The gummit shutdown didn't stop us!
We drove for 65 miles down Indian Road 18 and this was the only structure we saw. Don't forget to fill up the tank before turning off the main road!
It got really chilly that first night, as we stopped along the way on a rancher's land to brave the mid-20s temperatures.
Desert flora - hardy stuff.
After driving in the flat desert for hours, Indian Road 18 abruptly ends atop Hualapai Hilltop. Even though we had been here before 10 years prior, it's quite a drastic change in scenery as you peer down into Havasu Canyon, and took our breath away yet again.
The trail down to Havasu village is well-traveled, yet beautiful.
One of four major falls along Havasu Creek, Havasu falls is not the tallest, but it sure is pretty. There are so many waterfalls that many are not even named. If these same "minor" waterfalls were in another part of the country, every one would be considered substantial.
Looking down into Havasu Canyon, where we camped for a few days.
The trail to Mooney Falls was a little treacherous at times.
Mooney falls is taller than Niagara.
Walking through fields of desert wildflowers is really hard work.
Havasu Canyon (and Creek) comes in from the left. Beaver Canyon is on the right. At this junction, we entered into Grand Canyon National Park land despite the government shutdown.
We decided to dayhike the 16 miles round trip to the Colorado River and back. During the hike, you cross Havasu Creek over 25 times. It was a whole lot of fun.
Do you know the difference between a raven and a crow? When most people think they have seen a raven, they really have seen a crow. Raven sightings are much more rare. I was lucky.
We made it to the Colorado!
We had to stick our "feet" in its muddy waters.
A float group pulled up when we were at the mouth of Havasu Creek. We looked at them a little puzzled and said,
"How did you get down here?"
"What do you mean? By river, of course," was their reply.
"But the Park is shut down," we answered back.
"What are you talking about?"
Turns out they had been on the river for 21 days and had no clue the government had shut down....nor did they care. We were in the same "boat" in that regard.
Contrast the color of Havasu Creek with that of the Colorado. There was a distinct line of color contrast where to the two bodies of water met.
Sorry buddy, but I just had to get a picture of your butt since you were too shy to show your face.
Goodbye, Havasu. Maybe we'll see you again in another 10 years.
