Travel Log: The Grand Canyon

After four great days in Phoenix it was time to travel north toward the scenic views of Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Neither Zach nor I had ever been to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, so we were ready to go into the great wide open.

Sedona, AZ

After driving through the brilliant scenery from Phoenix to Sedona we stopped at the Red Rock Cafe for a light lunch. 

Originally, the plan was to drive through Sedona, but Zach’s Aunt
Margie convinced us to stop and hunt for the famed energy vortexes.

We started at Bell Rock, said to be one of the strongest vortexes. The beginning of the climb was uneventful, but about halfway up the base of the rock, my hands and feet started to tingle (also a side effect of Lyme, but this was different). I felt a surge of energy and was able to keep climbing.

We started at Bell Rock, said to be one of the strongest vortexes. The beginning of the climb was uneventful, but about halfway up the base of the rock, my hands and feet started to tingle (also a side effect of Lyme, but this was different). I felt a surge of energy and was able to keep climbing.​

​We found "Meditation Rock" and I sat quietly to soak up the view.

Despite the energy from the vortex, the climb eventually became too challenging (and potentially dangerous), so we turned around and hiked down the hill.

But I wanted to experience the feeling again, so we decided to go to the Airport Vortex.

The Airport Vortex is where we saw the most twisted tree, said to grow that way because of the energy.

​Again, halfway up the climb I felt a surge of energy. This time I really did feel invincible. We sat on top of the butte and looked out over Sedona. We were about a hundred feet in the air, but I wasn’t the least bit scared.

The view from the Airport Vortex was breathtaking and the clouds seemed to be being sucked into the energy of Bell Rock. 

​We drove from Sedona to the Grand Canyon area and checked into our hotel. We drove out the the canyon with enough time to glimpse at it before the sun set.

There was a flood of people to the restaurants from the lookout points, so we ended up grabbing appetizers at a bar and going back the hotel.  
The short glimpse at the canyon, made us excited for the day ahead.

The Grand Canyon, AZ

We woke up bright and early on a crisp early spring Arizona morning. We made to the Canyon and found a place to park. The elk were grazing in the grassy patches of the parking lot, not phased by the hundreds of people pouring into the park.

We ate breakfast and started our hike. The plan was to hike the Kaibab trail. The park ranger told us it was one of the easier descents into the canyon with some of the most spectacular views. He was half right.

The views were spectacular, but it was not an easy hike. Going down into the canyon there were areas where we were (in my opinion) dangerously close to the edge. We slipped many times on the gravel path. But it was completely worth it.

​We made it to "Ooh Aah Point," about three quarters of a mile into the canyon. ​Ooh Aah Point was our original goal, but we wanted to keep going. We made it about another half mile, until the path got a little too treacherous for me. The climb up was difficult and I had to take many breaks, but it was truly a spectacular experience.

From there we needed some sustenance and a small break, so we ate at the Market Plaza Deli.

Then we took the bus all the way to Hermit's rest, the farthest point of the south ridge of the canyon. We got out along the way to take pictures of different views.

We stayed though sunset and watched the light cut across the canyon. The clouds were not as brilliant as I've seen in pictures, but there really are no words for experiencing the Grand Canyon for the first time.

Bearizona

On the way back to Phoenix before our departure we stopped along the way at Bearizona Wildlife Park. I was enticed by the opportunity to drive through paddocks of animals with no fences.

We saw Mountain Goats: 

​Baby Black Bears: 

A Baby White Buffalo: 

Black Bears: 

Donkeys: 

And a buffalo covered in grass: 

​All the animals were rescued and not able to live in the wild. I liked that they had plenty of space to roam around. 

After Bearizona, we returned to Phoenix and spent time with Zach's aunt until our flight. 

It's a trip I will cherish for the rest of my life. There is only one "first time" you see the Grand Canyon. 

"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling." - Margaret Lee