A Grand Visit

From a very rocky start, our unexpected extended stay in the Grand Canyon has been nothing short of a gift.  In that we are on orders for Rob to get stabilized before we move on, we certainly could not have asked for a better place to do so.

We’ve taken baby steps each day toward more and more activity as Rob’s health has continued to improve.  The first day, we got situated with the park staff and a new site that we could stay in for the duration.  We walked over to the general store and found our way to the nearest shuttle stop in search of our first canyon glimpse.  AAAHHHH.  We’ve arrived!

You don’t need my descriptions that can’t even begin to do justice to the magic that is the Grand Canyon.  We casually wandered our way down the less traveled path away from the Visitor Center and I found myself in jaw dropping silence at each turn.  With every shift of the sun or our position, the canyon changed and I filled my camera with countless images that don’t even being to tell the story. Each day since has been filled with similar experiences.  From watching the first sun hit the canyon walls to seeing the glow move through the canyon as the day ends.  We have slowly moved from day to day finding new adventures to explore that fulfill the added goal of improved stamina and health.

To start, we walked the rim from Visitor Center to Visitor Center seeing the unique and historic buildings from the origin of the park.  Day two we rode our bikes on the park’s interior bike paths.  As we added challenge, we went further afield and walked over 7 miles along the rim from the further reaches back into the park center.  And finally, yesterday, we really pushed the limits and descended the canyon rim 3 miles down (and back up!) Bright Angel Trail.

Each night we’ve grabbed our little lantern and hiked over to the Lecture Hall to hear the ranger talks.  Although not overly stimulating, they do impart knowledge in one form or another and are presented by the friendly, enthusiastic and genuine park rangers from all walks of life.  It bears noting that the hike there and back as well as the hour in the heat are both delightful!  The best program was more challenging but most exciting as we met behind the Visitor Center in the parking lot where the winds were whipping and the temps dropping to witness the night sky with that same enthusiastic leadership.

The crowds here are wonderfully diverse with English nearly being the least heard language which I love.  Surprisingly through our extended stay we’ve not met many people.  The cold weather has not exactly brought out the beer drinking crowd but we’ve grabbed a few campsite neighbors who were up for a brew, one of whom is from Rob’s alma mater.  Steve and Rob had some good laughs and we look forward to meeting them again when we visit Fort Collins.  Otherwise, it’s been a pretty solitary affair.

The weather has been … well, chilly?  For us, highs now in the 50s, winds 20-30 and nights below freezing are downright COLD!  I do find, though, that there’s a certain return to origin in having to stay warm.  Wool socks, extra blankets and cozy layers of clothes all have a certain romance if you don’t fight against it all.  I sit here curled up as the morning sun begins to creep through the window.  My tea is already cold and my fingers are the same and I’ve run out of layers to wear…and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!