Mr. D Writes About the Grand Canyon
A view from the Bright Angel Point trail at 7:30 a.m.
The charts and graphs you made are outstanding! I know you must have spent a lot of time working on them. I believe you are correct in your temperatures for the week, however, I cannot tell you if the humidity or the barometer are correct (my guess is, they are). I can tell you from personal experience that the wind on Wednesday was gusting at over 100 mph in some parts of the North Rim. It's too bad that I could not record the sound of that wind so that you and the others could hear it howl!
Thank you for the hard work. I am truly impressed.
Your Slightly Wind Blown Key Pal,
Mr. D
Let me tell you about the trails that I "hiked." The trail to Bright Angel is only about 1/4 mile long and is located at the back of the Grand Canyon Lodge. It is very hilly (caused this old flatlander to be pretty exhaused) and drops off into the canyon on both sides. I have pictures (I hope).
The Transept trail is really a continuation of the Bright Angel and takes you on a nice stroll through the woods and along the edge of the canyon. I have pictures (I hope) of the canyon at sunset taken along this trail. This trail is 1 1/4 miles long and I hiked most of it. The last part takes you to the campground, and I really wasn't interested in that part.
It is hard to say what the most beautiful thing was on the trip. The canyon at sunrise and sunset is stunning, bathed in orange and red hues against the most blue sky you have ever seen. The night time sky is also beautiful. Because there are no city lights you can see the "Milky Way" and more stars than you can imagine. Of course, after a full day fighting the wind and the cold, the hills and the valleys, and all, the bed looked pretty good every night.
Finally, yes, I did have fun seeing my daughter. She introduced me to everyone as "dad" and I got the run of the place. Daddy's love their daughters so much you can't believe. It is always special to see someone you love sooo much.
See ya' later,
Mr. D
Boy, *did I* enjoy my trip to the Grand Canyon! You asked about the plants and animals. First of all, let me tell you that driving into the area (even before getting into the National Park) you see deer standing all along the sides of the road and in the meadows (such beautiful meadows) grazing. Once inside the park the deer are protected (they cannot be hunted) and the number of deer you see increase dramatically. On my first morning in the park I was starting to walk the Bright Angel trail and a family of deer walked by so close I could actually touch them. There was a young deer, a doe, and a 4 point buck! It was really cool!
The plants in the canyon area are typically desert type plants. Sage brush is everywhere, the Blue Spruce trees were astounding. At night, when the car headlights lit the branches it looked as though snow was covering them. The Aspen trees had mostly lost their leaves, but some were still decked out in their golden best. The white bark of the trees, along with the bright golden leaves vibrating in the breeze, highlighted against the darker trees made for a sight that I will not soon forget.
The Grand Canyon is layered and there are many colors. The colors range from white to very dark red. I have some pictures (I hope) that I will share with you later.
The night sky is beautiful. Away from the city lights, the sky and the stars go on forever. You can even see the Milky Way (the galaxy, not the candy bar) and understand how it got its name.
I didn't find any fossils. And, since I know almost nothing about geology, I cannot tell you the names of the rocks I saw. Sorry.
"Hello, Houston. This is Mr. D, lost in Arizona. Do you copy, Houston?" Yes, I did see the "mission control" picture and loved it.
I stayed in a hotel room run by the National Park's Service. Not exactly roughing it!
Gotta go till next time,
Your Canyon Key Pal,
Mr. D
Nice job of researching and answering all the questions. I did not calculate the actual time that I was in the airplane (I think your calculation is correct) but I do know the total time traveling to was about 14 hours. Holy Smokes!, was I tired that night.
Thanks for all your hard work. Write anytime.
Your New Pal,
The Travelin' Mr. D
I saw the pictures of the airplanes and the string. Neat! Good job on the latitude and longitudes. Maybe you could explain which is which to me someday.
You asked, "Why do you travel?" I reply, just nuts, I guess. No, really, I have to travel for my work a lot. I thought I told you this before. Am I ever going to visit Delmar? Hope so.
Outta here,
Mr. D
Some of the trails are named after people who lived and explored there many years ago. Other, such as Bright Angel, are named after rock formations that look like something (if you really, really use your imagination). Some (Kaibab) are Indian words.
Speaking of Kaibab, there is a squirrel called the Kaibab that is black but has a beautiful WHITE tail that almost looks like an ostrich plume. They are only found in the area of the North Rim.
Mrs. J does sometimes travel with me. She did not this time because she had to attend the national convention of the Girl Scouts in Dallas, TX. It is always more fun to visit neat places with someone, rather than alone.
Well, that finishes your questions. On to the next one.
Your Kaibab Bud,
Mr. D
Yes, I was coooold at the Grand Canyon. Not freezing, not wet cold, just cold. Keep in mind that anything below 50 degrees is cold for a Florida boy such as myself.
A six point deer is a buck (male) deer with antlers that have 6 points.
Yes, altitude most definately affects the heart rate. The higher one goes, the less oxygen molecules are present in the air and the heart and lungs compensate by causing the heart and breathing rates to increase.
The highest point that I was at was about 8200 feet above sea level. Of course this does not include the flying altitude which was about 39,000 feet above sea level!
It only took a little while to hike down to Bright Angel Point. It was *only* 1/4 mile from the lodge.
It didn't take long to hike the Widforss because I was so tired we stopped before we really began. Next time I will hike the whole thing.
Point Imperial is a place where you can see the highest point in the Grand Canyon. I have pictures (if they come out).
Groups of trees are called *a stand.* This is like a bunch of cows being called a herd.
A Winnebago is a travel trailer that has an engine and you can drive it instead of pull it. They are great if you are in one, not so great if you are behind one.
Scenic usually means that the outdoors you are looking at is very interesing or pretty.
People with pacemakers can easily live to be over 100. In fact some patients do not get their pacemaker until they are older than 100. What do you think that Mrs. Weeg will look like when she is over 100? Pretty funny, huh?
I do not know what you mean by, "the main part of the Grand Canyon." Most tourists only visit the South Rim. Look at a road map and see if you can figure out why.
You're welcome for the Florida Map.
Laura worked as a hostess and cashier at the Grand Canyon Lodge Restaurant.
Cape Royal is about 1/2 mile long. But this does not begin to describe the beauty there. I took pictures (hope they come out).
The Transept Trail is a trail that runs along a part of the canyon known as the Transept.
The sunrise and sunsets are very pretty. The pink and reddish color of the canyon becomes blood red and the sky goes from black to indigo (very dark blue/purple) to dark blue to blue (do this part backward for sunset).
An outcropping of rock is just an area of rock plateau (like a small platform) that sticks out over the canyon. Real neat.
For my 1st dinner (day 1) I had a Steak and baked potatoe. For dessert I had Rainbow Sherbet.
When and if the pictures come out, I will scan and send them over to Mrs. Weeg for all to see.
Hearts come in all sizes and conditions. Big hearts are not consider good pumps. Most normal adult hearts are about the same size.
Catch you later,
Your Key Pal,
Mr. D
Unfortunately I did not get to ride on a donkey. It would have been fun.
There are some guard rails along parts of the Grand Canyon. It would be impossible to put them everywhere.
It's not that parents are scared of heights, it's parents of boys are scared that their son's are *not* scared of anything and it is a long way down.
You're welcome for the map.
See ya' Pal,
Mr. D
Delos Johnson