16. The Grand Canyon (Mary's Birthday)

THE GRAND CANYON , Walnut Canyon and Little Colorado River Gorge❤️❤️
April 30, May 1-2

Walnut Canyon and Gorge Photo album


Grand Canyon Photo Album

April 30th, 2017

After a good breakfast we headed towards Flagstaff.

 saw a sign for Walnut Canyon which is a national monument and decided to check it out. It was very impressive, with a long trail that led down into the canyon and through several cliff dwellings, we decided to pass on the walk but enjoyed the views and the info center then were on our way. We spoke to a woman at a gas station and decided to take the east entrance into the park. It was longer but more scenic. We stopped at a smaller canyon on the Little Colorado River, Mary bought herself a birthday present at a roadside Hopi Indian craft stand and then we proceeded into the park. We stopped at the Watch Tower and were blown away by how beautiful and immense the canyon is. The watch Tower is built in the native style and gives amazing views of the canyon, very well done. We were amazed at the way people would walk past the guard rails and down paths that lead out onto rocks that were in fact the edge of cliffs, some climbed onto rock towers to have their picture taken. One missed step or stumble would result in a 1000 ft fall and certain death but they posed and took selfies, it was hard to watch.

The views from all around the tower take your breath away, pictures and words cannot convey the feelings you get when you see this magnificent wonder of nature. We took picture after picture, for a place with so many people it was fairly quiet as people gazed in wonder, there was a sense of reverence. That happened over and over again as each new view or change in light made the canyon more beautiful. We stopped at 3 vistas on the way in each one with incredible views then decided to head for our campsite. The site was fine and we headed out to see our first canyon sunset. After a bit of a scramble we managed to find a place to watch the sun go down, it was great.

May 1st, 2017

When Mary got up the girl from the next campsite asked if she knew how to boost a car because her battery was dead. We helped her get it started then invited them over for breakfast. Marine from France was visiting her friend Charline, who was also french but working in California. They were camping and travelling together and were a joy to get to know. They reminded us so much of our wonderful friend Annaick as they shared their stories with us. After breakfast we headed to the visitor center to watch a video on the canyon and the decided to head back out in the direction we came in and finish the rest of the stops we missed the day before. Wanting to see the tower again we ran into Charline and Marine again and took more pictures with them. We again said our goodbyes and worked our way back towards the village stopping to marvel and take pictures at each stop along the way. After supper we headed out for sunset #2, this time we knew what we were doing, we went to Mathers point where we could watch the setting sun reflect on the eastern end of the canyon.

May 2nd, 2017

We got up early 4:30 and headed out to Mathers point again this time to watch the sun rise. After breakfast we took the shuttle bus and explored the western end of the canyon stretching from the Bright Angel Hotel to Hermit's Rest. There are 9 stops each with it's own perspective view of the canyon. We met a couple from Brampton and walked between one of the stops with them. We went to every point in the west side all the way to Hermit's Rest. This is a national park so it's very we'll maintained and run... there's a freeshuttle bus that takes you along the western rim in fact cars 🚗 aren't allowed on the west side. On the way back we decided to walk down the Bright Angel Trail for about 100 m or so ... this trail takes you right down to the canyon floor ... soooo cool...

Mary's Perspective

The whole point of this trip for me was to make it to the Grand Canyon for my birthday. We entered the park from the eastern side and went to the first lookout  called the watchtower. As you're walking along you see people coming back from the tower on you're wondering what have you seen?  what was I going to see? ....  I'm the rookie here  and they've taken at all in ....😳..... So with anticipation and butterflies in my stomach we want the lawn and then this vision appeared before my eyes it was the most spectacular view I have ever seen😲the EARTH opened up below us and the cliffs....the buttes ....the faults and the Colorado River were right there.... before my very eyes. I cried. The immense size overwhelmed all of my senses .... words cannot describe what I saw !!!  My 55th birthday was so special being here in the canyon with Peter... we enjoyed the eastern 👀 lookouts al day then went back to camp ... had a delicious fajita supper followed by a birthday pie in the most serene place on earth 🌏 perfection !!!! I will most definitely come back I don't think this place ever yes old !!!!❤️❤️❤️