We finally have made it

After over 1,600 miles of driving, we have arrived at the Mather campground at the Grand Canyon Village South Rim.
The day started with breakfast, with the deer and a very much needed shower.
We then headed to the spruce tree house, which is part of the cave dwellings in Mesa Verde. Very interesting to see how the cliff dwellers habitated around 580ad to 1300ad. They also had pictures of what the ruins looked like when they were discovered back in the 1800's.
The best part of that trip was that we were able to leave the trailers at the campsite. No worries with up and down driving on the roads. Yippie!!
We got back to camp around 12:30pm and quickly hooked up the trailer and headed to the Walmart in Cortez for a refresh of groceries and supplies. The ride down the mountain with the trailer in tow was a stressful but successful one.
We headed on the daily car ride around 2:30pm with hopes that the Mapquest projected 5 hour drive would be true. Well, it wasn't! It turned out to be 7 hours long. Not a big deal on the surface, but we barely arrived in time to see the big hole in the ground before sunset.
Before our arrival to the Grand National Park, we made a pit stop at the four corners monument. The outdoor temperature reading on the van was 100 degrees. For those that keep saying that the heat in Arizona is a "dry heat", your nuts!! Hot is Hot!!! The four corners monument turned out to be more fun than I thought. Everyone stands around the spot in a big circle waiting for their turn to take their pictures. It kind of reminded me of a school dance or a wedding reception when everyone stands in a big circle during a song and everyone waits there turn to show off their moves in the middle. Also at this site were craft tables set up around the monument selling Native American jewelry. Erika, Katie and SH purchased some nice trinkets. A quick wipe of the brow and we back on our way.
After our arrival to the National Park entrance, which was closed, we made a quick stop at the nearest overlook for our first view of the Grand Canyon. In the immortal words of Frank Barone, HOLY CRAP!!!, what a site!! Indescribable! We quickly got back in the vehicles in hopes to make it to the campsite before dark. Only to find out we had another 25 mile drive thru the park to search for the campsite. We arrived at the Grand Canyon village visitor center. It was pitch black. No lights in the parking lot or near the village area, which looked to be quite nice in the dark. Thank goodness for the iPhone flashlight app. It lead us around to try and find a way to see exactly where the campground was located. The village is very large and consists of several camping areas. There are 267 sites in our area, so finding this area posed to be our biggest challenge of the night. After totally blind luck, we happened upon the check in area for our sites. It was closed, but on the window was an alphabetical list of the site assignments. Also there was a park ranger, changing out the trash cans. He said that we could check in sometime the next morning. We arrived to our sites at 9:30pm and quickly set up the camper. We are veterans now so it ran like clockwork. Seriously, it went very smooth, with everyone knowing what they had to do to get everything set up as quickly as possible.
The sites are pull thru sites, meaning you just veer of the trail into your site. With the orientation of our site, the door to the trailer faces the trail and not facing the campsite. Not ideal, but in the dark and on a one way path, not too much you can do. This did not sit well with Mr. Harmon. He was determined to get the door facing into the campsite. To be honest, I was rooting for him. After 3 laps around our loop, he gave in and pull into their site. I have $10 riding on him making another effort in the morning. F.Y.I Mike, the men reading this are rooting for your success. I on the other hand am not the veteran camper and will be exiting the camper to the trail side of the site for the rest of the week.
After both vehicles were parked, the Harmon's quickly set up the camp stove for some hot dogs, brats and corn. Yum!!
After the meal everyone was pretty much beat from the day, so it was off to bed.
These site does not offer electric hookup, so for those that offered advice for helping me with my CPAP machine, I was able to find an invertor that I hooked directly to the marine battery on the camper. It worked like clock work. Now hopefully the battery will last the week.
Tomorrow will be a day if exploration and lots of picture taking.

Goodnight to everyone!!

Kurt

p.s. Susan wanted me to mention that the luggable loo was well worth the $15 dollar purchase.