Why did it take me 40+ years to make it to the Grand Canyon?!
I guess I thought the Grand Canyon was a single, big canyon. In fact, it is a network of layered canyons sporting countless textures and colors that go on for as far as the eye can see and then some. The view from the visitor center alone was enough to justify the trip.
We did the scenic drive along the North Rim, stopping first at Point Imperial – the highest elevation in the park. This was just a vista opportunity, so we also had lunch here. For the record, I find it oddly enjoyable to turn the seats around and put the table in to convert the van into a lunchroom.
Then off to Cape Royal at the far eastern end of the North Rim Park. Here there were some easy “hikes” that also presented grand views of the canyon below.
Perhaps the highlight of the day, however, was the Cape Final hike. This was a 4.3 mile (round trip) hike that wasn’t technically challenging, although any long walk at the end of the day can feel like a lot. Our book said that this hike was all about the destination and that was not a lie.
No guardrails. That’s what struck me the most about this place…usually American parks have guardrails, warning signs, danger markers, and any other number of things to protect those among us who lack any good sense or self-preservation instinct. On this hike, however, we could quite literally walk to the edge of the precipice and look a mile down into the canyon below.
Part of the joy of traveling during a time when many others are afraid is that we have more space. There are fewer people around, and a large percent (but not all) are good about masking and distancing. These parks are made even that much more enjoyable by the space and privacy.
Vacation Days 