The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular natural attractions that visitors to America come to see. We were going to be part of that number, so after leaving Las Vegas in Nevada, we drove all the way to Williams in Arizona. We arrived late, so didn’t get to the Grand Canyon until the next day. After reading Trev’s blog, I think you will see why this tourist attraction is so popular. Enjoy!
Heading into Arizona.
Chayse doin "homework" on the way.
It may not be the longest, or the deepest, but it most certainly is the Grandest! The Grand Canyon, in the Arizona desert, did not disappoint!
Our run out of Vegas took us through some baron rocky countryside, where tuffs of low scrub and cacti grew. We passed the famous Hoover Dam and headed towards the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. Gradually we climbed to 7000 feet above sea level. The air became much cooler and we began seeing trees again. Our expectation was to drive all the way, but the day became night very quickly and we had to find a camp before it got too late. We located a KOA RV park on the road only 50 miles from the Grand Canyon. After missing the turn off by some 20 miles we finally pulled up for the night.
Driving in desert country towards grand canyon.
Waking up to the rim at Mather Point Lookout.
Mother and daughter
Flynn doing what Flynn does best!
The next morning we set off again in eager anticipation. Firstly arriving at the Imax movie visitor centre. The movie was very good and showed how the Indians, and then the first adventurers, explored the dangerous Colorado River that flows the stretch of the Canyon. I take my hat off to Scott (Cath’s brother), who only last year, spent three weeks rafting through the rapids of the Colorado River. These rapids are dangerous and have taken the lives of many people over the years.
This is a trip similar to what Cathy's brother Scott...
...went on last year.
Finally we pulled up at the rim of the canyon and jumped out of the RV, only to jump back in again! It was absolutely freezing outside! We donned all our warm clothes, our jackets, beanies and gloves. We rugged up Akaisha, and finally we headed off to see this dirty great big hole in the ground!
Akaisha snug as a bug in a rug!
A little chilly up here.
There we all are!
The Canyon from above.....
....and below!
As the kids raced ahead, Flynn saw his first sprinkling of snow (about 3 flakes) and raced back to Mum with the news. There were clumps of ice lying about the place as well, which also fascinated the kids. Every time we walked by these clumps, Chayse would announce in a huge voice that he can see snow. This had the many other tourists turning their heads to see what all the excitement was about.
Look! Snow!
Feels more like ice than snow!
We raced up to the Canyon and peered over to see the most awesome sight that there is to see! From where we were looking, the Grand Canyon was 1.2 miles wide and about 2000 feet deep. It was massive and hard to fathom its depth (our photos certainly don’t show it).
An awesome view.
Jai thinks so too.
We were all in awe for quite some time and tried to capture it all with our cameras. We took a 1.5 miles walk trail along the rim and paid a visit to the Yavapai Geology Museum and then caught a tram back to the visitor centre.
These views....
..says Amber,.....
...look spectacular!
As evening moved in the air temperature dropped and we decided to settle in at the Trailer Camp Village National Park camp ground. The forecast was for minus three degrees Celsius, followed by minus nine the following night, with 50% chance of snow. Now that is cold! We fired up our RV heater and snuggled in for the night. Flynn kept peeking out the door to see if the snow had arrived.
When we all awoke the next morning, to our disappointment, there was no snow to be found! Oh well. We headed back to see more sights along the Canyon’s rim when suddenly a coyote, only metres away, crossed the road! We managed to snap a picture before he disappeared.
A coyote appeared out of nowhere.
Appreciating the experience.
We needed to put Flynn through a few physical challenges to satisfy the requirements for his application for the Sports Leadership Program (for his school for next year). He needed to do 80 sit ups and a 1.6km timed run. So we set Flynn to do his sit ups on the rim of the canyon, followed by the run along the canyon’s rim. We thought he did particularly well because he was running at a very high altitude where the air was very thin and cold. We cheered him on as he raced by the scores of tourists photographing the canyon. They had no idea what was going on!
Flynn warming up....
...doing 80 sit ups....
....and running 1.6km.
From there we drove another thirty miles or so along the Canyon rim, stopping at all the vistas.
Not as light as the kids as you can tell from Trev's face!!!
The Colorado River running through the Canyon.
Kaitlin had to get a photo with her "Free Spirit" one dollar bill.
Yay! More snow!
Not as soft as she thought it would be!
Then we paid a visit to ancient Indian Ruins. These weren’t tepees, but stone dwellings with the doorways leading down from the roofs. The Indians had permanent settlements along the canyon where they grew maize and other crops.
Ancient Indian Ruins
Stone dwellings.
Our day ended at a camp in a city called Flagstaff. It is apparently the highest altitude city in Arizona… also cold! The kids quickly made buddies with a bunch of kids living in the RV Park, whilst we set up camp and caught up on the washing and other chores.
Driving past Indian towns situated near the Grand Canyon.
Sun setting as we leave the Grand Canyon.
Camping at the "lit up" KOA in Flagstaff.
We had a surprise visitor in our van.
I hope you enjoyed Trev’s account of our experience seeing the Grand Canyon. Next you’ll have to put up with my “spiritual” account of Sedona, a place where energy vortexes are a popular tourist attraction……
Have loved catching up on your travel stories! Fantastic photos. Where are you now?? Christmas in the RV? Have a very merry Christmas wherever you all are; we’ll be thinking of you! X
Hi Katie,
Currently in Virginia. We are only about 4 hours away from Pennsylvania where we will stay with Trev’s sister and family for Xmas. So back into a house and a little more room!
We sincerely hope you, Dave and the girls have a wonderful Xmas as well……….Hong Kong I assume.
Thank you for following our blog.
Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.
The canyon looks amazing! Photos can never do places like this justice…but they will keep the memory alive for you. Love the pic of you and Trev… I imagine you are just about back at Lynda’s now and looking forward to once again living in a house…especially as it is getting so cold!
All good here. Dad was going to go up to Brooke’s for Chrissy, but they are quarantined in their house with measles!! Chris brought them back from the rig…spent some time in hospital…but Gero doesn’t have an isolation ward so they sent him home for self imposed quarantine….for all of them!!! They can’t venture out…and noone in until after Christmas, The drs have taken the names of everyone they have been in contact with to notify them. I knew it was serious…but didn’t know it was that bad. The other guy from the rig was not flown home and is in critical care in Darwin. Not a good way to spend Christmas….not much anyone can do tho!
Anyway…all else good. Braeden is having Chritsmas dinner at his house this year on Christmas eve (first time I haven’t done it in many yrs!!)…Not a lot of Christmas cheer at my house! Then to Guy and Kylie’s for Christmas lunch….
Have a good one you guys!!!!
Love and Sunshine to you all
Aunty Trace XXXXXXXXX
Hi Trace,
We are only 4 hours from Pennsylvania and so far, no sign of snow. Apparently a very mild winter this year, but we hope to see some snow before we leave!
Living in a house will be great, although I think we may miss this RV. The blog will bring back many good memories.
Hope Brooke, Chris and the kids are all OK. (No last minute Xmas shopping for Brooke this year!) It will be nice to spend Xmas with your family. I wish things could be a little different for you, but 2012 will have good things in store, I’m sure.
We will be thinking of you over Xmas. Pease send our best wishes to the rest of your family and it won’t be long before we see you. Looking forward to it.
Take care…and Happy Xmas Trace xxx
Love Cath, Trev and the whole clan. xx
Hi All,
What a time you have been having! very envious.Las Vegas looked totally unbelievable I didn’t realise the hotels had some many different things inside. Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe travel home in the new year. I hope it snows @Christmas for Flynn( I can picture him already so excited)
Georgina, Stuart, Dylan and Lauryn
Hi Georgina, Stu, Dylan and Lauryn,
We had a wonderful Xmas, but not the white one we were expecting! However, we did have snow yesterday, so hoping the New Year will see some snow. Hope you had a lovely Xmas and have a fun filled New Years.
Love the Howitts
Merry Christmas Howitt Family
Looks like you are having a great time!!! So much fun seeing all of the photos of the exciting places that you all have been to. Looking forward to the last of your adventures. We are in full swing getting ready for Santa at our house. We hope you have a very merry Christmas.
Sandy R. MN
Hi Sandy and family,
I’m a little behind in the blog, but may interrupt normal proceedings with the Xmas one, then resume our trip. Hope things for you guys. Have a wonderful New Year.
Love all of us here.
Hi guys- well done Trevor- the blog brought back happy memories for Scott. It was great catching up on the phone last night and we are all excited for your return to the mundane life. The kids look fantastic and seem to be thriving. We had a lovely Christmas Day and the Webber Q is great. I might even learn to cook – well- maybe!!!!
Carmel and Rod are off to see Don and Jody Pike today. Don’s father Frank, passed away a week or so ago. He was only 69 and a great sportsman.
Hope you had a great Christmas with Linda and Alan and their families
Love to everyone.
Nan and Pop.
Hi Mum and Dad (and Nan and Pop),
We had a wonderful Xmas. Santa spoilt everyone. Lynda and Alan have been amazing hosts.
Sorry to hear about Don’s Father. It would have been a shock. And passing so close to Xmas…I’m sure the family will all support each other. Please ask Carmel to send our regards,
Cathy, Trev and kids. xx