Wednesday July 23rd

Grand Canyon, ARIZONA

Ok so we don't mean to be sour pusses but so far we are not that impressed. Of course the Canyon itself is spectacular and bigger than you could ever imagine. Even when you think you have gone beyond your imagination go further. There is just so much!

The Park side of things really is not that impressive. WE have just come from two other National Parks and the services don't even compare. IT almost feels like there is just so much of the canyon and so many people that the park services has kinda just let you fend for yourself. It took forever just to find somewhere with a map. Then to find signage for the visitor center was quite the adventure. But we did eventually get our bearings.

WE decided hiking into the Canyon was not going to bethe greatest idea as it was getting later which means HOTand thought it would be better to stay to the rim trails. But before anything Bryce had to look into Mule Rides. This comes from him not being able to go when he was younger cause he was too short. So we went to our "trusty" Visitor Centre people and all they said was oh you usually book a year in advance for that. But as we have learned everybody says that about everything down here. Every campsite we went to said full and it wasn't. So we went to the Mule reservation desk and yes we are taking a Mule ride into the Grand Canyon tomorrow. Starts at 7:00am and returns at 3pm ish. We were a bit worried for moment as it was not question Bryce was tall enough this time. But oh is he under the weight limit. LOL!

We had a great exploring day of the Rim. Went out to the eastern viewpoint which is called Desert View and the Watch Tower there. Then headed to the Western Veiwpoints and did a small hike along the rim as far as we could go as some of the points are closed due to construction. What it did give us was a view of the Bright Angel trail which is what we will be riding on the mules.Had an explore around the Bright Angel lodge and checked out some of the historical elements. Finished the daytime with a great dinner as always with Bryce. Rachel is sure the camping stove cooks better than her stove at home.

So with the feeling of not getting a lot out of the services at the park. Rachel turned back to her book she had been reading about the Grand Canyon. IT talked a bit about a isolated viewpoint in the canyon that no one really goes to because it is a 20 min hike off the main road along a dirt service road. It is mainly used for events like weddings. IT is called Shoeshone Point and is saidto be a spectacular view for sunset.So we headed out on an adventure to find this hidden gem of the canyon. WE found the dirt road and eventually came out upon this knife edgewith an un believable view of the canyon. Not a sole and not a sound out on this point. WE just sat and watched the sun set on the canyon in this special place that on this night only Bryce and Rachel got to experience. AMAZING. WE finally felt like we connected with the place that we had been longing to feel grand about.

More tomorrow about our adventures of Mule riding . Oh GEEZ!