After a snack for lunch as we sat on the veranda of the Bright Angel Lodge we watched squirrells try to steal food from everyone. Signs were posted everywhere “Don’t Feed the Squirrells” I don’t think the squirrells could read.
The Bright Angel Lodge and the El Tovar Lodge were the oldest lodges in Canyon Village. Canyon Village is inhabited by 2000 people that live there year round and work for the company. It is kinda like the song says owe your soul to the company store. The Company is Xanterra Parks and Resorts and they provide their employees with housing amoung other things. The Village has a school, general store, post office and a doctor’s office. All the guides we had seem to really love living and working there.
This is the fireplace in the Bright Angel Lodge, it’s hard to see in the picture but this was designed by Mary Colter and each layer of stones represents each layer of the canyon. Colter was a female architect and designed in the early 20’s and designed many landmark buildings many of which were here at the Grand Canyon; Hopi House, The Lookout, Hermit’s Rest, Phantom Ranch and the Desert View Lookout.
These are some of her works.
We were privileged to be able to see the last show of the season by the Navajo and the Hopi Tribes.
She is doing a butterfly dance.
He is doing a dance to honor the Navajo Code Talkers. His Grandfather was a Code Talker during World War II.
He is doing a Hoop Dance from the Hopi Tribe. At one time he was dancing with all the hoops you see in the picture and never missed a step.
And before we left the Grand Canyon I adopted a Lion. It was well worth it to know that every cent went to help with the population of Mountain Lions. If only I could have brought him home!
After a very busy and long day we boarded the train to head back to Williams. The ride back was two and half hours. We only thought we would get to rest or maybe even sleep on the way back but there was just too much going on for that. First we had a fiddler come by and serenade us.
And then we had a gang of bandits hop on the train and proceed to rob everybody!
And then the Sheriff comes on board to try and catch these train robbers
After all of this we shared a champagne toast that we survived!
Back in Williams, Arizona and checked into the Grand Canyon Hotel. Supper and a little walk around the resort before we both are ready to call it another wonderful day with lots of memories for a lifetime.
Adventures with Cindy 