The Grand Canyon

I recently made my first excursion to the only of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World located in North America....the Grand Canyon.  As part of our summer travels with the grandchildren, a week was spent in Williams Arizona, where the Grand Canyon Railway  took me and my grandsons to the south rim of the Canyon.  Although I had some trepidation at the thought of bringing the boys to the rim of the canyon alone, I soon allowed myself to relax and enjoy the journey on the 1950's vintage train as it traveled 2 hours through ever changing scenery.  Strolling musicians on board entertained with old wild west tunes strummed out on banjos accompanied by harmonicas.  On the return journey a staged train robbery took place, where our only offering to the bandits was a stick of gum.  Luckily they were good sports and took no hostages. 

Aboard the Grand Canyon Railroad

The twins anticipating the journey

The grandeur of the canyon at first site is breathtaking and continues to fill me with awe as I recall the trip.  To consider that a single stream of water carved through millennia created such a wonder of nature is astounding.  The horizontal layers of varying colored solid rock produce colorful effects that must certainly change with the seasons.  The spectacle presented was worth struggling with crowds for that perfect photographic spot. 

As if the magnificence of the canyon weren't enough to captivate us, we were further entertained by tribal dance performances from Hopi youth.   Their participation in cultural programs grounds them to their rich and diverse heritage.

 

Perhaps the timing of my visit didn't coincide with  the preferred "golden hours" for photography but capturing an image of the endangered California Condor certainly compensated for the harsh sunlight.  We left with plenty of memories and the promise to return again soon.