Grand Canyon

We woke early last Friday. I made us a big family breakfast of bacon, eggs, pancakes, and coffee. We left shortly after breakfast for a 6 hour drive. Our dogs were in good hands with an in house dog-sitter. (cats too). The "kids" sat in the back seat watching movies on the computer...husband drove....I, well, I tried to stay awake. All was real easy until we got north of Phoenix and then the terrain changed quickly - steep up hill, eh, mountain...and steep curvy declines...and then up again, eventually gaining almost 6000 feet in altitude. In addition to the mountains we went from desert scrub to pine forest. After about 5 hours we entered the painted desert....a beautiful part of the desert just east of the Grand Canyon that is filled with layers of color...

We entered the Grand Canyon from the east, near the Watch Tower.


I was so excited to be here that when we all climbed out of the car to head to the watch tower...I forgot to lock the car...with my daughters purse inside, the computer...and all our luggage...thankfully after I remembered and husband went back to lock it...all was safe and sound. sigh...

It was beautiful. I stood there speechless...


The forest ranger who took our park admission fee ($25.00) told us to stop at three or four look out points....but we only stopped at two. I wanted to get to our hotel, in the Grand Canyon "Village," check in and then walk to the rim for the sunset...which we did...




After the sunset we had a late dinner at the Bright Angel. It was a little expensive but really fun and delicious. After that we walked back to our rooms with the intention of getting a good nights sleep so we could get up early and watch the sunrise.

Which we did...






After the sunrise we went back to the hotel for coffee and breakfast. We checked out of our rooms and loaded the car which we parked at the Park headquarters. Then we took a two hour hike along the rim. It was awesome.




After the walk we headed home, tired, but deeply satisfied...

Comments

Unknown said…
I've stood at that same spot, also speechless! So beautiful.
Jan said…
What stunning pictures. Thank you.

Sadly, the only time I've been to the Grand Canyon was when we moved from WA State to VA in the 1970s. And the canyon was filled with fog!
Lori said…
Gorgeous pictures! That canyon is truly an awesome thing! Goodness what a little bitty river can do with a lot of determination!

The only time I was there was for a three day hiking trip with my cousins' church group over one Thanksgiving when I was 15. This inspires me to write about that adventure!
Terri said…
Something I forgot to mention: when we walked to the canyon rim early in the morning it was about 50 degrees. But when we got about 1/2 block from the rim we were hit by this block of warm air and from that point the closer we got to the rim the warmer we were. The canyon holds heat. It can be 20 degree warmer inside the canyon than on the rim. It was incredible to hit the block of warm air, so very distinctive!
Anonymous said…
I am so afraid of heights... that I couldnt' get super close to the rim. Hubbahubba had to take most of our pictures... because I was sitting down wherever I thought I was actually on solid ground (as opposed to overhanging rock).

When we visited... I wished we had the time to take the trek into the canyon... or... the money to take the helicopter ride through the canyon. That would have been fantastic!!!!!

Rest well at home!!!!!
zorra said…
Thank you for the pictures!
This is a wonderful place that I haven't been to yet.
Thank you for the photos from me too. I would love to go back there some day. My one and only experience was staying overnight in a lodge and then eating hardboiled eggs and lunchmeat for breakfast as we sat at an overlook at sunrise. Definitely not enough of an experience at all!
beautiful! beautimoso! beautifico!
Grace thing said…
Wow. Gorgeous photos. So glad you made the trip. Makes me want to go. I haven't been since I was a young girl.
Barbara B. said…
Great pictures! Sounds like an awesome time.
Wow, Just amazing. Sue, that's BL really wants to go. I showed her these pics and she is now packing...
Your kids look great, too. Thanks for sharing your great adventure.
Katherine E. said…
D and I are planning a trip there...one of these days. I've never been to the Grand Canyon, so you're pics and description really fascinated me. Thanks, mompriest.

Hope this is a good week at work for you!
Julie said…
Those are great pictures! I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon...
hip2b said…
Wow. So glad you had a nice time. Love the photos.
Sally said…
What wonderful photos, am I allowed to be envious of your experience? I'd love to see the Grand Canyon!
Anonymous said…
Great pictures--I'd love to see the Grand Canyon but I have this problem with heights...
1-4 Grace said…
incredible pictures, but my guess is, even great pictures like yours can't fully capture this enormous creation. would have loved to be there at sunrise with you!
Muthah+ said…
Your wonderful picts reminded me of our trip. We too saw the canyon at sunset and then had dinner at the resturant at the rim. When we came out after a long wonderful meal, a huge harvest moon was coming up over the canyon. Even 25 years later, that image stays with me.

Thanks for sharing your pictures that brought up wonderful memories

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