Tina The "tardis" Reporting From Grand Canyon Np

Just returned from the South Rim Grand Canyon. Spent 5 nights in Mather campground which is a large mixed campground for RV's, trailers and tents. Limited bathrooms and water access, but the area is high arid plateaus at 7000 ft. Lots of space between campsites. Used the Zamp solar panel (40 watt) to keep battery fully charged after 4th night (probably really didn't need to) because we only use the lights when necessary and have no other appliances.
Wonderful national park especially if you don't mind deer and elk wandering thru your camp (not to mention the great coyotes for their nightly soirees). The deer and elk were in full rut and it's advisable to keep your distance but luckily the bull elk advertised their presence with full throated calls. The full moon flooded the night with it brilliance and no flashlights were need for mid-nite visits to the facilities. The park has a good shuttle service throughout but it is a bit confusing with connections and directions. Never the less we managed nicely (Julie has never met a map or schedule chart she can't master. Lucky for me. I can get lost coming out of the bathroom).
We had a very windy drive (30-35 mph wind) to Barstow on day one and the first day at south rim was gusty but everything calmed down after that. There is no way to describe this "place". It defies words and pictures don't do it justice. We hiked our legs off just on the rim trails from the visitor center on east side to Hermit's Rest at the far west. Every point offered fantastic views clear across (up to 10 miles wide) and all the way down (4-5000 ft) exposing layer after layer back in time (3- 4 billion years in some areas).
This was our first trip to this NP and it exceeded all expectations. Keep in mind the ravens are the kings of the animals here. They are big, loud and extremely intelligent and patrol the area constantly. Park officials inform you up front that any problems you encounter in camp are related to these birds. They will puncture water jugs and fly off with anything smaller than a 6-pack cooler. (Might want to keep any pets under 15 lbs on a tether staked to the ground- joke.)
Did some hawk watching near Yaki Point where officials are doing migration counts. It's amazing to be able to look "down" upon birds in flight. In our campsite we were always visited by pygmy nut-hatches and mountain chickadees (and of course the ravens). Sitting in camps one evening and sipping a refreshing beverage, a tiny chickadee decide to roost on the tip of my shoe. Wanted a handout I'm sure but we don't
feed wild animals. It figured that out quickly and fled before the camera came out. All in all, we had a memorable visit even though the north rim had several fires burning. Item of information: we pulled Tina the tardis with our VW Westfalia and everything performed well. The van gives us the added benefit of dining inside if the weathers present itself as wet, cold and/or windy. Home safe and sound and awaiting the next adventure. See you around