drop until she screamed at him. Another parked their two kids in a stroller very close to the edge and left them unattended while they checked out the view. We walked down to Mather Point and then back to Yavapai. Drove over to the rim lodges and parked by Bright Angel Lodge and then walked the rim trail to El Tovar Lodge to have dinner. Pretty fancy and very pricy, but it was good and we had a great view of the canyon from our table. After dinner I wanted to walk part of the Bright Angel Trail which starts a little way down from Bright Angel Lodge. My fear of heights would never allow me to hike this trail. It starts with a series of switchbacks right on the edge. I could never do it. The mule rides go down this trail also. Back home and sat outside for a while enjoying the great evening. 81 today. Went down to the 40s last night.