Big Hole in the Earth

As we entered Grand Canyon National Park Mylinh started to wonder what all the fuss was about. At the top of the canyon (usually referred to as "the rim") there was ugly high desert plateaus filled with pine trees. Then, moments later, I pulled into one of the many viewing areas. Her eyes lit up and the only words she could utter were "wow" and "oh my god." She is surely not the first person to be in awe of the magnificence of the Grand Canyon.

Teddy Roosevelt, the father of the national park system, once said that every American should see the Grand Canyon at least once in their lifetime. The multi-colored layers of rock are mesmerizing and the sheer size of the canyon is daunting.

We set up camp and decided to check out the many viewing areas along the south rim. Although each view was similar to the next, they each allowed you to see different parts of the canyon that are all equally beautiful. We made big plans to wake up at 445am the next morning and hike down 2 miles into the canyon to watch the sunrise.

As you might have predicted, the alarm went off at 445am and when I looked at Mylinh to see if she was ready to get up, she looked back at me like I was crazy. You see, the Grand Canyon region had recently experienced a cold front and on that morning it was 33 degrees out. We made up for our laziness by jumping in the car and driving out to one of the better view points before the 645am sunrise. We then made an hour hike down Bright Angel trail to get a view of the canyon's interior. We had to make it to New Mexico that day so packed up quick, forewent breakfast, and got on the road.

While the GC was spectacular and lovely I don't think it would ever rank as one of my top national parks. It was far too developed and touristy (a great place to see Japanese tourists flashing the peace sign for the camera) and is kind of a one-hit-wonder. However, that doesn't mean I wouldn't love to make a 3-4 day backpacking trip down the canyon to the Colorado River....any takers?