She’s had a face-lift. Last year when I visited in May, the yard was a construction zone and the tower was in scaffolding. 
For the first time, I actually had the opportunity to stay here. While it was nice and had the ambiance of a luxury hotel, the Rim Cabin at Bright Angel Lodge I had the first night had far more character.
The view was also spectacular, especially when compared to the parking lot behind El Tovar. Just a few feet from my front door was a bench where I could watch the sunrise.
This year I also spent some time talking about Fred Harvey postcards with Tom Ratz, a fellow collector who has worked at the El Tovar for almost thirty years. He’s about to have a book of canyon views, both photographs and postcards, published by Arcadia. Meanwhile, unwilling to settle for black and white, I’m still trying to find a publisher of my canyon history illustrated with 300 color postcards. Oh well.
Anyway, if you ever have a chance to dine at El Tovar and want an expert to point out changes from the following view and today, be sure to ask for Tom.
