We were a group of eleven, gathered to celebrate my son Jon's fortieth birthday. Jon's wife Marie made all of us embroidered bandanas that said Skywalker 2016, which we wore in many different ways as a group. For many of us, surrounded by people from all over the world, this was their first visit to Canyon. For Mary and I together, it was our fifth visit. We have flown our plane over it, landed at it, rafted it, been on both north and south rims and now skywalked it. I find the majesty of this place effects everyone, and of course selfie sticks were plentiful with backs to 2000 ft drops! But we all spent at least an hour out on the Skywalk and had great fun with a photographer, the results of which will start showing on Facebook soon. We also spent time at Guano point, looking at the old equipment and the views. Helicopters dropped below the rim here and headed upriver as this is below the National Park. It was a wonderful day, plenty of people but english seeming to be the minority language.
Back at Hualipi Ranch, a city slicker themed motel, the Reeves men paused for some cigars and scotch (scotch actually not allowed on the reservation) while others of our group took horseback rides out to the canyon rim behind us. We gave my son Jon a great birthday gathering, but a lifetime of memories for all of us.
A coyote walked by while we were out here on our rocks and I can't speak to whether he found us memorable. He mostly just left, headed toward the canyon the last I saw of him. The Ravens were impressive in size here, and I loved to watch there flying below the canyon rim using the updrafts along the walls, including soaring under you as you looked down through the glass of the Skywalk.
Tomorrow begins the long drive back to Salida and back to being Will by the River on the Arkansas instead of the Colorado. But tonight in the crepuscule of the evening is was peaceful relaxation.
Will by the River
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