Monday, May 15, 2017

Magical Masterpiece - Desert View Watchtower

Today I (finally) have more photos to share from my recent trip to Arizona/Utah...I don't want to be that annoying person that shares a million photos from a trip that no one has much interest in; therefore, it has taken me some time to decide how much I want to share and the context. I took in an unbelievable amount of artistic beauty...and this location definitely deserves an entire post of it's own - the Desert View Watchtower, located on the South Rim near the eastern edge of Grand Canyon. These are, in my opinion, extremely inspiring images...and while I tried to capture the incredible details and artistry with my camera lens, these photos don't even begin to give this stunning stone tower justice.

First a little about the architect, artists, and history of this grand landmark...

The Desert View Watchtower was designed by Mary Colter (if you don't know who she is, Google her!), a prolific American interior designer and architect...and if you've been to the Grand Canyon, chances are, you have seen her breathtaking designs (Hopi House, Hermit's Rest, the Bright Angel Lodge complex, Phantom Ranch buildings, and Lookout Studio, to name a few...and yes, she decorated the famous El Tovar Hotel). To me, her style was admirable - blending her buildings into their surroundings mixing multiple styles, elements, and materials...she beautifully combined Native American art, Spanish Colonial Style, Mission Revival Style, and Southwestern elements. The more I research her history and her work, the more I am inspired...she has given me a new found love of Native American craftsmanship and motifs.


The historic Watchtower is a four-story, 70-foot stone building completed in 1932. The carefully arranged texture mixture of stones, rock, mortar, and concrete somewhat resembles an over-sized Ancestral Puebloan tower...and it overlooks the south rim of the Grand Canyon with spectacular views of the Colorado River and the Painted Desert. The tower interior is decorated with bold and beautiful murals painted by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie and detailed petroglyph-style motifs by Fred Greer. I could go on and on (and on and on) about this marvelous structure and the picture perfect details inside and out (like the vast array of irregular window sizes - bringing in the optimum amount of light and providing amazing views...and the fireplace that left me speechless) but there is plenty of written information, if you wish to study it further. For now, I will share a selection of my favorite photos...and just maybe, you will find them as magical as I do...





















Just a note...
Long time readers of my blog may remember a post I did back on August 31, 2014 when my husband I visited the Grand Canyon and the Desert View Watchtower...back then, the tower housed a large retail shop and it was like a tourist market inside (very crowded and uncomfortable and you couldn't see any of the brilliant wall murals). In 2015, the National Park Service took over the tower and has worked hard to restore the structure to Mary Colter's vision, removing the commercial marketplace. On this visit, we arrived shortly after 8:00 AM when the entrance opens and before the crowds arrived, giving me the prime opportunity take photos and admire the magnificence.

Finally, for those who have 10 minutes and would like to learn more about Mary Colter and the Desert View Watchtower, here is an excellent video from the National Park Service...
If you can't see the video here, visit this link: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=6AF7C29B-155D-451F-67ED6E0546596E5B

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 15 - Recipients


Congratulations to Barbara and Gloria - they were randomly drawn as the recipients for my Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 15 giveaway...they have both been contacted and the magazines have been shipped! Thank you to all who commented and shared their current creative projects/endeavors - I enjoyed reading each and every comment...
  • barbara woods:just finished a t-shirt quilt and planning to spend a couple of days making casserole carriers
  • Anonymous - Gloria McKenna:I do needlework and quilting = working on older WIPS at the moment. Your blog provides inspiration and 'words of wisdom' to help me through my 'slumps. Thanks!
Make sure to look for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 15, on newsstands now (Release Date: May 1, 2017) - it's the issue with the red band across the top of the cover...and I hope you'll stop back for another visit soon!

Thursday, May 4, 2017

A Grand Adventure

Sometimes a journey is more than you ever expected...it tests your strength, your heart, your stamina, your will, and your determination...and it reminds you just how incredible life can be - for me, hiking the Grand Canyon in one day was all of this and so much more. Our adventure started at the South Kaibab Trailhead at 6:27 AM...and down we went...all the way to the base of the canyon...a steep decline and rough trails...beautiful vegetation and blooms...incredible breathtaking views. We crossed the Black Bridge and the Silver Bridge and walked along the Colorado River at the base, following the River Trail. Our packed lunch was devoured at the Pipe Creek Beach...where I walked down to the river, putting both my hands and feet into the water. Shortly after 1:00 PM, we started up the Bright Angel Trail to the rim...the incline was steep and steady...and we finally reached the rim right around 8:00 PM. My Apple watch read 21.42 miles for the day (that might not seem like much to some, but when you figure the very sharp decline and incline of the trails, it was a true feat!...oh, and did I mention the brutal winds - yes, it was EXTREMELY windy). There is a reason they recommend you stay at the bottom of the canyon at least one, if not, two nights in-between the hike down and the hike up - doing it all in one day is challenging, to say the least...and we trained hard for over a year. It was the most physically challenging, yet the most rewarding thing I have ever done...and it changed me - mentally and spiritually. In fact, I really don't have the right words to describe my experience...but it definitely made me stronger and more confident. The following day, looking out over the canyon, it was hard to believe that we had hiked lower than the eye can see, along the river, and then back up to the top - and I truly felt accomplished. I can't thank Dan enough for asking me to join him on this magnificent journey (his 6th time to hike the canyon in one day)...I could not have asked for better company - to say I am blessed, is an understatement - we will be forever bonded by this experience...and the Grand Canyon will always have a little piece of my heart.

Here are just a few of the almost 600 photos I snapped throughout the day...as you can see the canyon is in full bloom and truly a sight to behold...

South Kaibab Trailhead



Dan heading down the trail...

Dan shot this photo of me in action -  making my way down
 the rough terrain...



This image captures what most of the trail heading down looked
like...steep and rough...



Dan on the trail...







Mules at Tonto East (bathroom stop)


The Colorado River coming into sight...

The Black Bridge


Short tunnel - Black Bridge Entrance

Colorado River along the River Trail


It's all about the squirrel...


The Silver Bridge


Dan and I at the base of the canyon, along the Colorado River...
River Trail

Pipe Creek Beach

Bright Angel Trail - 3 miles from the top...

Love this sign...Caution! DOWN is optional, UP is mandatory...
HAZARD: Hiking to the river and back in a day can be hazardous
to your health and is NOT recommended.


Sun starting to set on the canyon...

Short tunnel - ¾ of a mile from the rim....
Bright Angel Trail


That is the short version of our one day Grand Canyon hike...a spectacular, life changing journey. I hope you enjoyed seeing it through the lens of my camera. This adventure provided me with more design inspiration than I could have ever imagined!

The rest of the week was filled with special excursions, exploring Monument Valley and Sedona. I will be back in the next couple days to share more fun photos that capture the beauty of the area!