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...
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
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!
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!
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!!!!!
This is a wonderful place that I haven't been to yet.
Your kids look great, too. Thanks for sharing your great adventure.
Hope this is a good week at work for you!
Thanks for sharing your pictures that brought up wonderful memories