Grand Canyon Lodge at sundown
A few days ago, I started thinking about what I should write about the forest fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the destruction of the Grand Canyon Lodge and its environs. Yesterday I realized that I have been writing about the North Rim and surrounding areas since I began writing this blog in October 2012. I don’t think you need many more words from me about this beloved place right now. Below, I have gathered links to some of the earlier articles I have written about the rim. I am also including a handful of the hundreds of photos of I have taken of the North Rim.
- Cookies on the North Rim
- Ain’t No Reason to Go In a Wagon To Town
- North Rim
- Staircase to Heaven, Part 5: Words
- Salad Days, Salad Years: Reverie
Grand Canyon Lodge with Oza Butte in the distance
cliffroses North Rim June 7, 2014
Arizona sister (Adelpha eulalia) Harvey Meadow, North Rim
view of the canyon from near Bright Angel Point, May 2024
my first summer at North Rim*
our car July 17, 2025
The four classic elements: Fire, earth, air, water. North Rim has them all. Fire now, certainly. Earth is still there and will regenerate. Air: I can almost smell that fragrance of ponderosas in the sunlight at 8,000 feet. Water: I remember the old stone drinking fountain outside the lodge. It was the best water I ever tasted, and this from a water girl from Michigan. Showers at Roaring Springs, the music of Bright Angel Creek, the search for Cheyava Falls on a spring break way back when, and the Colorado River. Changes now, certainly, but the canyon world survives. Love and peace to my canyon friends.
* I am in the second row on the right wearing sunglasses.
Close to the Ground: Living Inductively 
So hard to watch the news of the fire. I know we were all at our best when we were at the North Rim. Perhaps now is the time, although the forest and buildings have burned, to keep up the spirit of good in this troubled world.
The picture of the staff was great, although I wasn’t there until 1972. I don’t see Karen or Bill? Can you? Is that Oblad in the white hat in the front row? Is that Alex from KY next to you? Wonderful memories, wonderful people.
Leah Bailey
Hi, Leah, what you say seems right to me–to keep up the spirit of good in this troubled world. I hope you and Tim are well.
I knew I had seen Karen in the photo, but I had to haul out the original to find her. She is in the second to the back row, a little right of center and she has her hair back. I didn’t find Bill. Haha, I am guessing a group photo might not have been his thing. Or, maybe he is in the photo and I just can’t find him. Tom was the night cook then, so he was probably sleeping. Yes that is Oblad in the white coat and he is sitting between Boyd and Howard. I am sitting next Alex from KY.
Love,
Lynda