You cannot do justice to the scenery with words or photos. Perhaps an Imax movie can get close but this is something you really have to see for yourself. We started at the east rim just a few minutes before sunrise. Dark skies slowly became different shades of purple pink white and red and kept changing little by little as the earth rotated toward the sun. The cliffs plateaus and deep crevices kept changing too from grey and black to white, red, orange, and purple. It is more incredible than you can imagine.

 After regaining our composure we drove about 25 miles along the rim to Mather point where we met up with our traveling companions who had come in the south rim entrance a little later than us. They went off to take a helicopter tour and my wife and I went to park in the village because we wanted to stop at all the views along the free bus route. I think I took about 80 pictures. I was able to download my memory card onto a CD. There's a Kodak machine at the General Store. The download and the CD were under $5 total for both. I got great shots of the California Condors in flight which I hope to share on this website as soon as I can figure out how to upload them. Anyhow, we went all the way to Hermit's Rest which has a very interesting history. I will be back to the Grand Canyon someday soon to camp on the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

We took a tour to the Grand Canyon. We thought this was the best way to see the canyon in a day.

The first stop is the South Rim. There is no wait at the gate, as it is winter. The guide told us that in the summer months you can wait over 1 hour to get to the South Gate. We pull into the parking lot for our first glimpse of the canyon, and I am surprised by the landscape. It is very flat, without many trees. You walk along a path and there it is, the Grand Canyon. The size is astounding. The beauty is magnificent. In this area is the famous Bright Angle Trail. This is the trail where mules take you down into the canyon, or you can hike. At the bottom is Phantom Ranch for those who will stay overnight. No picture can do the canyon justice. You must see it for yourself.

Out next stop was Grand Canyon Village. This historical site was where the first steam engine rolled in with visitors at the Sante Fe Railway Station. You can stay at the famous El Tavor Hotel, where every president has stayed since it was built, except for George W. We had lunch in their main dinning room overlooking the canyon. I could only imagine how beautiful it would look at sunset. Another landmark is the Hopi House, designed by Mary Colter. This building was designed after your typical Pueblo building in the Old Oraibi. The Hopi House now serves as a souvenir shop. A number of other historic buildings are spread over this area: Kolb Studio, Lookout Studio, Red Horse Station, Buckey O’Neil Cabin, and Bright Angel Lodge.

Our final stop at the canyon is the East Rim. Personally, I think this is the most spectacular. This is the only area where you have a great view of the Colorado River. You can climb Lookout Studio. This is another building designed by Mary Colter, the same architect who designed the Hopi House. I think you climb 90 steps to the top to get a magnificent view of the canyon. At the base of the building, check out the souvenir shop and you will see Grandma (Navajo Indian) weaving her blankets. If you plan on taking her picture, please remember to tip her.

Next stop is Cameron. We drove through Painted Desert into Cameron, the Navajo Indian Reservation. About 300,000 Native Americans live on the desolate land. It is very sad to see the very poor living conditions these great people are forced to live with. Some Indians have no running water, so they carry large barrels on the back of their truck and run into town to fill up for the week. Do not miss the museum, filled with great artifacts dating back to the 1800s. The sun is setting and the desert changing into beautiful colors.

Don't go to northern Arizona without visiting the Grand Canyon. It's nothing like the pictures - it's better. We went on a tour with Grand Canyon Tours arranged by our resort, Sedona Pines. It cost $99 per person. We got to see 22 miles of the 277 miles of the canyon. We were planning to take a plane or helicopter ride through the canyon, but learned they can no longer fly down into the canyon.

We took a guided tour in large van to Grand Canyon with an expert guide and went through Oak Canyon and up to the northern rim to start. This allowed for us to walk along the rim (not dangerous) and experience all the beauty of this natural wonder. The van was at the other end to pick us up. The guide shared many stories and his geological expertise along the way.

I wasn't as awestruck as I had imagined I would be, although it was amazing. I have a little bit of a height issue, and there are a lot of unprotected edges, so beware. I hyperventilated a bit when my husband tried to get my kids on the edge for a picture!
We drove up while my mother and her fiancé took the bus trip. My mother has limited mobility so this was great for her.
We drove into the Grand Canyon on the south rim and exited via the east rim, stopping at Cameron Trading post. If you take the train in, do the more western side of Grand Canyon first, as no cars are allowed and it is a long ride out and back on the trolley, with limited stops. If you start later, they can't guarantee you will make it back to catch your train home. We had a lot of people getting off due to this warning, and they didn't get to see these spots.
I recommend stopping at the watchtower on your way east. A nice view of the canyon and the watchtower is interesting. The inside is decorated like there are petroglyphs on the walls. You can walk all the way up to the top, where there is an observation area. Partway up, there is an outside area where you can get great views of the canyon.
There are a couple gift shops here as well, one right in the watchtower. There are also public restrooms.