I made it to the Grand Canyon!

[ms.yt]

I asked for advice on here a month or so ago about the possibility of driving from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon in one day. Thanks everybody who gave me great advice! It was definitely tiring, but totally worth it. I arrived in Phoenix at 9 a.m. and by the time I got my rental car and picked up my travel companions, we got on the road around 11. We had to wait in line for about 10 mins. to get in the gate, and then we had to drive around for a little while for a parking spot. We had lunch at the bar in El Tovar since they were in between lunch & dinner. After lunch, we walked around soaking in the beauty of the canyon for a couple of hours before heading back on the road.

We were going to head back through Sedona, but it was getting dark and we were tired, so we went back the faster way. It was a breathtaking experience, and I'm so glad I got to see it.

Here are a few of my pictures:

 

[Imzadi]

Good for you! I'm glad you had a wonderful time.

 

[MoniqueU]

Good for you. I have been under rather bizzarre circumstances, my DH and I were dating and got carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel the night before we were to go there. We ended up in the hospital in Flagstaff for a week near death, but anyhow we DID see it but I don't think we were in the right shape or frame of mind. We did fly over waimea canyon in hawaii by helicopter then went on a tour of that and if you like the grand canyon add that to your list. I am not a hawaii lover by any means but that was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

I love AZ even in the summer time. Congrats on fullfilling a dream.

 

[pigletgirl]

Glad you had a wonderful venture up there! It's beautiful any time of the year!

And I love the El Tovar too!

 

[Donut23]

I visited the Grand Canyon years ago - just after an El Tovar renovation. I remember my friend walked me up to the edge with my eyes closed so my first view was a full view. Amazing.

Something else amazing...the last two times we visited DL, we actually flew OVER the Grand Canyon. Both were clear days, we were on the left side of the aircraft on non-stop flights from Baltimore. You can see why the Grand Canyon can be seen from space. You really get an idea of the imense size of it....and it's beautiful from up there as well!


After watching the Ken Burns series "National Parks", DH and I have deciated ourselves to visiting a new (to us) national park each year. The grand canyon is high on my DH's list - he has not seen it yet from the ground.

Our National Parks are such treasures - Thank you Teddy and John Muir!!

 

[4nana]

Glad you were able to visit the GC and thx for sharing the beautiful pix ! We visited a couple yrs ago and felt the majestic view breathtaking also. Our National Parks indeed have so much beautiful to offer! We've been planning a trip to Mount Rushmore for some time and next week can't wait to venture in to new territory!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

OP, thank you for sharing those pictures with us! They are beautiful!

Something else amazing...the last two times we visited DL, we actually flew OVER the Grand Canyon. Both were clear days, we were on the left side of the aircraft on non-stop flights from Baltimore. You can see why the Grand Canyon can be seen from space. You really get an idea of the imense size of it....and it's beautiful from up there as well!

I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time last month when I flew over it twice. I also got to see it on a clear day and it was stunning! I have always wanted to go see it (on the ground), but now I want to go even more!

Glad you were able to visit the GC and thx for sharing the beautiful pix ! We visited a couple yrs ago and felt the majestic view breathtaking also. Our National Parks indeed have so much beautiful to offer! We've been planning a trip to Mount Rushmore for some time and next week can't wait to venture in to new territory!

I see your map in your signature! I think it's very cool that you are only one week away from having visited all 50 states! That's quite the accomplishment! Enjoy your trip!

 

[kacaju]

Beautiful. I have been there twice and I would go back in a minute if I had the money and time!!

My last trip was GC, Bryce and Zion. I love the National Parks!! My dd16 is on an
4-H exchange trip right now (left 5am this morning) to North Dakota. I just got a text from her that went to the Badlands and she thought they looked like the GC. She said they were awesome!!

 

[Snoozan]

Your pics are beautiful! My DH and I were there for a couple of days at the beginning of March and there was tons of snow around on the rim, but "down there" was just as clear. Seeing the GC was on my bucket list and I'm so glad we went, even if it was snowy and fairly cold. If I go back again, it'll be in late spring to avoid the snow. Now onto my next bucket list location - Newport, RI in a couple of weeks!

 

[Green Tea]

Beautiful shots. I love the El Tovar too! Save Sedona for next time!

 

[4nana]

I see your map in your signature! I think it's very cool that you are only one week away from having visited all 50 states! That's quite the accomplishment! Enjoy your trip!

Thank you! It is one of my DH's 'bucket list' dreams to complete the USA tour ! We have some fun things planned and are very thankful and excited to make this trip. As seniors we try to live each day to the fullest!