So aptly named. What other adjective for a canyon bigger than the state of Delaware and the depth of a mile. We started out right by taking a shuttle bus that stops at several places along the rim for knockout views.

You could catch a bus every ten or fifteen minutes. We stop at four or five places and pray. Oh my god! One area was a tribute to John Wesley Powell who explored the canyon with nine men and three boats on the Colorado river in the 1880s. An incredible trip over innumerable rapids. Three men said this was madness and would walk the seventy miles to “civilization.” They were never heard from again. That very day Powell made it through the last rapids and was safe.

In and out of buses and all our walking set us up for a delicious hot chocolate. Of course you were not allowed to drink it in the building. Super care about no food or drink in buildings not restaurants. So we found a sunny rock to sit, to sip and watch the splendor.

A word here about the arrangement of tourist Grand Canyon. There are MANY places to visit. Welcome centers, Book shops, cafes, geology center, bars, restaurants, IMAX movie building, and more.

And they are all spread around. Far. And the parking lots are not close to the door. One must walk. I know it’s good for you. But it’s hard for me. Just sayin’. Even the restrooms were a crooked mile away. Away from everything. Even from the restaurants. I got way more than my fifteen minutes of walking today.

After a very nice lunch and a trip to the ladies around the block, we went to a movie. IMAX. Another WOW here. The Grand Canyon up close and personal. From a brief explanation of ancient sea and sediment 75 million years ago and wind and weather, here we are with more change occurring each day. Outstanding photography about Pueblo Indians carving homes in caves to a recreation of Powell’s fights with the river. And such magnificent scenery. I had been feeling sorry that I couldn’t walk down to river level. Now I have an idea of what it must be like. Grand indeed.

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