D. Pat Thomas

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is other worldly. We camped out there and hiked, did yoga near the rim, frolicked and stared in amazement at the incredible beauty. This picture is from the Widforss trail, a 9.6 mile hike to a peninsula with views beyond belief. If you want restaurants, bars, gift shops and people, the South Rim is your ticket. But if you want to experience the Grand Canyon in silence, amid the trees, with stars popping in a dark night sky, then go to the North Rim. We even saw buffalo on our way out of the Park.

That said, the fire danger is frightening. Across the canyon we could see a raging fire that seemed larger every day, smoke billowing up into a hot dry sky. While we were there, the Rangers decided fires, even in the campsite metal rings, are just too dangerous. Even the sound of twigs cracking under our feet was dry. We all need to do a rain dance for the west.