These photos were taken during a trip we took in 2007. The Grand Canyon was actually the last stop as we were flying home a couple of days later. We had flown to Las Vegas originally, and rented a car. This building is called The Watchtower at Desert View. It was opened in 1933. Below is the inside of the gift shop. I read that the gift shop was removed in January of 2015. You can see a great photo of the empty space on this website if you scroll down, click here. I have repeated the link above the photo of Hopi artist Fred Kaboti further below.Hired in 1930, Mary Coulter drew the design and handpicked every stone for size and appearance. You can read more about its history here. This is outside of the gift shop.I found this interesting story online about the Hopi's first journey through the Grand Canyon. You can read it here.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
A GRAND CANYON TRIP FROM 2007
Several fine artists were commissioned to paint murals inside the walls of the Tower, which is 67 feet high and 30 feet in diameter at the base. I didn't actually go inside the tower that day. I seem to remember it was closed. You can see the history of the watchtower at this link.
The above shows Hopi artist Fred Kaboti, whose contribution was the Snake Legend. If you are interested I found a website here telling the story of this legend. It is lengthy but a good read.
The Raven landed behind the bench I was sitting on. He stayed long enough for these photos.
My photos don't do these magnificent views justice.
On the left side of the photo, you can see the flat topped Cedar Mountain, which is just outside of the Grand Canyon.
Thanks for looking and have a great day!
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Wow. It looks amazing and I am sure looks even better in the flesh. I do love ravens.
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing sight and I love ravens too :)
DeleteThe views are just so breathtaking
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed. I hope I get to see them again one day :)
DeleteThanks for taking us along. What a fantastic experience it must be to see this in person.
ReplyDeleteIt is my pleasure Ann, always happy to share these places :)
Deletestunning views, ravens and a tower, what could be better? love that tower and the inside of the ceiling is gorgeous to me...
ReplyDeleteA true marvelous wonder Sandra :) so many places in the USA to explore.
DeleteGreat post on your visit to the Grand Canyon! Your photos bring back memories of my trips. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, I am happy you enjoyed my post and that it brought back good memories :) You take care and have a great day also.
DeleteI have visited the Grand Canyon twice. It certainly is awe-inspiring. My best memory of all is seeing a California Condor there.
ReplyDeleteThat would be an incredible memory David, I have never seen one. Hopefully I can one day :)
DeleteThat is an amazing place. How lovely to be so close to a raven, though I suppose they're accustomed to visitors.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly amazing to look at all that incredible scenery. The raven was definitely a highlight of the trip and they probably are. Thanks Janice :)
DeleteYou had a wonderful experience when you visited the tower. The information links are interesting and the views are amazing.
ReplyDeletePerfectly put Linda, it was a most amazing experience :) so glad you enjoyed.
DeleteThose photos are amazing! What's difference between ravens and crows?
ReplyDeleteThe raven is much larger than a crow Angie but a full description of their differences can be found at the following link.
Deletehttps://urbannature.blog/2023/10/28/telling-crows-and-ravens-apart/
Beautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you R’s Rue :)
DeleteThis whole area seems like half a story told.
ReplyDeleteGreat description Sandi, thank you :)
DeleteI haven't been there in eons but it is such a remarkable place. Lovely post, Denise.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have been there Jeanie. Thank you very much, I am always happy you enjoy my posts.
DeleteThat is still on our bucket list, maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteYou and Barb will love it Jim :)
DeleteI would love to see a real raven!! But I guess they are only out west. Hard to believe this was built when it was! It looks centuries old!! And the inside!! Wonder why they closed the gift shop, maybe not enough customers...Maybe people just didn't know it is there.
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny, I found out where ravens can be seen all over the place and here is a list for you.
DeleteNew York
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Parts of Maryland and Virginia
The Appalachian Mountains
Northern Minnesota,
Wisconsin
Michigan
Vermont
Maine
Klamath Network parks
Eastern Kentucky and the Cumberland Plateau.
Ravens are also found in the Arctic Circle.
I also found this to answer your question about the removal of the gift shop and what you suggested may very well be but this is what I read on their website.
“The Kiva Room, which for years was used as retail space, in 2015 was returned to the open area that Mary Colter had intended, since the room was originally designed to be a rest area. It was here that visitors to the canyon in the 1930’s could sit in comfort and have outstanding views of the canyon. The fireplace is unique in that it does not block the view for visitors. Gaze into one of the reflectoscopes and see a different perspective of the canyon.”
Thanks for the questions. They make me want to find out more :)
Interesting artifacts. The canyon is indeed magnificent.
ReplyDeleteVery much so, thank you Gigi :)
DeleteThank you for sharing the Grand Canyon today, my friend. Its beauty never ceases to bring me to tears.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it Martha Ellen. I well understand your emotions. To be there can have that effect on me. Thank you my friend :)
DeleteOne national park I have not visited. Beautiful photos and words Denise.
ReplyDeleteI have flown over it several times...it is the true meaning of the word AWESOME.
In 2017 we went with a local tour group catering to folks over 60. Flew into Denver, Co, then boarded very nice tour bus down to Moab UT visited so many wonderful National Parks there. Our hotel was on the Colorado River. Back into colorado to see lots of parks there.
Hugs Cecilia
The canyon must have been incredible to see from the air Cecilia. Your tour sounds like the trip of a lifetime. We stayed in Moab for one night on our road trip and visited the Arches National Park on two consecutive days. Another awesome wonder! I would have loved staying at a hotel on the Colorado River. Would love to go back there and have often talked about it. Thanks for sharing your memories and sending hugs :)
DeleteBeautiful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome and thank you for reading my post :) Always lovely to see you here.
DeleteHow wonderful to go back in time and visit places you've been!
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t have said it better Jenn, thank you :)
DeleteAn amazing place, I enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
That’s wonderful! Thank you so much Jan :)
DeleteEs un bello lugar, te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, me alegra que hayas disfrutado y aprecies tu visita. te mando un beso :)
DeleteIt really is hard to photograph the grandeur of the Grand Canyon but so nice to see it in person. Happy day to you!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is Ellen and agree with you totally :) Happy day to you also!
DeleteEvery time I see pictures of the Grand Canyon, I wonder what the first white men thought when they saw it. I just can't imagine finding it without hearing about it beforehand. I have no idea what I would feel/think,
ReplyDeleteIt would be incredible to put ourselves in their shoes wouldn’t it Rose? Emotionally overwhelming for them I’m sure :)
DeleteI recall that the tower was closed when I was there with my daughter many years ago. The canyon is so huge.
ReplyDeleteThat’s interesting Linda and it certainly is :) How super that you got to see the place with your daughter.
DeleteWonder why remove it. What a fun adventure.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ivy, it certainly was :) and it was indeed a great adventure.
Delete