Sunday, July 28, 2013

Grand Canyon South Rim

 Mr. Cactus and I just got back from a little
2-day trip to the
Grand Canyon
 Now that we live in the Phoenix Metro
it's only a 3 1/2 hour drive to get to the
South Rim
 As many of you know, the
Grand Canyon is one of the 
7 Natural Wonders of The World
It's one of those places you must see for yourself
because pictures cannot capture the 
vastness, magnitude or 
immensity of the experience.
 We wanted to do some hiking.
I voted  to start with the easy
13 Mile 
Rim Trail
that winds along the top of the canyon .
 Most of this trail is paved,
and you always have the option of 
hopping on a Shuttle bus
that will take you to the next lookout point.
We did a mixture of hiking and riding,
which made for a very pleasant morning. 
 Layers of the Grand Canyon reveal 
40 % of the Earth's history.
Trail of Time markers
are set a meter apart
along the trail,
signifying 1 million years
of Geologic history.
Our National Parks are very family oriented.
We visited with people from all over the world
who came from long distances.
We heard many languages being spoken
from French to Italian to German.
In fact, very rarely did we
hear our native language of English
as we stopped at lookout points.
 There are 6 major overlooks
along the Rim Trail.
The South end of the Grand Canyon 
sits at an elevation of
7,000 feet above sea level.
 The deep fissures were carved by the 
Colorado River below.
 The Grand Canyon chasm is 277 miles long
and up to 18 miles wide.
 The monument to John Wesley Powell
at Powell Point
made us think a little bit of 
the Mayan El Castillo at Chichen Itza in Mexico.

 Powell was the first to explore the 
Grand Canyon in 1869
 This is
Monsoon Season
in Arizona
and as we traversed the trail
huge rain clouds began forming overhead.
Lightening strikes can be very dangerous
so the park began lining up shuttle buses
and requested everyone move off the mountainside.

I didn't mind much.
We headed to the Lodge restaurant with a
spectacular overlook
 and waited out the storm.
We dined leisurely on a very nice late lunch
while a torrential downpour
blanketed the skies.
I love a summer thunderstorm :)
Once things cleared up a bit,
Mr. Cactus was looking for a more rigorous hike
and  headed down part of the
Bright Angel Trail.
His descent of more than 1,000 feet was a little 
much for me so I stayed back and 
read, 
napped 
and enjoyed the most breathtaking views.

14 comments:

Cathy said...

I visited the South Rim about 18 months ago. You are right, pictures don't do it justice (though your photos are very nice); you really have to see it yourself sometime.

Cardygirl said...

What a fabulous trip! Great pics!

trish said...

What a breath taking location! :0)

Nat Palaskas said...

Thanks for sharing your trip to the Grand Canyon. We read about it, but never been there. I love the sound of you in the restaurant waiting out the storm. That would be us. We love rains - Hugs Nat

Gayle said...

Nice trip Nedra. We've only ever been to the North Rim, but I suppose the canyon is pretty much the same from either side, huh?

Sara said...

spectacular photos. This is one location I've never been and have always wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

we have been to both rims and really loved the north rim better - it is more isolated and not as many people - if you ever get a chance go see it in the fall - beautiful - we went in first week of October a couple years ago and had snow flurries one day! it was beautiful.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

What a glorious time, and such breathtaking photo's. I have never been there (yet) either, so to see it through you is wonderful. xo

Cindy said...

What a fun trip NEdra--I like the hike/shuttle option. Sounds like a great way to see the beauty. Thanks for your post. I always learn so much from you!

Lynette said...

We really need to take a trip down there as soon as pay issues get fixed. Do you know if the South Rim is the best side? (Driving from Colorado, we have no clue if we should go to the South or the North Rim.)

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