Last week our daughter, Becca, and her boyfriend, Ken came to visit. They arrived late on Saturday night. On Sunday after breakfast, we all drove up to Cape Royal, my favorite place here at the North Rim. The sun was shining down, and we were having a great time.
The view from Cape Royal is awesome, in my opinion one of the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon. It is where I take anyone who comes to visit, also, it is were I send visitors to the park who ask me where they should go.
So, this was the first time we have met Becca’s guy. He is very nice, very thoughtful, very intelligent, and it is obvious to me that she is in love with him, and that he is in love with her. I really like him. But, Fabgrandpa is one of those guys who seems to find fault with anyone who comes courting his daughters. His actions sort of reminded me of a gorilla beating his fists on his chest to claim his territory, and made an otherwise lovely visit a little tense. I wish he could just be happy that she has found someone who loves her and makes her happy. Why do men act like that? (to my family members who read this, please don’t say anything to him, it will only make it worse. Just let me vent here, ok?)
Here I am with Ken. He is an avid photographer, and takes some really gorgeous shots. He has a really nice camera that I am jealous of.
There’s Becca, waaayyyy over there near the edge on the right hand side of the cliff, between two bushes. If you click to enlarge the photo, you’ll see she is waving to me.
We walked all the little trails at Cape Royal. I think we spent a couple of hours up there.
Before coming home, we hiked down to Cliff Springs. FabGrandpa and I hiked there last year, and I really wanted Becca and Ken to see it. There is a spring there, that drips out of the side of the cliffs. Indians used to get water there for their crops when they grew corn, squash, and beans up here years ago.
This is one of my favorite photos from their visit. We were resting under the cliffs, waiting for the rain to go away. Becca was sitting there taking in the view.
This was the storm coming in . There was lightening and thunder going on, which I don’t really like, but we were safe enough where we were sitting.
When we got back from our trip to Cape Royal and the Cliff Springs, Becca and Ken were going to take us all out to the lodge for dinner, but we couldn’t get a reservation. We made dinner at home, and made a reservation for the next night. On Monday, it was my last day off, so I stayed home and rested. Becca and Ken went back up to Cape Royal and hiked out to Green Lake, which is a tiny lake about 100 yards off the road. It is gorgeous and not many people see it because they don’t know it’s there.
The lodge has massive exposed beams and huge chandiliers. There are huge windows on the canyon side so if you are lucky enough to get a table there you can have your dinner with a great view. We didn’t get a window table, though. I had prime rib, which came with asparagus and a baked potato. It was excellent. Thanks Ken and Becca! I really appreciated that!
I had to work the rest of the time they were here, so they went hiking on several trails for the rest of the time they were here. They hiked out to Widforss Point, to Cape Final, and to Bright Angel Point a couple of times. I am glad they went out there and saw as much of the area as they could.
Ilex, their 12 year old dog, came with them. She relaxed in the trailer most of the day. She is a very good dog.
All too soon it was time for them to leave for home. I was working at the entrance station when they left. They stopped and walked over to say goodbye, and even though I had a line waiting to get in, I took the time to hug them both tight. The next guy I waited on commented about my eyes leaking as they drove away.
How beautiful! Stunning!! It looks like something out of a dream and doesn’t seem like it is real. Glad that you had a nice visit in such gorgeous surroundings.
How lovely to have your daughter and friend to visit. The scenery is stunning. My daughter and son in law love hiking too. They would love it there. They just spent a week in the Swiss Alps (see my blog). I can relate to your feelings about father’s and their daughters’ partners. Luckily all are OK at the moment.
What a beautiful visit Karen. What a beautiful gift of scenery you were able to give them.
I’m so glad they came to visit. And you all, almost, had a great time.
those photos are just gorgeous, I mean it.
Fab grandpa is funny, i’m sure it was a nice visit inspite of the tension from time to time.
Dear Fab Grandma — I just found your blog through blogher and I’m sending it to my mom who has been traveling every summer in their RV with my dad. My mom is also gluten intolerant — and she too only discovered this when she was about 60. Anyway — I’ve had a great time reading and gazing at the photos. Thank you!
Wow Karen, what beautiful scenery and what stunning photos. I love you daughter and her boyfriend. I'm so glad you spent time with them – quality time because it was outdoors in Nature. Thanks for sharing such a specail time.