Saturday, July 19, 2008

MONDAY - Grand Canyon

Today we experienced one of the true wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. To come upon this massive, huge, phenomenal gorge is literally breath-taking. The scale of it all is almost too much to take in, so you just sit and look ... and look ... and look.

We arrived at the Canyon in later morning after a smooth and lovely drive from Sedona. We continued to see how diverse the Arizona climate and topography really is: we went from desert at about 4000 ft up through a national forest, then across grasslands at almost 6000 ft elevation. The climate changed as well, and the weather at the Canyon was more typical of an Ottawa summer day than a Phoenix one. We should be so lucky.

The Canyon is a major draw for tourists from around the world, and many languages could be heard along the crowded paths. We walked along the edge (some of us closer than others!) and took in the view. Unfortunately, many of us were feeling tired from the previous days' hikes and so we contented ourselves with driving along the south rim of the canyon and stopping at various lookouts along the way. Each offered its own unique panorama. Here's a sample:















The award for best photo of the pilgrimage goes to Koley Freeman, whose timing was just right to get this shot of lightning hitting the ground.

5 comments:

Beth and Jerry said...

it is such a delight to read of your experiences and accomplishments. Too awesome for words (like the grand canyon)!
love to you all,
Alyson and Andrea

Linda Stengel and Melissa said...

Hi again everyone,

Who managed to snap the photo of the lightening right at the right moment? It is awesome. I keep hearing that word in everyone's comments, but everything you are sending back via this blog really is awesome. Josh - nice to see you still have Melissa's camera, and hopefully are using it.

To all of you - what a blessing you all are to our First United family.

Linda and Melissa

chorister said...

What a thrill to read your accounts of daily activities and reflections, and to view the fabulous collection of photos. Through your blog you offer us the privilege of sharing in some of the glory and mystery of your adventures. It takes my breath away -- especially those mid-air flights to water!! Hah!
Blessings,
Ellen

Doug said...

Man what a trip! What awesome scenery! What a bunch of lucky teenage pilgrims! I was was a little nervous about the shot of Emily standing out on that narrow precipice taking a picture. She's got my camera there ya know.
This trip puts me in mind of when I was thumbing through the area in '84. The desert had been particularly hot that day... blah, blah, blah.
I was happy to see that Murray got a bath in the mud-hole last Friday. Please make sure he gets another before his return.
I'm looking forward to the Friday night prayer vigil for you pilgrims.

May God shower you in fun (and some rain),
Doug

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