A Traveler's Experience

Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway (AZ)

Our family camped out at Jacob Lake, AZ, and then my oldest son, David, and I biked from our campsite to Grand Canyon Lodge, while my wife and the rest of the family drove on ahead on the Kaibab Plateau - North Rim Byway. What an incredible bike ride! Lots of beautiful forests, meadows, and wildlife! And of course, there is the unforgettable (and uncrowded!) view of the Grand Canyon at the end. The road climbs a bit coming out of Jacob Lake, but then it levels off at the top of the plateau and crosses some peaceful meadows. There are a few fun descents and climbs near the end, as well. When my wife and family were just a couple hundred yards ahead of David and I on our bikes, she saw a mountain lion run across the road. This was just a few miles outside of Jacob Lake. Drat, if only my son and I had taken that initial climb a little faster, we could have seen it as well. Hmm... I wonder: how fast can a mountain lion run? More importantly, how fast can an old biker pedal if chased by a mountain lion?