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Magnificent.
Awesome. Breathtaking. Enormous. Gobsmacking. Mother Nature has really outdone
herself this time.
We have
arrived at Grand Canyon National Park.The depth of the canyon, the endless reaches
of it, the beautiful red and green tinges of the rocks – all of these things
interact to provide us with amazing view after amazing view. It is just so hard
to find words and snap photos that do credit to this geography.
Our first
views of the canyon are from the Lookout Studio designed by the talented and
imaginative Mary Colter in about 1914. It was modelled on the stone buildings
of the Southwest Pueblo Indians and decorated with Native American-type
drawings.
The Grand Canyon
has been depicted countless times in just about every tourist brochure,
advertisement and description of the United States. One would almost think that
this is the only place worth visiting on the North American continent. Well, it
certainly is pretty impressive and I can’t think of anywhere else I have seen
in any of the more than 40 countries I have visited that is similar to this
unique geological wonder.
But somehow
it feels to us like the Grand Canyon has been overexposed. In addition, the number
of tourists milling about is pretty high and we are not even here in the peak
season. The element of surprise and wonder is perhaps not as overwhelming as it
might have been. But no matter what, the Grand Canyon is astounding and huge. The
Colorado River has cut a gorge that is 446 km long, 1.6 km deep and an average
of 16 km wide. The power of water erosion is amazing.
Although it
is mostly rock, the area is not completely bereft of life. There are 90 species
of mammals (including mountain lions), more than 362 species of birds and 1750
species of plants that make this national park their home. We see mighty eagles
and condors soaring on the updrifts. We spot woodpeckers, goose vultures and
pretty blue Pinyon jays. Squirrels are ubiquitous, darting about, chattering
away. A lizard blends into the shade. We hike here and there, drinking in the
views. In the evening we treat ourselves to a delicious luxury dinner in the
classy El Tovar dining room.
