Day 5 Recap
I spent the day in awe at Grand Canyon National Park. Words cannot describe its beauty. I walked and took shuttle bus connections between most of the lookouts on the South Rim. Some interesting facts about Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon is the proper name. It is not The Grand Canyon as almost everyone calls it. The North Rim closes due to snow-blocked roads in mid-October and doesn't reopen until mid-May every year. The North Rim sits at a lofty 8000 feet, while the South Rim is roughly 7000 feet above sea level. The air is very thin at that height and for anyone not used to it, any activity can be strenuous.

The park literature stressed keeping hydrated, eating snacks and resting often. It doesn?t take long to realize that they know what they?re talking about. Just walking at anything above a normal pace will leave you winded. And for someone who walks fast out of habit, you won?t last very long. Needless to say, Grand Canyon slows you down. Out of sheer awe at the scenery, and because you just can?t go too fast. You run out of breath.

I'm only posting two pictures. I took many more but there isn't room for them here.

This is a taste of Grand Canyon's beauty.

This squirrel was definitely not camera shy. He posed for a few pictures, but this is my favorite.

The weather wasn?t the best in the world Tuesday. The high for Grand Canyon?s South Rim was 51 degrees. There was a persistent drizzling rain most of the day, with a couple of serious showers that lasted about five to ten minutes each. But that didn?t stop me. The sun did show itself a few times, and I was able to get some great pictures. The weather prevented a visible sunset, but there is always next time.

I want to go back, because I saw only a small part of what is there. There is still the North Rim and the bottom of the canyon, as well as numerous trails. Maybe I can return. I hope to.

Wednesday I head east. I hope to get well into New Mexico before stopping. But not before driving a part of Route 66 in Arizona and making a special stop in Winslow.

Miles since rental: 907.1