Friday, March 27, 2020




I took the above pictures to demonstrate that people were not social distancing.  It was picked up by National Parks Traveler and went around the world.  I didn't get credit for it, though.  

Because of Covid 19, the hotels are closed, the entrance station, the VC, all shut down. As of today, the corridor trails are closed.

In March we spent four days at Phantom Ranch.  Because of the delay in warning everyone about the virus, we had semi-concerns about infection, but not seriously.  So we gaily passed dishes full of victuals up and down the tables, and talked with hikers from around the world.  Then we got out, hunkered down in the house, and waited for 14 days to see if we had been infected.  So far so good.

Phantom closed last week. The employees are locked away, probably thinking about all the days they were serving people, doing laundry for other people, cleaning the showers, etc.  There is a sign on the door essentially saying "Go away".  

We hiked down last Sunday to Indian Garden to see the Redbuds, thinking the hotels are closed so how many people can there be? 200, as a matter of fact.  And we were out of the Canyon by noon.  Whenever we passed anyone we stepped off the trail and faced away.  Everyone just jogged on by.  Some of them wanted to talk.  "How far to the river?"  "Go away and leave me alone," I grunted.  Then when we got to IG, a guy popped up and said, 

"Do I need a permit to camp here?"
"Of course."
"Well the driver of the Arizona shuttle told me that the Park was open and free, and no permits required, so we hiked down, and last night this rouge ranger appears and bawls us out."
"Which ranger?"
"She was wearing a mask."
Brad and I burst out laughing.  Ranger Betsy always wears a mask for sun protection (I have only seen her once without it) and she is a stickler for the regs.  
"I would listen to the LE ranger, because she is the one with the gun, badge, and citation book. And you should start hiking out so you get out before dark."
We explored the redbuds, and an hour later, he is still there,
Betsy is telling the guy to pack up and leave, and he is telling all the passing hikers that the shuttle driver told me he could stay, and who should he believe?

This group of kids kept passing us (closer than 6 feet) and cutting switchbacks and playing a radio.  They went to the River.  Do not know when they got out.  Social distancing?  Ha!


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