On September 30, the day of my 28th birthday, I simply went wandering in the Ponderosa Pine forest to the east of Grand Canyon Village, with the relaxing intent of getting lost. The premise was simple. To the north was the rim, and to the south there was an east/west forest service road. When I had enough of the woods for the day, I could simply head north or south until reaching one of these landmarks, and turn east to the village. It worked out beautifully, and I roamed the woods as if I were a child, stumbling upon a surprising number of interesting artifacts along the way.

These are the railroad tracks that lead to Williams. The photos were taken on a previous evening.

My first discovery was probably the most significant. This vehicle looks like it’s been out here quite a while, don’t you think?

It wasn’t long after I wandered away from the car, that I found this “historic trash dump.”

There was old, derelict but well-constructed building near the trash heap. It was surrounded by heavy barbed wire, and I couldn’t make out what it used to be. My guess is that it was from the 1950s or later.

On my map, this dirt road is called Ponderosa Run.

I have no idea.

elk tracks

I don’t know what this old pipeline was for – the Orphan Mine, maybe?

It’s been a few years since I’ve been in my hometown on my birthday, and I think I like it that way. Last year I was in the woods in Vermont on The Long Trail. The year before that, I was in Euguene, Oregon, earning money to continue my bike tour across the country. On this day of course I was at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. I wonder where I’ll be next year?