The next day our goal was to get up and hike down the Bright Angel Trail. I had read in my National Park Bible that Michael got me, that it was best to get on the trail earlier in the day since the trail is still in the shade at that point. Our first stop was at Maswik Lodge for breakfast. They had a cafeteria style breakfast and we just wanted to eat and go. We got things like yogurt, sausage and waffles. There was an employee there that was really nice. He hung around and chatted with us a bit. He told us there would be a full moon that night and that we should absolutely go out and see the canyon after dark.
After breakfast we drove over and thankfully found a parking spot right next to the Bright Angel Trailhead. We brought with us 2 small backpacks with water and snacks. We told the kids we were only going to go down about 1.5 miles because that's when the trail gets steeper. Plus we informed them that how ever long it takes us to get down it will take us double to get back up.
Beauty around ever corner!
We told the kids to walk on the inside part of the trail. We also went over what to do if we came upon a donkey. You are supposed to stand on the inside portion of the trail and don't move or make sounds. There has actually been donkeys that have gotten spooked by people and gone over the edge. Thankfully when we set out the donkeys had already left with their riders for the day.
Right when we started down we ran into a group coming up the trail. Each of them were carrying a pretty good size backpack and they all had walking poles. I asked them what time they started out since they were coming out of the canyon already. One of the ladies answered and told me 4 days ago. They had started at the North Rim and were just ascending on the South Rim. We read later that to do that whole trail it's 24 miles. Michael and I would love to do that one day!
On our way down we met some really sweet people. The kids had so much fun talking with them about our trip. I was worried the kids might be annoying them, but they were so happy to talk with them. I just love that my kids aren't afraid to talk to other adults and socialize. I'm always telling the kids anytime I'm out and about it's always an opportunity to make new friends.
There was a sign prior to this tunnel that showed a stick figure person throwing up. It was warning you about the signs of dehydration.
I was actually really worried about the climb down....I have terrible knees. In fact my knees are no good for going down hill, but uphill they do great. Thankfully it wasn't that steep. I think it was shortly after this tunnel, the trail turned back on itself and got significantly steeper. Our plan had always been to go to the 1.5 mile mark which was supposed to be when the trail got steeper and there was supposed to be a watering station. We never saw the watering station and the since the trail got steeper and was now in the sun we decided it was time to head back. It took us about 45 mins to get down so we knew we still had about an hour and a half to climb back up. It was a smart choice!
Thankfully parts of the trail on the way back up were still in the shade so that helped a bunch.
We of course stopped a bunch for water breaks and to catch our breath.
Love living life with this man!
I know that some people just don't get it....yes it's a hole in the ground, but every minute you look at it you see something new. The sun is illuminating some other aspect of the canyon you hadn't seen before. It's just absolutely breathtaking!
Making memories is the best part!
Almost to the top!
Taking a breather on these nice rocks!
When we were almost to the top of the trail we saw this cute squirrel. He was so sweet!
He was absolutely used to being around people. Since we didn't eat our trail mix we decided to share some with him. It was September so we were just helping him get chubby for winter!
After that hike we decided to drive around to other viewpoints. We actually walked quite a bit of the Rim Trail.
It's crazy how you walk just a little ways and you get a whole new view of the canyon.
It's always so nice when people will take our picture!
We spotted the California Condor!
There was this man-made amphitheater that was along the trail. It was nice place to climb up and take a picture!
One of these picture Michael and I walked off the trail and got closer to the edge. The kids were FREAKING out. They thought we were going to die!
Cute kiddos!
On the backside of the amphitheater there was a whole squad of squirrels. The kids have loved squirrels ever since seeing that squirrel obstacle course from Mark Rober on YouTube.
We had to stay around and watch the squirrels and of course the kids named almost all of them!
They were hilarious how comfortable they were with people. Just lounging around in the sun on the rocks. If they ever did get too nervous they literally just ran over the edge of the cliff to get away. Their little hands and feet make them perfect climbers. It was totally amazing!
So gorgeous!
My beautiful blessings!!!!
After hiking the Rim Trail we decided to head back to the Lodge and eat lunch. We weren't sure what we wanted to do next. We didn't really want to go on the bus tour since you had to wear a mask, but we decided that it would be silly to have that hold us back from doing something fun. We knew we for sure didn't want to hang out at the Lodge all day. So off to the bus we went.
The bus was nice in that it dropped you off at a viewpoint and then another one would come along and take you to another viewpoint.
We stopped at 3 different viewpoints. The first 2 drivers were so incredibly hard to hear and understand over the bus's speaker system.
Another squirrel friend!
At one of the stops we just decided to walk to the next viewpoint. The trail was right on the edge at certain points and I feel like we spent the majority of the time trying to keep Zeke alive. In fact I told him my number 1 goal was to come home with 4 children not 3!
Absolutely gorgeous!
The third bus driver was the best! If I remember right she used to be a bus/tour driver for Disney which makes sense why she was so amazing! She was also so much clearer...not sure if that was just due to her having a better speaker system or what, but it was great. She did tell us about how some of the stops worked and which stops actually take you back to the main bus depot. We were planning on heading to the end of the line which is called Hermits Rest, but she told us that it can be a bugger to get bus's out of there since the bus drivers all take their break and then the lines get bogged down. I think because of that almost everyone on that bus decided to just head back to the depot from that second to the last stop. Only thing was there was only so much room on the buses that were leaving that last stop so it was kind of a nightmare!
The look on Ella's face is pretty much how everyone at our bus stop felt! It was HOT and we were tired and ready to get back. The first bus that stopped and didn't have enough room told us he'd call his supervisor and they'd send another bus just for us. The second bus that came was only able to take 6 people. Since this was still during Covid they were leaving all this seating in the front next to the driver open. It was hard seeing buses not getting filled drive away. I believe it was the third bus...it was our original bus driver and he recognized us and said....I'm gonna take you guys you've been waiting a long time. It was so nice to get into the air conditioned bus!
I'm still super glad we took the bus because we got to see the canyon from so many different angles.
By this point it was time to start thinking about dinner. We decided to go to the Bright Angel Lodge. We did not want a repeat of yucky food so we put our names in at the dining room. They said it was going to be about 1hr 40 mins, but that would be worth it to get yummy food. I went with Ella & Zeke to the gift shop while Michael took the older boys outside.
Ella ended up finding an arrow ring and Zeke got a deer stuffie and named it Dawn.
While Michael was outside he saw an ice cream place so he decided why wait until dinner....let's have dessert now!
This boy was all over that idea!
Even though Ella was with me we came out right when Michael was getting to the front of the line so she was able to order something too.
Ice cream with a view!
Not too bad of a place to wait for your dinner reservations! Thankfully it didn't take nearly as long as they thought...we got called back after only waiting 30 minutes!
It was a bit chilly in the restaurant and Owen was a sweet brother and let Ella borrow his coat. What a gentleman!
The food was WAY better than the night before. The kids had popcorn chicken and yummy fries. I'm sure Jackson had a burger though! Michael and I both got the same salad and it was SO yummy! In fact Michael said it was one of his favorite meals of the whole trip!
After dinner it was time to head over to the Visitor Center Viewpoint area to watch the sunset.
We walked down the trail until we found an open spot to sit down.
It was gorgeous!
We were all able to sit on this rock bench. You can see there was another rock ledge in front of us, but still it was a bit scary especially when Zeke is not known for sitting still!
Love these sweet people!
This was Zeke face when he was told that he had to sit down and could not get off the rock! So sorry we're trying to keep you alive buddy!
I love how the shadows make the canyon look so different!
Selfie Time!
Almost down!
Of course our sweet Zeke Man was freezing!
Almost gone!
After the sunset we headed back to the Lodge. We got the kids in bed and then waited for it to get totally dark. We told the kids we were going to run out and look at the canyon in the moonlight and to not worry we'd be right back.
Look at those few bright stars! You can see how the moon is illuminating the canyon as well.
The moon was SO bright!
Michael had actually read that it was perfect time to see the Milky Way. I have been wanting to see the Milky Way for years, but it's never worked out. It still didn't work out because of how bright the moon was.
We were only away from the Lodge for 15 - 20 minutes....it felt weird leaving the kids alone, but they were completely fine.
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