The historic Grand Canyon Lodge burned down. The lodge was consumed by a wildfire on Monday, July 14 and a fire still burns on the Kaibab Plateau as I write this.
Here’s a webcam from Kolb Studio at the South Rim looking north.
For me, this wildfire event is a reminder not to postpone my list. A List. Your List. The things-you-want-to-do-before-you-die list.
The list is now a things-to-see-before-they-disappear list.
Staying at this lodge was on my list; but not on my current list.
Here is a stock image of the lodge. I missed seeing this amazing place. I missed staying at this lodge.
Running the Rim-To-Rim (R2R) in a day was on my list (and staying at this lodge the night before), but not on my current list mainly because I haven’t been running or trail running as much lately – I’ve been in a running rut. It was POSTPONED.
If there are places I want to visit, things I want to see, I can’t put it off.
Our world is changing and things are disappearing.
I wish I had made it there.
There are places that are so special in our nation’s history: historic lodges and hotels in our National Parks are big in my book. These are my favorite places. I was so happy to go stay at the Glacier Park Hotel in 2024 after staying close to it on my trip through National Parks in 1988.
I don’t want to say I missed that opportunity to go see something special. I’m working on my NEW list and here is a start, these are the places I want to see before they disappear:
- Hike Gunsight Pass in Glacier National Park and see Jackson Glacier up close. (2026)
- Hike Mount Washburn in Yellowstone (2026)
- Hike Mount Whitney
- R2R
- Vsit National Parks in the Northwest – I’ve never been to any of them. Yosemite (2027)
- Stay at Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, even when I can’t afford it.
- Another Presidential Traverse
- Another one-day Pemi Loop
- Hike Saguaro National Park – just keep going back and seeing more of the desert.
I am eager to see the world, I’m insatiably curious. I’m pretty fit and just love a good plan.
Carpe Diem, man.
And, if you made it this far, not to be dramatic or anything – my thoughts go right to this movie, One Week. I’ve watched it at least 10 times and watching it forces me to remember to ask the questions. You know the questions.