It’s been a year since we visited Grand Canyon National Park and I still find myself reflecting on my time there. Every beautiful place or National Park I go to inspires a word. For this park, the word was awe. It is hard to look at the landscape and not feel that sense of awe.
I reflect on my time at the park whenever I think of the power of having a go at a problem over a long period of time (as in this reflection). I also reflect on it when I think of energy associated with a place. Our family reflected on a mystic energy in the place – perhaps borne out of that sense of awe. It touched the spirit.
And perhaps there’s just something special about experiences that remind us of our insignificance. The Grand Canyon has thrived over millions of years – it inspires humility without trying to. And, most of all, it reminds me to do my best with the time I have, and to be kind – the world will roll on just fine without us.
PS: 3 tips if you’re planning a visit –
(1) As a general rule in every National Park, I recommend staying in lodges inside the park. The location is worth it. The lodges in the Grand Canyon are exceptionally good.
(2) If you travel in the summer like we did, it gets very hot in the afternoons. Ideally, you live like the wildlife (and while it isn’t talked about, we had some stunning experiences near Elk in the park) and spend time outdoors during dawn (4am-9am to catch sunrise) and dusk (4pm onward for sunset). It’s great to get indoors and catch a nap in the afternoon.
(3) Every viewpoint on both sides is beautiful – but some are much better than the others. Our favorites were Shoshone point (at the end of a hike – a ~2 mile round trip), Yavapai Point, and Pima Point (sunset). If we weren’t traveling with young kids, we’d have done the hike to Shoshone point for sunrise. Yavapai Point is a great alternative.
