This year it was quick and easy to get moved in to the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park for my ninth summer season. I am so happy that someone else tow the 5th-wheel this year. Saved me the trouble of taking the slide-in truck-camper off and then back on again. It’s kind of a pain. Of course unlike the last eight years, this haul was only 85 miles and about 1 1/2 hours. Previously, from Yarnell, I took two days to go 370 miles, typically stopping in Flagstaff a night or two to stock up on groceries and supplies. I am now 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours from shopping again.
By the time Bill arrived at 9am I was pretty much packed. There were things to put in his truck, things to put in my camper, and then at 10 Dan arrived and hooked up to the 5er and we were on the road 15 minutes later. Was very strange to look in my side mirror and see my house behind someone else’s truck. All three vehicles caravanned up the Kaibab Plateau, through the forest and to the North Rim.
Sadly, there is very little snow, only a few patches in the forest. The tiny lakes are full and water stands in a few low places on the meadows. As much as I don’t like cold and snow the Earth needs the moisture. There is a prediction for snow Monday. At the 8200 foot North Rim we often see snow into June.
Morning view
Pulled into Admin at 11am AZ time. My new supervisor Mandi was there and showed me on a map where I had been assigned to park on Dusty Road yet explained there were options. Sure glad of that because my Imax windows would have been backed up almost to another RV. Yuck. Instead I chose #9 Abbey Road. I look out into a forest—no canyon views this year—of my favorite tree, Ponderosa Pine. And I’m less than 1/4 mile from the rim of Transept Canyon.
Dan backed the RV into my new parking place, we got it leveled, then hooked up to electric, water, and sewer, and put the slides out. With a little rearranging, I was home sweet home again. And surprisingly I occasionally have a phone signal anywhere from 1x to 4g. It’s real hit and miss. But better than nothing. I will set up the Wilson booster and hope for improvement.
After dinner Bill, Sasha and I walked to the rim for sunset. The wind blowing in the tree tops sounding like waves crashing on the shore. What a thrill to see golden color over the Widforss Plateau once again.
Yet the cool cold breeze sent us back home where, surprise surprise, we could see the sunset through a very dirty window. Does anyone out there wash windows?
And now I have until Monday morning to settle in.
New supervisor? Personnel changes up there this year?
Robin left middle of last season and Mandi took over on detail, now permanent. All new GCA staff to train.
For scenery, how are the North Rim & South Rim different? Is one prettier than the other?
Have fun settling in.
There are no bad views of Grand Canyon. The South Rim is closer to the river for expansive views while the North Rim is closer to the topography.
Your picture of the drive through the meadows brought back memories. We miss the place and the people. Have a great year.
I’ve passed along your hellos to John and Jeremy. We miss you. Visit this summer? Lots of tent space behind my RV for guests.
Lovely view from your window:) I bet it feels good to be settled. Enjoy your weekend!
I am definitely a xylophile. Great to be back to the canyon.
Home sweet home for another season!
I love that you have a rocking chair in your RV.
I’ve loved this family heirloom since I was a small child. Won’t let anybody sit in it. Hope you are well.
oooh, that’s a relief that you have a tiny signal, even if it’s just enough to get a few emails in and out. Hope the Wilson helps!
Going to try and put up the Wilson today.
So nice to have wonderful friends to help you move. I too hope the Wilson will help your signal and am glad there are some compensations for having to leave your previous wonderful site. Is the site switch a result of the new supervisor? What happened to your site of many years?
The scenic sight I was in the last two seasons is no longer being used by seasonals.
Well that’s a bummer. Who are the lucky ones now?
Looks like you ended up with a pretty nice spot. Hope the booster gets you a better internet signal.
I confess to being a bit fanatical about keeping the windows clean in the RV. It drives me crazy to look out through dirty glass.
It’s a beautiful site. Want to come clean my windows?
Hi, Gaelyn, Your photographs and writeup of your arrival on the Rim brought back many fond memories of our days up there. I am pretty sure I speak for Nancy too when I say that we still do miss the wonderful people we worked with, the beauty of the place, and sometimes the unexpected, like interrupting a star party because of an approaching thunderstorm. However, neither of us miss the moving from our home in May and then moving back in sometime in late September to mid-October. Hope you have a wonderful season. We will be reading your postings!
Thank you George. We up here miss you too. Moving is the tough part but taking your home with you is easier I think. Maybe a visit this summer?
I really really miss the North Rim and all the people Jim and i worked with up there. It’s sad that you can’t have that spot anymore just because you are seasonal. Best internet, best views, and best place to hang out after work. People just dropped by on their way home to sit and talk a minute. I hope you get a good signal going. And sad that there was not much snow. That could make fire season tough.
Presumably, all those sites were built for temporary workers building the apartments. This year the management team decided to take them out. I will certainly miss the stupendous view, and signal. It’s almost all permanents in that area. Predicted to get snow tomorrow but not much. It’s scary dry under the pines. Sure wish you were both here this summer. Miss ya’s.
Ah, I see. No need to reply to my reply to your reply. LOL
New views for a new season with new personnel. Good to be back home in any case, and the pines are lovely 🙂 Sweet to have a friend deliver your home. I’m already excited to see the North Rim here again this summer.
I’m late arriving — hope your first day back at work went beautifully. I kind of like the new location for your home (as an RVer it is kind of fun to have new views out of your same wonderful house — I loved that so much)….. but I do hope you get your signal thing fixed.
Great first day at work. The wonder of living in a RV, no matter where you are, when you close the curtains you’re home.