One of our vacation days was spent venturing into Arizona. We took a day trip to the Hoover Dam/Grand Canyon, and it was SO COMPLETELY WORTH IT!!!
We didn't want to rent a car, and big, bus tours didn't seem like they would be very efficient, so we decided to take the walking tour that was offered by Grand Adventure Tours. Our day started EARLY--6:20am. Yep, we voluntarily got up at daylight during our vacation!!!
Our first stop was Hoover Dam. Alex & Robin (our driver/guide) gave us great stories & details about the dam, like the fact that the concrete in the dam won't be completely cured for another 400+ years. We viewed the dam from the newly-finished bypass bridge, and it was a sight to see for sure! To think they completed the dam with the technology of the 1930s is absolutely mind-boggling!!!
Our next sight-seeing stop was in Seligman, AZ, along Route 66. It was a cute little town that is completely capitalizing on the daydreams of Americana and "the good-old days." It is also the town that inspired the Pixar movie Cars, and it was fun seeing Tow Mater while we were there!
A couple of hours after Seligman, we finally got to the Grand Canyon, and stopped at the Bright Angel Lodge. The canyon is indeed a GRAND sight! It is absolutely beautiful, but I almost didn't get to see it. Our hike started at the Bright Angel Trail and followed the South Rim of the Canyon. I am NOT a fan of heights, and I was SHOCKED to find that there were no rails. Honestly, when we stepped onto the trail, the only thing separating us from the EDGE OF THE WORLD was a line of 4" high rocks; needless to say, I was not comforted by this. The trail was about 4ft wide, and foot traffic was moving both ways, and at one point, we had to turn sideways to pass the oncoming hikers, and this almost did me in! Duane (not a fan of heights himself) was a real trooper and came back to me and pulled me through the precarious spots. He was even brave enough to venture closer to the edge and got some GREAT shots of the Canyon. Fortunately, that was the worst of the terror spots; the majority of the trail was paved (and had those super safe 4" walls to protect the hikers!), and the lookout spots were finished with rails. We picnicked along the trail, and had some of the best views our eyes have ever seen! My anxiety level aside, it was BREATHTAKING (literally--7,000 feet in elevation!) and BEAUTIFUL! I'm glad that Duane talked me out of turning back; that is something I would've regretted forever! And, did I mention that the canyon was absolutely beautiful?
Our journey back was considerably shorter without the sightseeing stops. We passed through the Mohave desert and the Black Canyon right at sunset and arrived back at our hotel at about 9:00pm. It was a long day, filled with new experiences that are truly a treasure!
