der Grand Canyon (Blog for 8/27/12)

"There are a lot of German people here," I said to Sam as we walked through Juniper Circle, the campground we were assigned. 

She nodded to me.

"No, but, seriously, is the whole country of Germany here on vacation?" I asked.

She shrugged.  It was early, so conversation was pretty limited. 

Generally, I don't hear much of the language I chose to study in high school.  The most I hear is in World War II movies.  Once, when I was visiting New York, I heard quite a few Germans talking, and even helped a nice older German couple navigate the subway, but mostly I just hear Spanish.  Or, on this trip, French and Italian.  It amazes me how many visitors we have from all over the world, and it always makes me a little jealous, as I have only been to Canada and Mexico.

A half hour later, when we arrived at the Visitor Center, Sam made the same comment.

"Oh, wow.  Where are all the Americans? There are conversations from all over, but not many are in English."

I laughed, "Well, the Americans have to worry about school starting... er... all of America except Wisconsin."

I nudged her, and she smiled. 

"Let's go see this thing."

Yes, indeed, that is a giant canyon behind us.

We followed the crowds until we saw the canyon open up in front of us.  There are no words to describe how the Grand Canyon looks, just as there are no pictures that can show you its grandness, and no painting that can convey it's beauty.  To experience it is the only way to understand, and even then... it's hard to grasp the extensive view and all that this land formation represents.

We walked along the rim for a bit, until we were tired of the crowds, and then we made our way to the trail we picked out:  South Kaibab.

Sam, looking out at the Grand Canyon.

The description made it seem like the best option for a couple of travellers just passing through and the pamphlet that you get when you enter the park fails to note the difficulty of the trail.  Let me give you a hint... the difficulty is:  Difficult.

The hike down the canyon wall was not horrible... you know, 'cause gravity is your best friend at that point.  And the views from the path as well as Ooh Ahh Point were spectacular.  Along the way we let the mule tour pass... they left us lovely fragrant bread crumbs to help us find the way back... when you are exhausted and trying to climb back up a canyon wall, these gifts are annoying to avoid while trying to regulate your breathing. 

After arriving at Ooh Ahh Point, we talked about turning back, but decided to continue to Ceder Ridge, and the view from there was even better, which made some of the climb back up to the top of the canyon worth it... maybe all of it, but I am too tired to remember.

The Grand Canyon is massive, so massive that it is impossible to say you visited even when you accomplish a difficult hike, like the one we did.  In the end, it was only three miles of walking, but it took us four hours to complete.  Samantha, like a trooper, hiked and hiked and hiked back up, slow and steady even through the times she thought were the worst. 

I loved every minute of our hike through this beautiful monument, the views and the great respect you have for the landscape and those creatures that inhabit it, but more than that, I am incredibly proud of Sam for completing such a difficult trail with great determination and an amazing strength of will. 

When we got back to the Visitor's Center, we each bought a trailhead pin for the South Kaibab Trail as a token badge of honor.  We also decided to go watch the twenty minute film on the Grand Canyon in order to take a short nap before heading back to the campsite.

Campfire and sleep are our rewards tonight.  Tomorrow, we're back on the road.  I'm sure Gilbert is elked out.

S'more... mmmmm