The Grand Canyon

Last Oct 14 & 15, we were at the South Rim of Grand Canyon. We braved the 5-hr drive to Arizona on the 14th around 10:30AM. Take note that it was a Sunday and I was working the night before so I really don't have any sleep at all but I was able to drive up to our destination. How did I do it?? I boosted myself with coffee and Red Bull energy drink. A friend of mine told me to chew some gum while taking long drives but I forgot about it. The last time that I drove to Los Angeles, chewing gum helped me to be alert and awake all throughout the 3-hr drive.

We arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon around 3:00PM and we immediately went to our lodge to put our things and have our late lunch. After eating we start setting out to the rim. Maswik Lodge, where we stayed, is just about 1/4 mile from the canyon's rim, just a short walking distance. We took a free shuttle ride to bring us along the rim to some lookout points. We ended up at Hopi Point which our guide said that its the best place to view the canyon as well as watch the sunset. Looking at the canyon, you'll be amazed how powerful nature is. It was scientifically explained that water erosion brought by the Colorado River thousands of years back contributed much of the magnificent canyon rock formation and crevasses. With the sun setting, it brought bright orange colors and dramatic shadows all throughout various contours and shapes of the canyon. Finally as the sun was setting, a crescent moon rose in the sky casting faint light throughout the canyon and casting ghostly shapes on the horizon.

We came to the Grand Canyon well prepared, I've checked the weather specifically at South Rim, book our lodging in advance online. We had our jackets/sweaters on as it was so cold specially towards the evening. It was running at 60degF, kind of normal winter temperatures in Las Vegas. Since we got only two days, we were not able to take the mule ride and do some trekking along the canyon's edge. We did some shopping for some souvenirs before we head out for home.

The 5 hours of driving to Arizona as well as another 5 hours in going back to Las Vegas was actually worth the time after you see the grandeur that is the Grand Canyon.

Checkout a slideshow of the sun setting as viewed from the South Rim of The Grand Canyon at the bottom of this page.