My First View of the Grand Canyon at the South Rim
After years of yearning to see the Grand Canyon, I recently caught my first glimpse. The Canyon is way beyond grand– it’s indescribably magnificent, beyond glorious. It’s overwhelming. My heart started racing, the sight literally took my breadth away and almost brought tears to my eyes.
Majestic Red Rocks
Having built up a lifetime of dazzling expectations, I was afraid of being disappointed, but the reality was exactly the opposite –the view of twisted ravines, spectacular plateaus, and layers of terracotta, muted gold and brown rock were more stunning than I’d hoped; dramatic, scary and unfathomably deep.
Grand Views
I wanted to sit and just contemplate, however, my time was limited. Instead I quickly walked along trying to inhale every angle and vista possible. My photos do incredible injustice to the majestic two thousand million year-old gorge.
View from the Watchtower
I touched a mere smattering of the 280 mile-long natural wonder. I peeked thousands of feet below from the South Rim near the Visitor’s Center to the Bright Angel Lodge. I also traveled by car to the 70-foot tall Watchtower at Desert View, which provided more astounding vistas. And then a friend confided that the North Rim view is even more spectacular.
A closer look at the Canyon
Next time, and trust me, there will be a next time, I plan to hike all the way down to the bottom of Grand Canyon National Park, ride a donkey and savor a sunrise or sunset. But for now, I’m content with my tantalizingly short sojourn to this most sacred and humbling place.
Rafters get started at Lees Ferry
For Visitor Information: http://www.arizonaguide.com/
Imagine stepping back in time and arriving at the Grand Canyon the same way travelers did more than 100 years ago- on the iron horse.
I recently experienced this journey starting in the heart of downtown Williams, Arizona, a frontier “Main Street” town along the legendary Route 66. Williams retains much original architecture and road-side appeal from the era when car travel was king and roadside cafes dotted the rural towns along fabled Route 66.
In Williams, every morning begins with a Wild West shootout. Of course, I expected a lot of cheesy humor from a scripted show, but the costumed actors were surprisingly good and the banter was honestly fun. The audience got into the moment.
Shoot-Out in Williams, AZ
Afterward, the crowd walks to the diesel-powered train as the conductor barks out, “All-aboard!” My first-class ticket provided entree to the “luxury” cars with sofas and tables, an attendant, food, drinks and even a strolling banjo player. What a relaxing and stress-free journey. During the two and half hour ride, I walked from car to car and stood on the rear platform to capture some incredibly exotic “Kodak” moments with my camera.
Before the railroad opened for business in 1901, visitors arrived at the magnificently chiseled Canyon via four-horse-team stagecoach. Tickets cost $20 for that arduous bumpy ride compared to $3.95 for the new-fangled choo-choo. No wonder steam powered trains instantly became the desired choice of public transport. However, as automobiles grew in popularity, rail travel slowly dwindled. In 1968, the tracks went quiet and lay dormant for twenty more years. Then, in 1989, the line was renovated, providing children and adults an opportunity to savor a most romantic mode of travel.
Grand Canyon Depot
Banjo player on the Grand Canyon Railroad
My sojourn ended in front of the massive, yet cozy Grand Canyon Depot, an incredibly picturesque log-framed station. Back in 1905, the Santa Fe Railway built the El Tovar Hotel across the tracks. The El Tovar reigned as one of the most luxurious hotels of its day featuring hot and cold running water, electric lights, art galleries and plush dining rooms. The original dark timbered structure still beckons and I walked in to take a peek. Moose, deer and buffalo heads adorn the lobby along with large paintings of the Canyon. Most US Presidents through the 20th Century have stayed there. Sadly, I did not.
My first look at the Grand Canyon truly overwhelmed me- it’s stunning, awesome, terrifying– yet glorious. My heart raced and tears formed in my eyes. Grand is not the right word; there simply are no apt words to capture this national treasure should be high on everyone’s bucket list. It does not disappoint.
Ample and safe parking for autos is available in Williams near the train station. Riding the rail relieves the Grand Canyon of some 50,000 cars annually. In addition, arrival by train bypasses tollbooth backups and eliminates the need to utilize shuttle bus transfers from remote parking to the Grand Canyon Village and South Rim.
Blueberry Pie at the Pine Country Restaurant, Williams, AZ
Anybody who knows me, knows I love pie– especially fresh fruit pies. Well friends, I finally did it. I ordered a piece of pie for breakfast.
I was sipping a mug of coffee in Williams, Arizona, while waiting for the train–specifically the Grand Canyon Railway that would transport me to the Grand Canyon. It’s an understatement to say I was beyond excited. I was giddy and needed a truly grand breakfast. So, as luck would have it, I happened to be in the Pine Country Restaurant, home of world-famous pies.Their motto reads: Everyone should have a little pie in the pines and I agreed.
