The cows revisit the Southwestern U.S., part 2

October 2012

With Death Valley behind them, the cows hit the road -- the Mother Road. Many parts of their journey would take them on Historic Route 66 through portions of Arizona and California.

"Hey Lunch, greetings from Arizona!"

This is Seligman on one of the historic portions of the old highway.

Lunch and Snack stopped for dinner at Cruiser's Cafe 66 Bar & Grill in Williams, Ariz., also part of the historic highway route.

The next stop, the Grand Canyon. This was the cow's second visit to the South Rim at one of America's most-visited national parks.

As expected, the view was breathtaking.

Even in mid-October, many visitors came for the amazing scenery.

This is the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at Mather Point. Located in the Grand Canyon Village area, it's one of the busiest places in the park.

"No Lunch, you don't get to do any climbing around the rim."

Lunch and Snack met up with a fellow traveler ~~ a raven, one of the park's avian inhabitants. The raven is considered by native southwestern tribes to be a messenger and a bringer of light, so the cows were intrigued on what this raven could tell them.

The raven chatted more with the cows at Hermit's Rest along the rim before departing, leaving Lunch and Snack to the rest of their visit.

"What an interesting creature, Lunch."

Lunch and Snack stopped of at the Tusayan Ruin on their way east in the park. This ancestral Puebloan structure was the ruins of a kiva, thought to be a ceremonial gathering place for the village's inhabitants around 800 years ago.

"Hey, we've been here before too!"

"That's right Lunch, this is the Desert View Watchtower. There are some great views from the top."

The 70-foot tall steel and stone tower is perched right on the rim at Desert View. It was designed by Mary Colter for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and completed in 1932 as a visitor concession structure for the Fred Harvey Company.

"And of course, there's a gift shop."

The intrepid bovines admired the view of the Colorado River far below from their vantage point at the top of the watchtower.

The inside of the tower was adorned with native-themed artwork.

But the cows weren't quite sure what it all meant.

The view from the tower's patio was equally as impressive.

"Hey Snack! Is that our friend with a companion?"

"I sure couldn't say Lunch, but they sure look happy soaring out over the canyon.

"Fair winds fellow traveler!"