Summer Journey 2012- North Rim Grand Canyon

School is out and we are on the road for our summer journey!  Travelling north through Arizona, we meandered through Marble Canyon on our way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon!

Climbing up to over 8,000 feet, we are back in the Ponderosa pine forest.  We settled in at the DeMotte forest service campground for the popular Memorial Day weekend.  Located in the Kaibab National Forest, it is just 4 miles from the entry station to the canyon.

Under red flag warnings with bold winds, the high temperature at the rim is expected to be 62* today and possibly only 50* tomorrow.  We have entered back into pants and sweatshirt weather!

Completing his first Jr.Ranger program for the summer, Caleb is exploring the canyon’s ecosystem.  From Aspen & Ponderosa pine, Kaibab squirrels & Mule deer, the North Rim offers a laid back view of the Grand Canyon.

Lake Pleasant, AZ

We ventured out for Spring Break to Lake Pleasant!  There is a Maricopa Regional Park on the lake and we had a great spot with a view of the lake.  The weather was spectacular with temperatures in the low 80’s and a nice breeze.

While the guys were out trying to catch the elusive nesting Bass, they did spot the burros!  The burros remain from early mining operations in the area and now are ‘wild’.  They were wary of humans, as were the fish. 

Later in the week, we were joined by some good friends.  The kids were brave enough to jump into the 59 degree water for some knee boarding!

I decided to keep dry in our Sea Eagle kayaks and watched the girls take one for a spin!

A wonderful time was had relaxing with family and friends in the warm Arizona sunshine- most definitely pleasant!

Imperial Sand Dunes- Gordon’s Well

Toys filled the back of the hauler and we were off to the Imperial Sand Dunes at Gordon’s Well, a  sand landscape with big dunes and good friends.

Caleb ripped through the shifting sand, following the leader.

The dunes are amazingly large and vast.  It’s important to stay close to the person in front of you, because if you lag behind you may lose sight of them behind the next dune. 

Can you see our leader on the right?

Taking a break on top of a dune.

Until next time…