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"AWESOME!!!" a Grand Canyon Travel Page by johngayton

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"AWESOME!!!" a Grand Canyon Travel Page by johngayton

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johngayton   
The Slow Lane Usually Gets You There Quicker!


Real Name: John The Chef
Lives In: Appledore, UK
Member Since: Jun 25, 2005
VT Rank: 152

 

Page Views: 678            Last Visit to Grand Canyon: May, 2006      

AWESOME!!!

by johngayton - last update: May 27, 2006

An oft misused word but not this time.

A paltry attempt to capture the uncapturable.
During my 3 months in the US I have heard the word "Awesome" used in all sorts of situations - "an awesome pass", during a football game, "an awesome meal", "an awesome body"............etc. etc. But using this word in connection with The Grand Canyon is definitely one of the few correct usages of such a superlative. The Grand Canyon is just that: "AWESOME!!".

The first sight proper of the canyon, coming upon it from where The Watchtower is situated, literally took my breath away - "WOW!" as I exhale the full contents of both my lungs and take about 30 seconds before I can recover enough to inhale again. The sight has me transfixed for several minutes, just allowing the brain to start to cope with the immensity of the panorama, before I can even contemplate reaching for my camera. Looking through the viewfinder, I realise that there is no way that any picture I can take will even approach doing justice to the place, no way whatsoever.

No matter what you read about The Grand Canyon, no matter how many pictures you see, the television documentaries, the magazine articles: whatever the medium, NOTHING can prepare you for that first impression on standing at the edge looking 1 mile down and 10 across with its length winding as far as the eye can see in both directions.
NPS Info Poster

North Rim or South Rim?

The North and South rims offer different perspectives of The Grand Canyon. The North's views are more horizontal, whilst the views from the South allow you to see all the way down to the Colorado river at the bottom.

Temperatures on the North rim are generally cooler than the South because it is slightly higher and more exposed. In winter the North rim roads are closed off from November to May and there are no visitor facilities in late fall either (during which the roads are subject to closure at short notice).

The South Rim is by far the more popular and is open 365 days a year including holidays and has excellent facilities all year including camping and lodging, restaurants, shops and even ATM facilities.

Car parking is available in several locations between Mather Point and Hermits Rest Transit Point and the area is serviced by free shuttle busses covering three routes: The Village Route, Hermits Rest and The Kaibab Trail and busses can be boarded or disembarked freely at the stops on the routes - see transportation tip.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Scale and Beauty Combined"
Cons:"Too Big!"
In A Nutshell:"If you visit nowhere else in the US, make this a must."
johngayton's Grand Canyon Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 1 - Photos: 3
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
Transportation
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

johngayton's Grand Canyon Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Pictures Without Words #1May, 2006 8
Pictures Without Words #2May, 2006 8
Pictures Without Words #3May, 2006 8

Comments for johngayton about Grand Canyon
rexvaughan Thu Nov 13, 2008 20:08 UTC
 You are right on all counts about the word awesome, John. When my 10-year old grandson saw it he said it looked like a mirage. How to tell others about it? He said you just have to see it.
Ginnylynn Sun Mar 2, 2008 00:53 UTC
 John: Really enjoyed your good comments and helpful tips. We leave for the Grand Canyon March 5th, also taking the train from Williams, AZ. Looking forward to get some good pictures. My folks got great pictures of the Canyon in 1935! Thanks from, Ginny
Ina22Marina Mon Dec 3, 2007 01:48 UTC
 The Hopi Weaving Loom, John, looks very much like what I told you my grand father built once. Inache, nota zeche on the intro page, Marina ;-))
EllenH Tue Jul 3, 2007 01:50 UTC
 Ya know I worked here when I was 21. Lived in Colter Hall actually. Bright angel was one of our favorite watering holes. And yes people do fall in, but they do not advertise that much.
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