Las Vegas 101
My Las Vegas tour was a bit different than most people’s experience in Las Vegas. I spent a few days in the city, and for me, that was more that enough. I did some cool things [Area 51, the Las Vegas 51’s, Stripper 101 and Bite], but I was ready to get the h*** out of Dodge. After searching for a bit, I found an awesome deal on a rental car, and got out of town. I made to Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, drove on Route 66, saw Hoover Dam, and made my way to the majestic Grand Canyon. [Grand Canyon posts coming up soon]
Side trip to the Grand Canyon
At first I was iffy about visiting the Grand Canyon. It was further than I wanted to drive, but I found a open spot in a group hike and said what the hell? It’s not as if the Grand Canyon is in my backyard. And so, like with most things in life, a spontaneous hike was in my immediate future. And a trip to the gear rental shop because although I had my sleeping bag and hiking boots, I did not think to bring a tent, sleeping pad, water storage, or other hiking essentials.
My first thought was the Grand Canyon was just another hole in the ground. After all, I’ve been to Cloudland Canyon in Georgia, Colca Canyon in Peru, and Copper Canyon in Mexico. Why did I need to see yet another hole in the ground; but the Grand Canyon is more than just a hole in the ground. It’s other worldly. It is so different from other part of the US. It’s almost as if I have to ask myself where am I?
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved out by the Colorado River and its tributaries which cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. Recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago.
Surrounding me is barren, red landscape stretching out as far as my eyes can scan; random alien-like rock formations are peppered throughout and clay colored mountains are in the distance. There are no trees, instead green bushes pop up and vie for my attention as if they are begging for liquid attention among this dry landscape. It looks like no one lives here… nature is king of this land. I look at the asphalt road ahead of us stretching into horizon and wonder how this land remained so untouched.
More about the Grand Canyon
Notes and Tips About the Grand Canyon:
- The Grand Canyon is in the northwest corner of Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and Nevada. It’s not really near anything else.
- The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide, and over a mile deep (6,000 feet/1,800 metres)
- Most of the canyon is within the Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon NP became a national park in 1919.
- The Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site and encompasses 1,218,375 acres.
- Scenery, climate and vegetation vary between north and south rims because of different elevations. Forests are found at higher elevations while the lower elevations are comprised of a series of desert basins.
- Grand Canyon National Park attracts about five million visitors per year [and most of them visit the South Rim and don’t stay very long].
- Not to state the obvious, but during the summer, it gets incredibly hot in the canyon. If you want to hike in the summer, get up early. Start hiking early. People have gotten died from heat stroke while hiking in the summer in the canyon.
- Wear appropriate clothing for the time of year, including hats when necessary.
- Wear footwear that is comfortable and sturdy with good grip.
- Don’t hike alone. Know what your destination will be and how to get there.
- Know where water is available. Carry enough of your own water and food for energy.
- Get the weather forecast.
- Choose an appropriate hike. Know your abilities. Know your limits. For the love of all that is holy, please know your limits.
In 1903, before it became a National Park, in fact before the National Park System was created, President Roosevelt visited in 1903 and exclaimed:
“The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world. Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. Do nothing to mar its grandeur, sublimity and loveliness. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is to keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.”
That is the amazing Grand Canyon… It makes you feel as if you are in another world.
Leaving Las Vegas by Sheryl Crowe is an obvious inspirational post related song.
