We drove across Nevada into Arizona to visit the spectacular Grand Canyon National Park. Exposing nearly 2 billion years of history in its formation, this breathtaking natural environment was more beautiful in real life than expected. We initially visited the popular South Rim, which is open year-round and packed with historic buildings surrounding the Grand Canyon Village. While it felt like a tourist trail, we were so pleased to be here. We have been back several times.

You are only a Grand Canyon hiker if you have plunged from rim to river and back again. Many hikers have hiked down the rim and returned the mules to the top. Just remember to take plenty of water. There will be severe weather changes as you go down. The top can be at 80; as you go down to the water, it can be 105 or more. This hike is not for the faint of heart. If that hike is too much, take it at your own pace and walk the South rim of the canyon; the shadows throughout the day gave the canyon a different site as the sun moved west. There are many gift shops to visit and food that is outstanding. There are book stores, that can keep you amazed and you will want to come back.

The ancient land surrounding the Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River, was known to have been first inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans.