The shuttle driver called out "Stop 6, The Grotto Trail,  Angel's Landing, and Kayenta Trail, exit here."  Most peole shuffled off the bus and hitched their packs onto their backs.  The crowd made their way across the road to the trail head as a heard.  The excitement buzzed around us as friends talked about climbing to Angel's Landing.  The shade of the small canyon welcomed us as we began the assent.  Soon voices quieted as the signs posted that this was a nesting spot for local wildlife.  Quietly people climbed quickly at first and then as their breathing became heavier, their steps slowed. As the trail twisted and hugged the canyon wall some hikers started to keep more against the wall as the higher they went.  We continued on with the rest of the masses, stopping for photo opportunities and to gawk at the views. We came to Walter's Wiggles and the trail started the switchbacks. The crowd started to thin as hikers slowed and took breaks.  Once we reached the end of the switchbacks we pooped out to Scout's Lookout and I felt like I had arrived at a party.  There were people everywhere sitting, talking, laughing and waiting.  And waiting and waiting.  Most had climbed to this spot and decided to wait for the rest of their party who were attempting the little 1 mile roundtrip to the top of Angel's Landing.  Most had been waiting for over 2 hours.  It wasn't that it actually took 2 hours to go 1/2 mile up and 1/2 mile back but it was waiting for turns to climb portions of the trail.  I wasn't about to wait in line with over 100 people for that.  We headed off to the West Rim Trail.  Just over the small rise, the din of voices ceased and we became the only ones around.  Wildflowers were in bloom and chipmunks scurried through the brush.  Condors soared overhead and the trail continued on along the tops of sheer cliffs sometimes marked by signs from one smooth slope to another, sometimes between sage brush.  It was quiet.  It was awe inspiring and it was empty of other souls.  We choose a spot for lunch and stretched out not quite believing that other's were so focused on one part of the trail that they neglected this beauty hiding in plain sight.  Soon after lunch we turned around in order to meet back up with my mother for ice cream at the lodge.  























 

 The Phoenix area can’t be explored without a stop at the Heard Museum and the Musical Instrument Museum. They each have their unique displays and are so worth the visit.  The Heard Museum introduced us to the history of the Native American People’s of the area.  Not only where there artifacts but there were works of art from contemporary artists.  It also highlighted a dark period of American history in which the United States Government tried to assimilate and erase the Native American Culture by forcefully requiring children to attend government boarding schools where many abuses and deaths occurred.  Fortunately that practice has been abolished and many people who did survive that period worked tirelessly and championed the cause to  produce a change in the system.  I think it was extremely well done in that it didn’t just highlight Native American’s past but continued it through dark and sad times all the way through today.  It showcases how their art has continued to evolve to showcase their culture and how they incorporate traditional motifs into contemporary and modern art forms such as woven tapestries, masks, and sculptures.  

 

Observations:  Having a knitting background I could appreciate the detail and the craftmanship in the tapestries.  The ability to create a overall pattern and then proceed to weave it is a skill that is all but lost.  Thankful for those who have the talent, creativity, vision and skill to be able to to complete them.  








The Musical Instrument Museum also known as MIM showcased musical instruments across the world.  Highlighting each continent and also different people groups.  We were able to see and listen to a variety of instruments along with their traditional dress.  They had video along with samples of music displayed alongside of the instruments.  There is definitely a progression of complexity of instruments and melody as the cultures increased in complexity.  One thing remained constant throughout each continent and people group, there was a need for music.  Each group made music from items available to them and each type of music has a tempo or a beat.  I am sure there is a history and musical lesson here but I am just not knowledgeable to figure it out.  Once we started on the American wing it was more of a chronological history of music in the last 200 years.  We ran out of gas ourselves before we were really able to take the full museum in.  Two days may be needed for this museum. 

 Driving through a resort and then up through a middle class neighborhood we questioned the map directions.  Is this really the right place to go hiking?  My college friend, Jeff suggested South Mountain Park and the National Trail just south of Phoenix.  This park is the largest municipal park in the United States complete with more than 58 miles of trails for hiking, running, biking and horse back riding. As with most hikes, we met early to beat the heat and at 7 am we were still not the first into the parking area. Soon after lacing up our boots, Jeff met us at the trail head and laid out our course, the National Trail.  We started off the trail near  abandoned CCC buildings from the 1930s.  This trail in its entirety is 14 miles one way but we opted for a 7 mileloop instead that included part of the Mormon Trail, with a detour through Fat Man’s Pass and Narrow Valley.  As we hiked, Jeff steered us to the little gems.  At Fat Man’s Pass, we had to pull off our packs to squeeze through.  Apparently a while a go, someone was crawling around and slipped down into the crevice of Fat Man’s Pass and was lodged in so tight that they needed to be rescued.  It was a tight squeeze for sure and there is only one way you can face to pass through, otherwise the body is contoured into a shape it isn’t meant to be in.  Further down the trail, we did a little bouldering through a group of rocks where we met a very friendly chipmunk who allowed me to photograph and pet it as it climbed onto my knee for a treat of pieces of granola bars. At Narrow Valley we stopped for nice cool break in the shade of the valley and came across a Chuckwalla lizard.  Characterized by it’s black head and orange tail, it started to bob it’s head  up and down almost as if he was doing pushups.  Apparently the orange tail variety are only found in the south mountains of Phoenix.  Otherwise they have grey to cream colored tails.  There were a couple of others in the area but weren’t colored so brightly and were probably females.  I soon became totally lost and was so grateful for our local and informative tour guide, Jeff.  I met Jeff while studying at Moscow, Idaho and we’ve kept in touch on and off over the years.  About four years ago he helped me purchase my car by dropping off the money and picking up the title and keys, storing for a week before I could fly down and pick it up. Then we had diner with him as he made his way from Alaska back to his home in the Phoenix area.  He asked about the wildlife we’ve seen and apart from the wild burros, chipmunks and the plethora of birds I had yet to see javalinas, rattlesnake or scorpions.  All three on my list to photograph, from a very safe distance of course.   By 10 we had completely the loop just as it started to warm up. A wonderful morning that couldn’t have been done without a local.