Picto Diary - 12 September 2018 - Lee's Ferry

Out and about on the Duc. North Rim Grand Canyon. 12 September 2018.

One of many motorcycle trips to various vista points at the Grand Canyon. Last one was ten years ago, with Markco, to Havalupi Indian platform overlook on the South Rim, 50 miles west of here.

15 years ago Chris Draayer, at a vista point on the South Rim, asked a girl to take his picture. She said, "sure," and held out her hand for his camera. "No," said Chris, "with your camera, not mine."

— at Grand Canyon National Park.

Above: Out and About on the Duc. Vermillion Cliffs. US 89 A, Arizona. 12 September 2018.

There is a revived condor population occupying these cliffs, though as the population grows, they are unable to find enough food in the area. Condor lovers are now dropping road kill in strategic spots to keep them fed.

Above: Out and about on the Duc. Lee's Ferry. Glen Canyon, Colorado River. Arizona. 12 September 2018.

Bishop channels the past.

In early 1880's, great grandparents, newlyweds, Abel Alexander DeWitt and Caroline Skouson DeWitt, crossed the Colorado River at this spot coming from Eager, Arizona on their way to St. George, Utah to have their marriage solmnized in the St. George LDS Temple.

My mom's father's parents.

Why do I get chills as I try to ponder who Abel and Caroline were and what they were thinking as they crossed the river here?

The Ferry was run by Mormons from inception in the late 1850's through the turn of the century.

The first ferry master was John D. Lee, convicted and executed in the 1860's for his part in the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857.

After the dedication of the Mesa, Arizona LDS temple in 1927, LDS couples no longer had need to travel via Lee's Ferry to St. George to marry.

Above: Out and About on the Duc. Monument Valley. US 163. Goulding's, Utah 12 September 2018.

Iconic spot. Never tire of visiting here. Unfortunately, the maintenance and the presentation could use a bit of spiffing up. Area is under the supervision of the Navajo Nation and not the National Park's service. But, you can squint and enjoy it all still.

Hat tip: Mike Salisbury.

Out and About on the Duc. Gouldings. Monument Valley, UT. 12 September 2018.

The Mediator contemplates the sunset... and the terminator.

First time I've stayed in Goulding's detached cabins. The normal rooms were sold out to the myriad of French, German, Chinese and Japanese tour groups... the cabins were a bit more pricey, but, I was impressed with the execution and design.

The Mediator arrived shortly after I did, after he had taken the long, through northwestern New Mexico, route here from Durango.

Jack, The Mediator, and Mwah (sic) enjoyed talking old times.

Today's route:

Mt. Carmel Junction, UT
Kanab, UT
Fredonia, AZ
Jacob Lake, AZ
North Rim Grand Canyon, AZ
Jacob Lake, AZ (lunch)
Lee's Ferry, AZ
Navajo Bridge, AZ
Page, AZ
Kayenta, AZ
Monument Valley (rendezvous with the Mediator)

Circa 350 miles.

Addendum:

Hippo should consider entering the Winston Churchill look alike contest, you should consider the Ernest Hemingway look alike contest in Key West after you grow your beard out a bit and donning a sailor's turtleneck knit sweater.

Nathans,
Massapeaqua, NY

Yes. I'll consider the Ernest Hemingway look alike contest. I've visited Hemingway haunts around the world.

Paris. Cafe Deux Magots
Pamplona. Running of the bulls.
Havana. Home
Key West. Home
Ketchum. Home.

Hi Steve,

I have a picture of the sign at the THUNDERBIRD from a few years ago with Ronnie Weinzapfel. We stopped there for lunch on our annual trip through Utah. As I understand, the original sign at the Thunderbird dates back to the late 1940s while Zion was being developed around that time. There was a shortage of wood so the owner shortened the phrase “Home of the Home-Made Pies” to “Home of the Ho-Made Pies” to save on how much wood he needed for the sign. With the voluptuous waitress on the sign, in today’s society it can lead to some confusion since Ho-Made means something different than it did in the 1940s.

Take Care,

Tim,
Colorado Springs, CO

Did you and Ronnie get to Alaska? Report?