Labor Day weekend fun!

We finally decided we'd go camping over in the Kaibab. We wanted to go somewhere cooler! We got an early start on Friday morning.  Since we had time, we decided to stop and visit the Pipe Springs National Monument on the way there.  We spent quite a good time there seeing the film, doing the visitor center things and then walking around the fort and grounds.  We even did a half mile loop trial.  It was amazing to see how people could make a life in such a desert location because of the little spring that's still flowing today.  There was controversy between the original inhabitants (native Americans), the pioneers and then the US Government. In the end, the government settled it.  The Kaibab tribe is still a part of the management and lives in the area today.  It was and interesting and enjoyable activity to start our week end.  

We arrived at the Kaibab/Jacob Lake Inn about 3:00 and had a great snack that included some of their cookies.  Then we found a campsite pretty nearby and got things set up and took a nap.  Then we drove over to Lee's Ferry/Lonely Dell Ranch to see if any of the fruit was ripe.  Neither apples nor pears were ripe unfortunately, but it was a pretty drive.  When we got back we had a great dinner at Jacob Lake.  After that we drove as far as they allowed toward the Grand Canyon.  Many roads are blocked off.  We only got as far as the Country Store/Camp ground.  Then it was time to head back to get to bed.  In the morning we took our walk and enjoyed the cool, cloudy weather.  It was so beautiful.  Then we went to breakfast at Jacob Lake.  It was pretty slow, but also pretty good.  They were actually very crowded with lots of firefighters and other people (some bow hunters) staying there.  Then we went back to camp to take pills/brush teeth and get ready for the day.  We decided to drive to the view points since you couldn't see the canyon other than that.  It was a beautiful forest drive.  We saw some wildlife along the way - deer, birds, lots of chipmunks playing chicken in the road, wild turkeys, and 7 Kaibab squirrels that were nearly impossible to photograph!  We were excited to see that many...more than any other times we've been there.  It had been raining over there and was still cloudy, so it was cool.  There had been another fire going at the time of the one that burned the lodge, etc. You could see it's devastating effects as you were coming up the hill onto the plateau with miles of trees burned along the road and then on  over the hill and down the road toward the Vermillion Cliffs.  It was so sad to see so much destruction of beautiful forest.  But, we were glad about there still being a lot left, thank goodness.  It was a wonderful, cool, relaxing campout!  

We finished up the fun with a Lava Point picnic and beautiful Kolob Terrace Road drive with Bean on Monday afternoon.  The weather was fine with beautiful clouds.  Our picnic was tasty and we enjoyed the drive through the woods.