Day 3- Sightseeing

5/3/11  A day to recover and just act like tourists. We walk the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Yucapai Point to the El Tover hotel and then drive out to the Watchtower at Desert View.
DSC00439 Looking out from Mather Point on the east end of Grand Canyon Village. We're definitely feeling the effects of our adventures the day before, but overall we're...
Looking out from Mather Point on the east end of Grand Canyon Village. We're definitely feeling the effects of our adventures the day before, but overall we're…
DSC00442 The view from Mather Point looking towards Yaki Point and Cedar Ridge. You can see the South Kaibab trail leaving the plateau and following the ridge.
The view from Mather Point looking towards Yaki Point and Cedar Ridge. You can see the South Kaibab trail leaving the plateau and following the ridge.
DSC00448 A panoramic view from Mather Point. View Full Size
A panoramic view from Mather Point. View Full Size
DSC00452 After Mather Point, we head west along the Rim Trail stopping occasionally to take pictures from the rim.
After Mather Point, we head west along the Rim Trail stopping occasionally to take pictures from the rim.
DSC00453 The view from further west. You can see the Plateau Point trail heading across the Tonto Platform and then Bright Angel at the bottom of the Inner Gorge heading...
The view from further west. You can see the Plateau Point trail heading across the Tonto Platform and then Bright Angel at the bottom of the Inner Gorge heading…
DSC00461 Dad checking out the view from Yavapai Point.
Dad checking out the view from Yavapai Point.
DSC00462 A very photogenic squirrel.
A very photogenic squirrel.
DSC00463 Some tourists checking out the canyon view from the Observation Station at Yavapai Point.
Some tourists checking out the canyon view from the Observation Station at Yavapai Point.
DSC00469 Dad admiring his handy work at conquering the Bright Angel trail the day before. You can see the trail almost the entire way up from just above Indian Garden to...
Dad admiring his handy work at conquering the Bright Angel trail the day before. You can see the trail almost the entire way up from just above Indian Garden to…
158-aa bng We had someone take a picture of us at Yavapai Point.
We had someone take a picture of us at Yavapai Point.
DSC00476 Continuing west along the Rim Trail, you get a great view of the Tonto Platform and Indian Garden.
Continuing west along the Rim Trail, you get a great view of the Tonto Platform and Indian Garden.
DSC00477 A look straight down Bright Angel Canyon as the late afternoon sun is getting low. We ended-up walking all the way to the El Tovar hotel where we had an...
A look straight down Bright Angel Canyon as the late afternoon sun is getting low. We ended-up walking all the way to the El Tovar hotel where we had an…
DSC00482 After lunch, we head back east along the Rim Trail to Mather Point. Here's a nice view of the rock formation known as The Battleship.
After lunch, we head back east along the Rim Trail to Mather Point. Here's a nice view of the rock formation known as The Battleship.
DSC00487 It's now almost 5:30pm and the low sun makes for some amazing views. Each layer fades further into the light haze, starting with The Battleship in the...
It's now almost 5:30pm and the low sun makes for some amazing views. Each layer fades further into the light haze, starting with The Battleship in the…
DSC00493 One last view from the rim before leaving Grand Canyon Village.
One last view from the rim before leaving Grand Canyon Village.
DSC00497 After leaving the village, we make the 25 mile drive out to Desert View at the eastern entrance of the National Park to check out the Watchtower.
After leaving the village, we make the 25 mile drive out to Desert View at the eastern entrance of the National Park to check out the Watchtower.
DSC00516 A closer look at the Watchtower. The stairs to the top closed for the night just minutes before we got there. But it was well worth the drive since arriving at...
A closer look at the Watchtower. The stairs to the top closed for the night just minutes before we got there. But it was well worth the drive since arriving at…
DSC00507 Sunset at Desert View. Of all the awe inspiring views this trip, this may have been the best.
Sunset at Desert View. Of all the awe inspiring views this trip, this may have been the best.
DSC00503 A look at the cliffs called the Palisades, the light across the plateau, and the almost man made looking mountain on top.
A look at the cliffs called the Palisades, the light across the plateau, and the almost man made looking mountain on top.
DSC00505 A panoramic look at the Colorado River and the Palisades of the Desert. View Full Size
A panoramic look at the Colorado River and the Palisades of the Desert. View Full Size