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The Eastern Point of South Rim
After we finished our rather late lunch, we had a choice of heading West or East of the Village. West would have taken us to another one of the Mary Colter buildings.......Hermit's Rest.
The last time we were here, we saw sunset at Hermit's Rest and I remember the throng of people there. DH and I were seeking a different experience. Besides, to get to Hermits Rest these days, you need to take the Village bus. You can no longer drive out to this vantage point with a private car anymore.
So, we chose to head East. The Desert View Drive is a scenic route to the east of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim which follows the rim for 25 miles (40 km) out to the Desert View Watchtower and East Entrance. There is a bus from the Village that runs out this way. Along the way, six developed canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, and five unmarked pullouts are accessible with private vehicles, in addition to the Tusayan Ruin and Museum. We had driven this way into the Village but it had been pitch dark and we didn't see a single thing! So, it was quite nice to drive back along the road again....this time in the light.
Given the fact that DH and I were fast discovering a knack of turning 5 minute stops into a full hour; and that sunset was not going to wait for us, we drove straight to the eastern-most viewpoint on the south rim, Desert View Lookout Point. This lookout point is blessed with another one of those Mary Jane Colter designs.
The historic Desert View Watchtower is probably my favourite most Mary Colter building on the rim. It was the last of her buildings to be opened at the rim; in 1933. The tower was designed to resemble a Puebloan watchtower, with the closest prototype to be found at Hovenweep National Monument. I dont claim to be an architecture expert but I do like seeing buildings that have been designed to fit in with the surroundings and using building materials in keeping with the elements and materials that can be found and sourced within the area. In my opinion, all of Mary Colters buildings tick all my boxes.
The main circular space in the area is now a tourist shop; and you're allowed to climb up the structure.
On the first level, youll find the amazing artwork - bold murals by Fred Kabotie. Fred Kabotie was quite a celebrated Hopi artist and was commissioned by Mary Jane Colter to create the murals.
There are other, petroglyph-style decorations on this level. They were painted by Fred Greer.
As I climbed up, I noticed the light and shade from the windows. I quite liked the shadows and lights that the windows cast on this day.
All in all, there are 85 steps to the top level.
If you make it up here, it is reputed to be the highest point on the south rim (It is higher than the natural highpoint of the south rim of Navajo Point lookout, a couple of miles west of here). The view is amazing.
The second and third levels display work of Fred Geary, Fred Harvey Company artist.
The artwork and murals on all the levels are stunning!
On one of the lower levels, you can head out to an outdoor viewing area. I figured it would be better to head out here than to take pictures from the top through the glass.
From here, you get to see the Colorado River. Just ahead of the tower, the basalt and sandstone lava formation are known as Cardenas Butte, some 700 million years old.
I was just in time to catch a fading rainbow.
We did walk around the tower towards the edge to grab our holiday snapshots.
There were quite a few people around and it was pretty apparent to DH and myself that this spot was going to be overrun by people by the time sunset came round. We needed to find a different location!
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It's my first TR, the engagement one. I slacked off on that one though, and never actually finished the Grand Canyon section 
But I think I covered most of the mule ride.
the food looks delicious too.
The restaurant is gorgeous. I can't imagine what the hotel rooms look like. 
