For the last three days clouds across northern Arizona teased the Grand Canyon with brief sprinkles of rain but mostly just a fabulous show.

Clouds above Marble Canyon SR89A ArizonaLeft the North Rim with a fellow Ranger Monday afternoon.  The other five of our Ranger staff had taken five days to hike rim to rim and we met them on the South Rim for two days of training.

Cloud tipped temples Lippan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMade a quick stop at Lipan Point because it was just too beautiful not to with tiny clouds tickling the tips of the temples.

Sunset cloud South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaIt was a great training with lots of new information and ideas but did mean spending our days indoors.  By the time we’d get done with dinner it was either too late or we were too tired to get to the rim for what looked like it would have been gorgeous sunsets.

Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThen on the way east out of the park we stopped at Desert View Watchtower.

Canyon view reflection Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaWhen Mary Coulter designed this 70 foot tower in the 1930s a “new” feature with reflective mica mirrors was added giving visitors an automatic filtering of views across the canyon.

Clouds Desert View South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAs we walked to the parking lot this towering shape appeared above.

Clouds above Painted Desert SR89 Arizona

Clouds above Painted Desert SR89 ArizonaBut the best cloud show by far appeared on the drive home with billowing clouds above the Painted Desert which may or may not have dropped rain to the ground.

Crepuscular rays Vermilion Cliffs Marble Canyon ArizonaThen a grand finale of crepuscular rays beaming through the ragged tops of the Vermilion Cliffs creating an urethral glow.

Sun glow on Vermilion Cliffs SR89A ArizonaNo time to stop so I shot through the window. Only brief sprinkles fell. I am so blessed to live in this spectacular land.