About a month ago, I asked my brother if he'd like me to visit him for Thanksgiving (since he's driven my way, shy of the very first winter, every time we've visited over the past 5 yrs!) After some back and forth (me visiting him, no that won't work; him visiting me- no that won't work; back to me visiting him-- quick hop in the car before we change our minds!!) I decided to make the 8 hr drive over Thanksgiving weekend. Thankfully, my internship applications were all turned in, which provided me with a bit of a breather, and I found myself with 5 Glorious Days (!!!) free from practicum/ school/ obligations/ etc. I loaded up my car (minus my laptop and anything resembling work!) and left the house around 7am Thanksgiving morning. Thankfully, I was able to cruise out of LA with no traffic, and made it to the Grand Canyon just in time to grab a plate of delicious dinner courtesy of my brother's friends. We spent the evening playing games (who knew that Apples to Apples was so much fun?!) and then headed back to his place to crash.... I was somewhat delirious from the long drive (and lack of oxygen!) and happily fell asleep early!
He had to work Friday morning (which gave me an excuse to lounge around and finish the novel I'd started the evening before!) and when it "warmed up" that afternoon, we headed up into the park and walked from Mather Point to the Bright Angel lodge (about 2 miles I think) and with the elevation, lack of oxygen, hills, and my sitting-in-a-chair-all-day-student-status, I was tired out! :) We treated ourselves to a hot chocolate, and sat outside listening to the park ranger discuss the California Condors that are protected in the park (did you know the wing span is over 9 feet- yikes!!).
We lounged around Saturday morning (too cold to go outside!) and in the afternoon, I decided to brave a (small) hike, and we went about 1 mile down the South Kaibab trail. My oh-so-wise tour-guide-brother informed me that although the Bright Angel trail is less steep, it's crowded with tourists, and doesn't have as impressive of a view (apparently you have to go 3 miles before there is anything "worth seeing"!). I definitely struggled on the switch backs back up to the parking lot, but the view was definitely worth it!! We also went to most of the viewpoints from Lipan Point to Hermit's Rest, and I was able to truly see (and notice) the ever-changing views--- nothing ever looked the same twice! I think that walking into the canyon really helped with this perspective- I'd highly recommend it! (and as I kept telling myself, if the little kids can make it back up the trail, so can I!)
The plan for Sunday was to accomplish my goal of seeing a sunrise & sunset on the same day... granted, the 16 degree temperatures threatened to make me give up on this idea, but instead I bundled up with all the clothes & blankets I could find, and we watched the sunrise on Grandview point. (I should also mention that my brother pushed my comfort level by getting me to walk "off trail" and climb around on the boulders etc. to get to the really great view spots... thankfully, none of the rocks broke and we didn't tumble into the canyon below!!)
Sunday also included an aerial tour of the canyon, and watching sunset (also at Grandview point). I found sunset to be more visually stunning than sunrise (although both were amazing) but; that may have had something to do with the "warm" temperature in the afternoon/early evening, as compared to at dawn!!
Oh, other highlights of the trip: accomplishing 4 items from my 101 in 1001 list, enjoying several cups of hot chocolate/coffee from the local gift shop (where my brother also sells some of his photography), watching 30+ elk cross the road, the colors of sunset at Grandview, the colors of sunrise as I left the canyon Monday morning, and of course- getting to spend the weekend hanging out with my brother!
Here are two maps of the park:
