Feeling settled in and unpacked in my 5th-wheel home and the camper is back on the truck so it must be time to get back on the road again. I drive up to Grand Canyon’s south rim Thursday and meet Bill. Just can’t get enough of that big ditch.
Made reservations for the 4th Grand Canyon History Symposium in August. Check in Friday November 4th from 5-7pm followed by a special evening presentation about the WPA Park Posters by Doug Leen. Saturday there is a full agenda of 16 presenters and another special evening program called Grand Canyon’s Fifty Finest Features presented by Gary Ladd. Subjects range from Native American stories, photography, botany, architecture, river running and more. Then Sunday from 9-11am Lyle Balenquah and Jason Nez will lead a special tour. Plus Saturday historic boats will be displayed outside the Shrine of Ages.
Friends have offered parking and we can use Bill’s truck and the shuttles to get around. I’m really excited about this learning opportunity. Four years ago I attended this symposium and learned a lot at this “gathering of professional and avocational historians who will speak about historical topics specific to Grand Canyon National Park. The goals of the symposium are to increase the knowledge and understanding of the history pertaining to the Grand Canyon and adjacent areas, and to promote communication and sharing among canyon historians, writers and enthusiasts.”
Then Monday we’re off to Page for the water release at Glen Canyon Dam beginning at 10am. This is the fourth high-flow experiment “to move sand stored in the river channel and redeposit it to rebuild eroded sandbars and beaches downstream of the Paria River in Grand Canyon National Park.”
That night we plan to camp at the Glen Canyon Dam National Recreation Area Lone Rock beach along Lake Powell.
Tuesday we’ll go to Lee’s Ferry below the dam and see what the water flow looks like from there.
This should also include a stop at Navajo Bridge where we might get lucky and see a California Condor, or two. Plus the Rio de Colorado should be running true to form as a River of Red.
BTW, Veteran’ Day November 11 is a Fee Free day to all National Parks. Personally, I have a Senior Geezer Pass so go free every day. How about you? Which park will you visit?