Grand Canyon, Arizona

Driving in the desert through the Hopi and Navajo Reservations it almost feels like a back entrance. You drive up and watch as craters appear in the ground along the drive. You pass a few Native Americans with booths alongside the road selling turquoise jewelry, hand woven rugs and other things. Then all the sudden you are stopped by a park entrance check in. Here it is, finally visiting the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is a simple drive with pull off spots along the road where you will see the most impressive views. The word “Grand” doesn’t even begin to describe it. Massive. Magnificent. Awe inspiring. You instantly feel connected with the Earth and God all at the same time. Have you ever seen a mural or painting of the Grand Canyon hanging on someone’s wall? Well, seeing it in person feels the same but, more. It is so huge it seems unreal. It looks like the biggest mural you will ever see. It is hard to take it all in. Our minds simply can’t grasp that it is really there and not a painting. It almost looks 2D, except for the edge which only very rarely has guards. You can literally go right up to the edge and look off. You can step to the side on a trail and start hiking your way to the bottom. It is a relatively short drive before you come to the end of the road that dead ends at a store and restaurant. Buy your souvenirs, have lunch and relax for a while before heading back out the way you came.

Here are some photos I took. They pale in comparison to seeing it in person. I did not edit them, so the colors are not changed to make it look more vibrant. These are the colors that you see in person.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

After we left the Grand Canyon we drove northeast through the Hopi and Navajo Reservations to enter Utah. I have heard it is best to drive from north to south on this route to get the best views of Monument Valley but, we didn’t get to that this time. Also, you have to get to Monument Valley 30 minutes before sunset or you will not be allowed in. We also didn’t make it in time for that, hopefully another time. However, the views in the desert are beautiful and well worth the drive through whichever direction you are going.

• 

• 

• 

•