It really is more than a big hole in the ground.

It really is more than a big hole in the ground.....

welcome to the Grand Canyon

As most of my friends know, Dennis and I have had a long standing "stand off" when it comes to our travels, the close proximity we have been to the Grand Canyon and his determination to not go....and my whining and pouting about our not going and ....even many of you have joined...taking my side and giving Dennis a hard time about this matter.  Well, It is done....we have gone, seen and in my opinion, conquered the Grand Canyon.

on the edge..

a fabulous view

In the interest of space and time...I am just going to download some of my favorite pics...it was hard to decide.  Suffice it to say...we hiked...fit bit reports we went 7 miles and over 20 flights of stairs.  We stood perilously close to the edge and on several occasions I just sat on the edge to drink it all in....

why couldn't I get dennis to take this trail?

For those of you considering a trip to the canyon, our recommendation is definitely taking the free shuttles inside the canyon.  "blue to red" takes you to the  overlooks you cannot access by car.  And while the shuttles might be a bit crowded, once you disembark people just disperse.  And you have the option of walking the "Rim trail" which takes you essentially to the next shuttle stop.  If you want to walk the entire trail, great.  If you want to walk to one stop then ride to the next that works too.  We chose to walk between several of the stops which gave us tremendous views of the canyon and the trail is completely un guarded so we could just walk to the edge, which we did over and over again.  And we were amazed at the LACK of people...we might have come in contact with one or two people on the trail but other than that.....In other words, much to Dennis' delight the canyon was as "un touristy"  as he could have ever imagined.  

The shuttles were well run, the drivers informative and friendly and they ran from stop to stop so frequently that we never waited more than 5 minutes.  I never ever heard a grumble or complaint when the bus was full and a little squishy.  All in all it was a perfect perfect day of overwhelming awesome witnessing to the majesty of God and the splendor of his creation.  Our God is an awesome God...

.Colossians 1: 16   For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him and in and for Him.

looking straight down

 

 I'm not the best at this picture placement thing...please forgive and...we are packing up because after yesterday the only thing left to do is get back on the road again!