Nov 30

Good Lodging, Good Eats, and Good Fishing is Not Far from the North Rim

Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Hotels & Lodging No Comments »

“They call it Cliff Dwellers because the people here settled at the base of Vermillion Cliffs” said Terry in reply to a burly looking tourist. After answering the puzzled man’s question Terry turned to me and said “its a common mistake that people make, they come here (Cliff Dwellers) expecting to see indian ruins; I once had a lady get very angry because she travelled a very long distace to get here and there were no Indian Ruins”.

Although there are no Indian Ruins in Cliff Dwellers there are definitely some reasons to visit. First, its just a short jaunt to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon when compared to Page and Kanab (traditional North Rim gateways), and second, the best place to stay and eat in Northern Arizona is located there, Cliff Dwellers Lodge and the Cliff Restaurant. The whole property including the lodge and restaurant are owned and operated by Terry and Wendy Gunn. Terry is a very outgoing, fun guy who really loves people and does everything he can to make sure you’re taken care of. Wendy is the strong type who doesn’t mess around and gets the job done, she also is especially concerned about how you’re treated as a guest at their establishment. “If you’re coming here expecting the Ritz Carlton, you’ll probably be disappointed,” said Wendy, “but if you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay with clean rooms, outstanding service and freindly people, then this is the place for you.”

Besides owning and operating one of the most unique lodging establishments in Northern Arizona, Terry and Wendy are also world class flyfishing instructors and offer a flyfishing guide service at perhaps the most unique trout fishery in the world, the Colorado River at the bottom of Glen Canyon. Both Terry and Wendy are true professionals in the art of flycasting. Having written numerous articles and other publications in flyfishing magazines and hosting their own instructional Flycasting videos you’re guaranteed to learn something from them or their guides by taking a trip, even if you are a seasoned flyfisherman.

My experience with Terry and Wendy and their establishment was one I won’t soon forget. As a flyfisherman myself I took advantage of the opportunity to learn from them and one of their employees that helps oversee their fly shop, Natalie. Natalie’s knowledge didn’t stop at flyfishing itself but extended into the subtle nuances of the Colorado River and my quarry, the elusive Rainbow Trout. She spent probably an hour at the shop that day talking to me and my friend and setting up a reel for him, (did I mention it was acutally her day off?). That’s the kind of service I’m talking about, people just taking care of people.

Breakfast at the “Cliff Restaurant” was truly an experience. When entering don’t be taken aback by the small size and the typical cafe appearance, the magic is in the kitchen. I enjoyed the best biscuits and gravy that I’ve ever before tasted, no joke. I can’t imagine that any of the other dishes are any less tasty and filling. They offer breakfast, lunch (seasonally), and dinner.

Wendy also gave me a personal tour of the property. Whether you’re a two person group or a two family group they have what you need. The rooms are very nice and well kept, rates are reasonable and the local scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Whether you’re looking to fish, eat, stay, or just make a pit stop for gas and snacks you can’t go wrong with a stop at Cliff Dwellers Lodge in Cliff Dwellers, Arizona.

-Ron

Nov 07

Mercury Passing, a Missing Person, & Muskovites Playing

Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Hotels & Lodging, Grand Canyon Vacation No Comments »

……..and a partridge in a pear tree!  Oops, getting ahead of myself here.  But seriously, folks, “diversity” describes the offerings of events in the Grand Canyon area this week!

Good afternoon everyone.  First of all, a big thanks to all of you who’ve expressed your enjoyment of my semi-official  “weekly update” of events around Northern Arizona.  Attendance at one (or all!) of these could greatly enrich your Grand Canyon vacation in ways you never expected; for those of us who live in the area, it gives us a good excuse to hop in the car and get out of town for a weekend and learn to appreciate this wonderful place called Arizona (and Utah, too)! 

Tomorrow, Mother Nature herself will be the star of the show as the planet Mercury makes a rare Lowell Observatory Flagstaff Arizona transit across the sun.  The passage of the small planet will be visible in the afternoon and/or evening throughout most of North America, but, as with an eclipse, one should not look directly at the sun to try and see it.  Instead, why not head up to the cool pines of Flagstaff and pop into the Lowell Observatory, where you can view this phenomenon in safety through specially filtered telescopes.  Scopes will be available from 12.15 to 5.00 PM. 

The stars will be coming out all weekend long in Flagstaff as the Smithsonian Culturefest continues with the NightVisions Exhibition Friday November 10th at the Coconino Center for the Arts.  As the name suggests, this exhibit will highlight the extraordinary beauty of Arizona’s night skies with the works of artists such as Baje Whitethorne, Sr., Shonto Begay and S.D. Nelson.  There’ll be an artist’s reception from 6 to 8 pm on 11/10, and the exhibit itself will be open from 11.00 to 5.00 both Friday and Saturday.  (That program is free, too, how cool is that?)

Other Culturefest programs, such as Hopi storytelling, a piano recital and other night sky viewings will take place at other locations throughout Flagstaff like the Lowell Observatory, the Museum Museum of Northern Arizona Flagstaff of Northern Arizona, and the U.S. Naval Observatory.  Moms and Dads, pack up the wee ones and join Christine Pulliam for “The Rabbit in the Moon” at the Museum of Northern Arizona on Saturday.  You’ll learn how different cultures view the moon, and kids will be able to create their own images of it.

Speaking of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Friday November 10th will kick off a five-week exhibit of the writings and artworks of a character who intrigues us to this day.  Everett Reuss was a young man who fell in love – with the Southwest.  As soon as he was able, he bolted from his native Hollyweird, California to take up residence among the wide open spaces and profound beauty of this area.  He spent a lot of time in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.  In 1934, at the tender age of 20, Reuss disappeared in Davis Gulch near Escalante, Utah.  He was a gifted writer and artist who would sell beautiful woodblock prints (very similar to Japanese ukiyo-e) to finance his wanderings.  Though his fate remains uncertain, many of his artworks, poems and essays remained.  26 of the prints will be on display at MNA through December 17th. 

Flagstaff is a great place to stay on your Grand Canyon vacation – a mere 90 minutes from the park, it’s an eclectic mix of old and new, not to mention full of other things to see and do. 

Last but not least, this Saturday night (11/11) it’s “Moscow on the Verde,” Moscow Nights as the “Moscow Nights” Russian folk trio comes to Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona, which is just a hop skip and a jump from beautiful Sedona.  You’ll finally get to learn what they call that big triangular thingy (while you’re dancing your  tookus off!).  Tickets are $18/person and this event is brought to you by the Verde Valley Concert Association. 

Want to come on up?  Great!  Remember, we can help you find hotels in Flagstaff, Sedona…just about anywhere.  Just visit http://www.grandcanyon.com/hotels.html and search by city, or call (800) 916-8530. 

And remember, I’ve just touched the tip of the iceberg here.  For more information on other things going on in the area, visit www.azreporter.com or try www.flagstaffevents.com or www.gatewaytosedona.com

Have fun and Happy Travels ~

Alley Kaye :)

May 16

The Highway to the North Rim has Opened!

Driving Tips, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Hotels & Lodging 1 Comment »

Highway 67 to the North Rim opened yesterday. Once again, you will have access to the viewpoints on the North Rim until October 15th. The Concessionaire – Xanterra – has the lodging, camper services, food services, grocery store, and gas stations all open for service.

My favorite viewpoint on the North Rim is the Bright Angel point just down from the North Rim Lodge. I like to arrive about 4PM enjoy walking down to Bright Angel point and all the view points around the North Rim Lodge. Finally, one could do much worse than enjoying a nice sunset dinner at the North Rim Lodge. This is my favorite activity on the North Rim. I highly recommend you call ahead and reserve your time for dining at the North Rim Lodge restaurant at 928-638-2611 ext. 160 between 10:00AM – 11:30AM and 2:30PM – 4:00PM daily. I usually call 2 months in advance after checking the Sunset tables for the date I want to dine at the North Rim Lodge of the Grand Canyon.
Two other special viewpoints on the North Rim are Point Imperial and Cape Royal. Point Imperial gives you a great view of the Saddle where Grand Canyon begins after Marble Canyon and of the Echo and Vermillion Cliffs area. You can also see Navajo Mountain in the far distance on clear days.

Cape Royal gives you a great view of the South Rim looking toward the Desert View overlook and the San Francisco peaks by Flagstaff, Arizona.

So, tell me, what is your greatest memory or activity to do at the North Rim?

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