August 31 2010

The Grand Canyon, Williams, Arizona - 65 miles each way

75 Sunny

Day 101

Today we are traveling to see the Grand Canyon. Even though we have visited the park before, it is awe inspiring each time. We have opted to drive instead of the railroad because we can take Abbie if we drive.

The landscape is mostly flat and sagebrush riddled on this approach to the park. It seems greener here than it normally is. The drive takes us a little more than an hour.

It is much hotter than the 65 degrees predicted.Luckily there is always wind near the canyon.

The Grand Canyon is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. The immense scale of the canyon is just mind-boggling. The colors of the rock and the different layers are gorgeous. I am not a real fan of heights, so as we walk the rim walkway I am not one of the nuts that venture out onto the rocky edges of the canyon. We walk for a couple of hours. As we walk we are amazed at every new vista of the canyon. The vegetation in the canyon seems to be greener than normal. The depth the canon plummets to the Colorado River is hard to imagine. You can see a resort on the river below only if you look through binoculars.

We visit El Tobar, the very old hotel located on the rim near Bright Angel Trail. Bright Angel Trail is where the mules still take riders down to the bottom of the canyon. The hotel, with its log façade, still looks great.

Abbie seems to love her stroll along the rim. She wants to chase the little squirrels that chitter when they see her. They are totally unafraid as they scurry over the edge of the canyon seemingly into the abyss. I hold on extra tight to Abbie's leash. She has no restraint or sense when it comes to squirrels.

That evening we dine on Mexican food at a local cantina in Williams. We enjoyed the spicy food and drink as we talked of our trek to the magnificent Grand Canyon.

It was beautiful!