A grand, Grand Canyon

Happy Friday everyone! Don’t you know it always is a happy day to reach Friday after a hectic week back from vacation. Speaking of vacation, I thought I would start my sight-seeing posts from our trip today since I am missing it a little bit. Also, the pictures are just too beautiful to keep to myself any longer. To get you all caught up, last week Eric and I (all by ourselves!! Our first vacation just us two since our honeymoon three years ago!) vacationed in Sedona, Arizona where we were able to soak up some rays, relax, and do some major sight-seeing. Our main day trip goal was the Grand Canyon, as neither of us had visited before. It was about two-ish hours north of us (a mighty pretty drive may I add) but the destination was too spectacular for words. So I will keep a minimum of words and stick to the pictures (which don’t even do its beauty and majesty justice).

Once you park there is a really nice visitor’s center that we stopped into. It gave us a great sense of the vastness of the Canyon.

The visitor’s center was great and all but we were itching to just see the Canyon already! Here was our first look.

So awe-inspiring and made us a bit giggly. Look at the excitement on our blown away (in both senses since it was the windiest day I have EVER experienced) faces.

Then it was time to hit the shuttle bus, which is a great service. It takes you from one hot spot to the next, making your trip very easy and all about the views.

Can you see the trail on the back canyon wall? That is the Bright Angel trail, one of the most famous trails that brings you all the way down to the Colorado River. That’s one intense hike! But it would be pretty awesome to do as well. Maybe next time. Or maybe a mule ride instead.

It was definitely a day filled with these moments. Of just standing, staring, and taking it all in, ogling at the power of Mother Nature.

It was thrilling to get glimpses of the Colorado River which carved out the Canyon. Kind of mind-blowing, right? Here is a view from where we were standing, just to give you some perspective.

While out there I definitely like to stick by places with railings or stay a safe distance from the edge. Then you see these types of people…

And these guys. One of them even tried to take a little nap. In my mind I went like this (WOOBGOBSJ*&*^$@?!) Then I walked away. So kind, right?!

The craziest (eh hem, sarcasm implied) moment I had was my Titanic “I’m king queen of the world!” moment. Classic.

We also had a fun time doing a few short hikes in between the lookout points instead of taking the shuttle.

After spending about four hours walking, shuttling, and drooling over viewing the park, Eric had one of his dreams come true: lunch in the famous Bright Angel lodge. There were many gleeful (and yummy) moments with a hint of nostalgia with these throwback menus, replicas from 1937.

With our tummies full and both mental and actual pictures taken, we gazed forlornly back at the Canyon and drove away, promising to each other to one day come back (and ride a mule).

PS – I promise to have fun décor/DIY projects next week as I have a few up my sleeve for this weekend. Thanks for the patience as I get settled back home from vaca and get geared up for home projects!