Prickly Perk Coffee

It was closed, but this cleverly named and pleasantly designed coffee house in Wickenburg, AZ was well worth taking a few pictures of.

Wickenburg, AZ part 2

If I remember correctly, this slice of Old Town Wickenburg was written up in Sunset Magazine. Or was it Westways, the AAA magazine?

Wickenburg, AZ

Just passing through this sleepy old Western town...

 

Wickenburg, AZ rest area

The signs look menacing but it was actually a very nice rest area just on the outskirts of Wickenburg, AZ as I was approaching the town for the first time.

Tru breakfast

Westgate

The area known as Westgate in Glendale AZ, where I looked for dinner and found the below at a place called State 48. I can't complain since it was walking distance from the hotel.

 

State Farm Stadium

Sometimes you book room in Glendale, AZ without realizing that the State Farm Stadium is right behind it, where the 2008, 2015 and 2023 Super Bowls took place. I must say that the pool was a nice amenity when it was 100 degrees out.

Tru by Hilton

For a hotel booked almost randomly while driving, Tru by Hilton in Glendale, AZ turned out to be quite decent. It had all the virtues of a newly-minted boutique chain hotel, including a reasonable price and free lobby coffee.

Bass Pro Shop

A world away from the North Rim - over 300 miles and 50 degrees warmer - Glendale, AZ was a partial shock to my system. I had never been to a Bass Pro Shop, although I'd driven by them, and since I had just checked the North Rim off my bucket list, I figured may as well check this curiosity off as well. 

the Montana in Arizona

Northern Arizona doing its best imitation of Montana... Strolling around Kaibab Lodge, I couldn't help thinking that this looked more like Yellowstone than the Grand Canyon.

Scattergories

The lobby of the Kaibab Lodge also had a good supply of board games. I had never played Scattergories (to the best of my knowledge) but it was clearly the kind of game that I enjoyed playing. For fun we played a few rounds, not overly concerned about the rules. A good "brain workout" was had by all.

The Arizona Trail

Thanks to the lobby of Kaibob Lodge, which had a touch of youth hostel vibe, I learned of the existence of the AZT - the Arizona Trail. This map on the wall showed the trail's path from Utah at the north end to Mexico at the southern terminus. Who knew? Now we know that the trail includes the Grand Canyon's rim-to-rim corridor and also runs right by the Kaibab Lodge (which no doubt serves as a stopping point). 

Kaibab Lodge

I must say that the Kaibab Lodge, located outside the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, exceeded my expectations. The best parts were the large, welcoming lobby / community area - a combination of front desk, gift shop, lounge and game room - and the adjoining dining area, lined with windows looking out on the meadows and steeped in a woodsy vibe.

 

Grand Canyon bison?

I must say that these signs came as a surprise. It's true - there ARE bison both on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and in the neighboring Kaibab National Forest. This made the place appear even more like Yellowstone than it already did. Although we didn't see any actual bison, the signs in themselves were big news.

aspen grove

After a pleasant lunch at the General Store, which is located in the main campground, we hiked back to the car via the Bridle Path Trail. Then we drove part way down Cape Royal Road till we hit this aspen grove. I must say that these trees are one of the more striking features of this landscape. A sign explained the relationship and constant interplay between aspens, pines and meadows - something to do with competition for habitat.

Transept Trail

I loved hiking the Transept Trail from the Lodge to the General Store - about a mile and a half. It was wooded and interspersed with great views of the canyon. I remember the charge on my phone going out not long after taking the photo below, forcing me to use my friend's camera when confronted with the vistas that followed.

Bright Angel Point

The views from the point are panoramic and stunning.

Bright Angel Point Trail

Just beyond the lodge a quarter mile trail straddles a narrow ridge that terminates at Bright Angel Point. It's paved and bordered with rocks but still a touch hairy for such a heavily traveled trail. Looking back there's a nice view of the lodge perched on its cliff.

Grand Canyon Lodge, part 2

A few more glimpses of this beautiful lodge.

Grand Canyon Lodge

The real "wow factor" of this lodge occurs when you see the backside and its veranda overlooking the Grand Canyon. This classic 1927 structure was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, an architect who designed many noteworthy National Park Lodges (including Zion, Bryce and Yosemite's Ahwahnee) as well as Timberline Lodge in Oregon. Note the massive outdoor fireplace. The interior was closed, but I was able to take a good photo of the lobby, with its famous picture windows, through the window.