The Big Day

April 6, 2016
Williams, AZ

We've been enjoying second cup as our neighbors make their way to the train depot each morning, but Wednesday we're out the driveway in the Jeep as the train pulls from the station. 

In addition to the train(s) entering the Grand Canyon at the South Rim, lots of buses, RVs, and even more cars arrive each day. We prepare ourselves for lines, crowded photo ops, and lack of parking.

Five lanes, all at least a dozen vehicles deep. We get behind the guy who needs each pass explained four times....sigh.

Bill saw the canyon when he was nine, and vaguely remembers it. I've never been. We've both seen hundreds of amazing photos. We know it's going to blow our minds.

Parking is full at Mather Point Visitors' Center, but we find a spot at the Yavapai Geology Museum. The fact that you can't see the canyon from the road, makes that short walk from the lot full of anticipation. We can see where the rim trail is from all the people in a line looking north.

Even though it's not cloudy, the sky is hazy, the colors muted. But......seriously, Wow!  

Nothing can prepare you for the reality of this in person.

We're  here!

 I'm surprised by how open the trail is to the edge. While others are stepping on to the rocks, and climbing around the trees, I'm hugging the far side of the trail. I can feel the depth pulling me :-( Eventually I get more comfortable with the trail, but it takes me a while.

I expect the depth, but I'm indeed blown away by the width! 10 miles across to North Rim - and so many incredible layers. You've probably all seen it, so you know. I'll always remember this first time.

Although small, the geology museum is full of well-presented information. It is laid out to move people efficiently so even with the crowd, we're able to enjoy it at our own pace. We're only slowed by the number of people getting their doggie fix from Tessa (who takes her job seriously).

Many, many canyons

The relief map is impressive and educational

The stories told in the layers

More cameras per foot than most photography stores

We plan to take the shuttle into the Village, and then to Hermit Road, but at the museum stop the number of people waiting is overwhelming. I can't imagine packing into the big bus on narrow roads, getting in and out to take pics. I know we missed a lot of beautiful vistas, but the shuttle isn't for me this time.

We have a sandwich at the Village where it feels like an amusement park. Should have brought our own and enjoyed it at the rim - next time.

Around the corner is an RV campground with FHUs. While the number of people wouldn't be less, having a couple days to figure it all out, and being embedded in the park seems like the ideal way to see this wonder. 

The smaller visitors' center near ALL the hotels and lodges is more souvenirs than information, but the exhibit on those who have lived at the Grand Canyon is fascinating.

Several scruffy elk graze near the lodge

After several hours enjoying a "wonder of the world", we head south for home. In a couple weeks we are in Cameron, AZ. From there we'll visit the western end at Desert View and see the Watchtower. 

Everyone is right. We had to see it. We're so happy we did. It was a very big day.