Legend-ary Cross Country Trip - Day 13 Miracle Among the Ashes

Odometer Reading: 2553 -2775

Departed: Zion, Utah 9 a.m. MDT

Arrived: Jacob Lake, Arizona 10:15 MST

Overnight: Kaibab Camper Village

The Journey
We drove straight through from Zion National Park to Kaibab Camper Village campground near Jacob’s Lake, Arizona. We had a long day of driving and exploring after we parked the trailer. Even though we had arrived at our overnight stay early, the owner even offered us a nicer site for our stay. I experienced another Tom to ignore me and tried to override my directional knowledge in assisting Bruce with backing  in.  With no qualms about it, Bruce explained to the “helpful” man that he was listening to his wife for directions. I am not certain why every man that ignored me, spoke over me or tried to “assist” Bruce during the trip in parking the trailer was named Tom, but in our household “Tom” is the new “Karen”.  This Tom even moved the pvc pipe I laid on the ground for proper distancing from the electrical post.  I took the pipe from his hand and explained it is a visual guide for my husband to park.  Ugh!  After getting set up, we took Kenobi for a walk and began driving the 1 hour  to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Wildlife: Lizards, Bison , Hawks, Ravens

Trailer: no issues

Along our way, we witnessed a bison herd along with their 5 babies crossing the road.  Staying a safe distance, we were able to photograph and get some great video of the crossing. As we entered the park and drove along the road the wild fire devastation surrounded us with the barren areas and with few blackened trees up and down the canyons. After we drove into the park, we saw that the majority of the area was under construction and it was not deemed safe to explore.  We were able to go to the overlook near where the Visitor Center and Lodge once stood. The lodge and the visitor center were destroyed in the Drago Wildfire of the previous year on July 3rd, 2025. The area beyond the overlook was surrounded by chain linked fence housing the area of the visitor center, lodge and cabins.  Signs were posted to share the news that people could drive the Cape Royal Road leading to the overlooks for the park including Point Imperial and Cape Royal itself (elevation 7,865 feet,) the southernmost viewpoint on the North Rim. The majority of the trails were still closed for safety and clearing. The North Rim campground had been opened a few days prior to our arrival. We drove to it to see if they had a camp store so that I could  purchase a North Rim Grand Canyon ornament.

Though the selections at the store were limited as they were still unpacking merchandise boxes. I was able to secure an ornament. I was trying not to be “that person”, but as I was checking out I asked if they had a passport stamp.  Typically the stamps are located on a visible table at the visitor center or other NPS building. The cashier reached behind the counter and told me the passport stamper was the only thing that survived from the visitor center in the fire. They see it as a small miracle among the devastation of the fire. They do not have it out for public use, but if someone asks the cashier can stamp the customer's passport. Suddenly my simple ink stamp for a National Park took on another meaning.

We continued to explore from noon until 4:00 p.m. and  then headed back to the trailer.  Along the way, I questioned if we would see the bison herd again.  Bruce expressed it was highly unlikely.  Yet when we reached an open meadow, not the exact spot we saw them earlier in the day, there laid the herd in the meadow. 

Reflection: This was an emotionally challenging day for me as I had hoped to take some of my mom’s ashes with me to the Grand Canyon. When talking about this trip, she told me hundreds of times that she wanted to go to the Grand Canyon.  Well that didn’t happen, but I carried her in my mind the entire visit to the canyon. The north rim of the Grand Canyon was originally  Bruce’s pick.  His favorite national park is the Grand Canyon. The wildfires made the early planning of the section of the trip difficult since it did not reopen to the public until May 15th and we visited June 11th. We had contemplated boondocking near the ridge of the canyon, but thankfully thought better of it.  I would not have felt safe among the burned out trees.  Beyond seeing the bison, it was a melancholy day for me surrounded by the devastation of the fire and my mom’s passing.  Even surrounded by the muted color of life, I would remind myself of the life cycle and new growth that comes from death.