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Tour Descriptions & Reservations
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South Rim Bus Tour
I'm not sure how long I stood there gazing into the expanse - 10 miles across to the North Rim side and one mile down to the winding Colorado River below. The depth, the colors, the multitude of geological formations and the shadows of passing clouds were more than I'd ever experienced as I stood there spell bound. A rock squirrel scampering along the edge of the precipice caught my attention. She was obviously at home here. Yet I felt so small. My awards and trophies back home seemed meaningless as I stood there spellbound, realizing that all that I had previously considered big, now seemed so small. Oh that I had come here when I was younger, I'd probably have approached life so much differently. I turned to the right and watched the faces of the others taking in all they could of this experience, while some appeared spellbound, going through some sort of internal growth and healing as they absorbed the majesty and grandeur of the canyon. Some seemed to respond differently; while I was being humbled, others seemed empowered. I stepped to the side to make room for others and to listen to a couple that appeared empowered. "I see it now, Marge, if I design the curvature of our new sidewalk to appear like the winding Colorado, our garden will seem more natural," said the man to his wife. She responded, "Yes, and if we don't use so many straight lines along the borders of the flowers, it will be much more peaceful too." They hugged each other and continued gazing, "I'm so glad we make it a point to come here every three years", she said. I followed their gaze, yet as a first time visitor, could not help but realize that the 'big shot' back in our New Jersey neighborhood was puny me at the canyon. I gazed far and deep, storing the images in my mind's eye. I was determined that I too would grow strong by this experience at the canyon. I wondered what else God would teach me through this canyon experience. "Look how nice it came our," said my wife, Betty, as she shoved the digital camera into view so I could see the photo she took of me gazing into the canyon. "That's a keeper," I told her; "The start of something new." She took my hand and we walked back to join our group on the tour bus. As we waited for the others to join us, I piped up, "Anybody know if there's any significance to the green patches of trees near the Colorado River?" "O, yes, those are cottonwood trees at Phantom Ranch. My grandfather stayed in a cabin there years ago and loved it!" offered a woman near us. "Hmmm, it seems like an opportunity for a future canyon experience," I said to myself.
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South
Rim Bus Tour
After
a brief stop at the visitor center, we headed for Mather Point. The
point is named after Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the
National Park Service. As I came a paved path toward the lookout point,
scrub growth pines and bushes obstructed my view until I saw it, The
Canyon. It was most certainly grand. Beyond Explanation through word
or picture, I can't describe the sense of awe that overcame me. I
knew I was not alone for above the drone of courteous whispers, I
could hear gasps of awe as others experienced the canyon too.