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Category: Grand Canyon National Park North Rim

Ponderous borer

I don’t mean a big person that is boring.

01ecr Ponderous borer at Lodge NR GRCA NPAZ (972x1024)

This Gigantic beetle was scurrying across the Lodge veranda last night and I swear it cast a Huge shadow.  Well, maybe just a shadow on my soul.  (Green flakes drop from the Lodge roof during heavy rain.)

02ecr Mike holding Ponderous borer NR GRCA NP AZ (885x1024)

Mike actually picked it up.  Then before releasing it to vegetation he showed it to curious visitors.

Upon getting home I looked it up in my Kaufman Insect Guide and this is what it had to say:  The ponderous borer, “Ergates spiculatus, bores in Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. The life cycle takes several years. Mature larvae may reach almost 3 inches (70 mm), and the gnawing action of their jaws inspired the invention of the chain saw.”  Mike really laughed at the chain saw part.

03ecr Ponderosa pines by cabins at NR GRCA NP AZ (738x1024)

Also known as a pine sawyer beetle, they eat grubs found in ponderosa pines, of which we have many.

To see other weird and scary bugs from Arizona visit Las Aventuras at http://gardeningandthespanishway-rohrerbot.blogspot.com/2012/07/alien-bugs.html.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim 15 Comments

Meeting bloggers like old friends

This has been the week of meeting bloggers.

01ecr Chuck & Geri bloggers at 3TJs Hurricane UT (1024x629)

Last Friday before leaving Hurricane I was invited to visit Chuck & Geri from http://www.phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/.  The minute we met and hugged we started talking like old friends that just haven’t seen each other in a while.  We went to lunch and before I knew it hours had passed and I still had a three hour drive back to the canyon.

Sunday when I arrived to work at the visitor center Joe from http://www.myqualitytime.net/ and his wife and friends were waiting for me.  More hellos and off the conversation went.  Unfortunately not for long as they were on their way out of the park for more adventures.  I didn’t have my camera so am waiting for photos from Joe.

02ecr Garry & Susie bloggers NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x811)

Wednesday night I visited with Garry from http://geotripper.blogspot.com/ and his wife at their campsite in the North Rim campground.  Again like meeting old friends, plus a geology mentor.  I wish they could have stayed longer to attend the 1st Annual Geology Festival Friday night.  Garry would qualify as a speaker.  I’ve learned so much from his posts about geology in general plus Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau specifically.

03er Blogger Martha & Jules breakfast at Lodge NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x678)

Last month Martha from http://zettsett.blogspot.com/ and her husband camped here also and Mike and I joined them for breakfast at the Grand Lodge.  I love following Martha’s adventures around California.  She gets to places most of us have never seen before and shares the views through her fantastic photography.

04er Canyon from Lodge NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x665)

What a treat to meet people in real time that I’ve been following in the blog world.  Sure hope to meet more of you.  So when can I expect your visit to Grand Canyon?

And speaking of blogging,  I’ve been working on this site to make it easier for folks to follow Geogypsy wherever the path may lead and along the detours through life.  I hope you’ll choose one of the new options on the side bar.  And maybe leave a comment now and then.  I mean, how can I meet you if I don’t know who you are?

Arizona, bloggers, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim 19 Comments

Walhalla Plateau

01er Sky Island & Colorado River from Walhalla overlook NR GRCA NP AZ pano (1024x372)

Where the heroes go.  Or in this case a Park Ranger.  My work schedule finally took me out onto the Walhalla Plateau where I gave a talk about archeology.

02ecr Colorado River from Walhalla overlook NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x652)

Plus the Walhalla Overlook also offers a fine view of the Unkar Delta along the Colorado River where the Ancestral Puebloans lived and farmed on and off for about 400 years.

03er Walhalla ruins GRCA AZ (1024x768) (1024x768)

Walhalla Glades ruin

In fact their population grew to the point where more farm land was needed so during the summer months some of the people would dry farm on the Walhalla Plateau then return to the river delta for winter.  The Southwest’s first snowbirds.

04er Angels Window from Cape Royal trail Walhalla Plateau NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x678)

Also went to Cape Royal at the end of the plateau to give a geology talk.  Along the trail is a wonderful view of Angels Window.

05er Colorado River through Angels Window Cape Royal trail Walhalla Plateau NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x678)

The Colorado River can be seen through the window from the right angle.  A side trail allows you to walk on top of the window as well.

06er Wotons Throne from Cape Royal Walhalla Plateau NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x678)

Then at the end a magnificent view of Grand Canyon and Wotans Throne.  In Norse mythology, Odin, or Wotan, the Wanderer and King of the Gods (god of light, air, and wind) was the father of Thor and the 8 Valkries, the warrior-maidens. He exhausted himself and his godly resources to have a mighty fortress built with the labor of the giants.

07er Freyas Castle & Colorado River from Cape Royal Walhalla Plateau NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x678)

Freia’s Castle lies to the east, named after Wotan’s sister-in-law the goddess of love, youth, and beauty and the keeper of the golden apple tree whose fruit gives power and immortality to the gods.  We have geologist Clarence Dutton to thank for these mythological names.  When you’re the first person to explore a place you get the privilege of naming the landmarks.

“Lo there, do I see my father- Lo there do I see my mother and my sister and my brothers – Lo there I do see the line of my people back to the beginning – Lo they do call to me – they bid me to take my place among them – in the hallowed  halls of Valhalla –  where the brave shall live forever!” ~ Viking Funeral Prayer (Norway ca.500-1000 A.D.?)

08er Cliff rose flowers Walhalla Plateau NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x678)

Cliffrose in bloom

When you visit the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park be sure to take the scenic drive on the Walhalla Plateau.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim 21 Comments

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