Words and Light

• DAY 3 (Wednesday, March 25) — cont’d.

As soon as we arrived at the South Rim entrance (or, one of them) at the Grand Canyon National Park, I knew we were in for something. Of all the national parks we visited over spring break, the Grand Canyon was the most organized — dare I use “regimented”? — and similar to Disney World. It was also teeming with tourists, which was somewhat surprising to me.

“It’s March! It’s cold! Why are there people there?” I exclaimed when I saw the queues of cars and vans and all the people milling around.

Apparently, there are even more people in the summer.

We drove past the first viewpoint, where — even from the road — we could snatch fleeting glances of the Grand Canyon. When Jeff pointed it out, I looked out the car window for myself. Sure enough, beyond the parked cars and wandering visitors and short barricades, I caught my first glimpse of that big hole in the ground.

“OH MY GOD, IT’S HUGE!” was approximately my reaction.

We stopped at the third or fourth big viewpoint for a little bit. There, at the overlook/gift shop, I bought a postcard for my best friend since kindergarten. I also took photos and was even more blown away by how magnificent the Grand Canyon really is.

Part of the South Rim, taken from the first viewpoint we visited.

Then we stopped at a later viewpoint, where we began to take the Bright Angel trail, which is one of the most popular in the park and descends over 4,500 feet to the Colorado River. We didn’t even make it to the first rest station, which is about 1.5 miles down the trail, because of time constraints: We still had to drive to Panguitch, Utah, where we would stay the night.

View from the fifth or sixth switchback of the Bright Angel trail.

Looking toward Bright Angel Canyon.

At left: I think this photo was taken from Grandview Point along the South Rim. I might be wrong, though. At right: A watercolor I began at 4 a.m. on April 18, based on the photo.

This was certainly taken at Grandview Point.

Photos really can’t do the Grand Canyon justice. It’s something you just have to see for yourself.

Next time, though, I plan to go to the North Rim, where the views are said to be even better and the tourists are fewer.

• COMING NEXT: Utah, you so crazy.