"The really wonderful moments of joy in the world are not the moments of self-satisfaction, but self-forgetfulness. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and contemplating your own greatness is pathological. At such moments we are made for a magnificent joy that comes from outside ourselves." - John Piper
I had the most incredible experience seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time! WOW... It indeed left me in awe. It made me reflect on the importance of seeing the bigger picture and seeking the joy that comes from beyond ourselves. I believe that it's these kinds of moments that bring true magnificence and wonder into our lives.
The Grand Canyon was a short drive from Page, AZ, so there was lots of daylight left to burn once we arrived. We entered the South Rim of the canyon, and these first few pictures were taken at Yavapai Point.
This was my first glimpse of the canyon, and it was magnificent!
Pictures don't do it justice. You have to see it to experience it. It's hard to fathom that it's 217 miles long and at places and a mile deep with the Colorado River flowing at the bottom—no wonder it's been named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
We ran across these big guys crossing the street. They crossed the road in front of us and paid no attention to us while we did the tourist thing and took their picture. I last saw an elk herd at Yellowstone National Park during the rut season.
These unassuming beautiful creatures are apparently the most dangerous animals in the Grand Canyon. They aren't usually aggressive but will defend themselves if necessary, and apparently, it's not pretty. This usually occurs during the calving season when they are protecting their babies.
Describing the feeling of experiencing The Grand Canyon is difficult. It made me feel small in the best possible way. A few words that come to mind are awe-inspiring, breathtaking and overwhelming.
Watching the sunrise in the canyon was truly incredible. You have to get up early to catch it, though. Many places around the canyon don't allow cars, so you have to catch a bus. We were up and waiting for the bus with coffee in hand by 5:30 in the morning.
It was a brisk 18 degrees this morning, and the wind made it even colder. But again, worth it to witness this.
The sheer size and vivid hues of The Grand Canyon are nothing short of staggering. You don't leave this place unchanged; if you are open to it, there is always something to learn from nature. My visit here taught me the value of finding happiness outside myself and learning to appreciate the incredible beauty and awe-inspiring moments life can offer.
Watching the canyon wake up is something I'll never forget. It goes from a dark purple pastel haze to a gorgeous pink-orange color, and it happens in minutes.
More pictures of the canyon waking up.
Cold, tired, and overwhelmed, but at the same time, feeling happy, fulfilled, and grateful for this little life of mine... red nose and all!
These bighorn sheep (Orvis canadensis nelsoni) were fun to spend a little time with. I had never seen one in person, and this close was a treat. This little family was enjoying an outing in the brisk morning weather.
It's crazy to imagine these guys scaling this canyon. The sheep at the Grand Canyon is one of the largest and most diverse naturally persisting populations of desert bighorn sheep. They like having access to water from the Colorado River.
If you want to catch a glimpse of them, your best chance is on the south and west rims of the Grand Canyon. These guys weren't huge, but some species in the park can get up to 300 pounds. I thought this little guy was pretty cute.
For some reason, this picture made me look up the number of deaths at the Grand Canyon. 🤦♀️ Sadly, the #2 cause of death is falls and heat-related dehydration, about 200 each. Most falls occur from people losing their footing while taking pictures, and in 2019 three people fell off the canyon within weeks of each other. The #1 cause of death is helicopter and airplane crashes, with 379. With over 4.1 million visitors a year, the statistics are pretty low that a death will occur, but it is happening more often with people taking crazy risks to get a great picture.
There was a rise in Grand Canyon suicides after the release of Thelma and Louise. Inspired by the movie, some people actually tried to drive off the canyon.
The sunrise over the canyon was awe-inspiring and such a peaceful and beautiful experience, but the sunset was even more spectacular.
After our sunrise adventures, we treated ourselves to brunch at the El Tovar Dining Room at the Grand Canyon Village. It's quite a historic place. The hotel itself first opened its doors in 1905. At the time, the architect envisioned a cross between a Swiss Chalet and a Norweigian Villa, and I think they nailed it. It has hosted influential people such as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, President Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, and Oprah.
We camped at a campground nearby, but I would like to stay there sometime. And by the way, brunch was incredible. There aren't many places that can offer a view of the Grand Canyon while you're brunching!
This is the face of a happy person who will never forget this fantastic sunset. I am an official, card-carrying sunset chaser. My son chases storms while I chase sunsets! I am forever in search of a beautiful ending to the day. It's nice to pause and reflect while watching the sunset on another day. I'm literally glowing, by the way! lol
We watched this gorgeous sunset from Hopi Point. It's the most popular place to catch a sunset along Hermit Road. Many people were around to watch this sunset, but it was surprisingly quiet and respectful. Everyone kept to themselves and just took it in. It was the same way watching sunsets on the beach too. It felt like a personal experience for everyone, and I know it was for me.
I'm not sure what's going on with my right eye, but I love this picture and the rays of the setting sun behind me.
More cool sunset pics. I have thousands of them on my phone if you're interested. lol Everyone wants to show me pictures of their grandchildren while I whip out landscape and sunset pictures. 😊
It was the perfect ending to an incredible day. I'm grateful for this trip and everything I've seen and experienced, and I don't take a second of it for granted.
We ended up at El Tavor in their bar for drinks and appetizers to end the day. And chili... Amazing chili served on rice, and it was SO good! We were exhausted after a day of chasing sunrises and sunsets around the Grand Canyon. My heart is full!
Fern stayed parked at the Trailer Village RV Park, and it was close to everything we wanted to do. The showers weren't located within the park, and we had to drive a short distance to a place that offered showers and laundry facilities. It was a hot shower, and I was happy about that!
This big guy hung out at our campsite and kept Fern company while we were gone.
Next stop... Apache Junction
Stay Wild 🌿
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