Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon was one of my priorities. I really wanted to see it. So Thursday morning I was up and excited to go. We had driven by it for 40 minutes the night before as we drove from the Desert entrance to the park to the South entrance, but all the driving was done in the dark. By nine AM we were back on the road, to the Grand Canyon, almost.
Had to stop before the Grand Canyon was to pay for our camping spot. But it turned out to be a really great stop. I went into the shack to pay, but after a few minutes of waiting we were graciously given an complimentary night of lodging due to computer impatience. Computer impatience is a new term for me. It happens when computer takes forever and the employee is impatient.
Apparently he knew what I didn't: the car horn that kept beeping was actually the shuttle bus that couldn't get by because I parked the RV in its path. Oops.

With a smile I drove five minutes to the visitors center parking lot. Would we see it now?? Nope, time for another potty break. And then time to read about everything in the visitors center and sign up for the Junior Ranger program. And then we couldn't figure out which way to go But we did find out way and after an hour of delay it was now finally time to see the Grand Canyon. We walked down the path, Isaac and the kids ahead of Holly and then Sam and I taking up the rear. Just about the time that I could see it, I get this message relayed to me. Ahna, the honest, emotional child that she is, said, "That's It! All the way just for that?" Apparently there isn't a lot of appreciation in the heart of six year old for the world's greatest hole in the earth. But the day was good, pictures were great and the ice cream was awesome.



We watched a Navajo family sing, dance and perform in their regalia. Listened to a couple of fellas brag about their ten mile, 5,000 foot 7 hour hike. We did the Grand Canyon, and left by 2 PM. It was fun, and we thought it might make a great trip for a family with teenagers. Hiking, white water rafting and a ride via burro down to the Canyon floor might be in store for us in ten years.

~Paul