Tuesday, December 02, 2008

The Grand Canyon

On February 14, 2006 (my wedding anniversary), my husband and I took a drive from his parents' house in Tucson, Arizona to The Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona. My husband was born and raised in Arizona, so he had seen The Grand Canyon. Although I lived in Tucson for two years, I had never ventured more than 100 miles from Tucson. Being a photography addict, of course I would want to photograph The Grand Canyon!

We drove approximately 350 miles to Tusayan, Arizona (just south of the park entrance) and checked into the Holiday Inn Express. Then we started driving towards the park. I was so excited to see The Grand Canyon. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. As we got closer to the rim of the canyon I caught a glimpse of it through the trees. My heart began to race. We parked and walked to the edge of the canyon. I remember standing there, looking at the immensity of the canyon with tears glistening in my eyes. The view was breathtaking. I took hundreds of photos.

We drove back to Tusayan where we watched an IMAX movie about how The Grand Canyon was found by explorers. After the movie, we walked outside and noticed that the sun was setting (see the photo titled "Sunset in Northern Arizona" under the post titled "Clouds."). I decided to drive back into the park to take some photos of the canyon at sunset. After taking a few hundred more photos, we went back into town and had a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant adjoining a hotel in Tusayan. I had bison for dinner. I don't recall what my husband had. During the dinner there were Native Americans performing traditional dances and playing music. It was an amazing day.

The next morning we drove up to the rim of the canyon so I could take more photos (of course). It was freezing cold with gusty winds and I was dressed in carpi pants (which are totally suitable for Southern Arizona weather in February, not so much for Northern Arizona weather!). I could hardly pull myself away. I took photo after photo even though my hands were numb from the cold. My husband had retreated to the car. He finally had to come and coerce me to get back in the car.

I will never forget that first glimpse of The Grand Canyon. That moment is forever etched in my memory. As a photography addict, I live for those moments when you are able to capture something so amazing with the lens of your camera. I want to share that moment with you.


The South Rim of The Grand Canyon

Red Canyon Walls

The Cliff's Edge

6 comments:

  1. Your photographs are breathtaking! The Grand Canyon looks like a photographer's dream!

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  2. The Grand Canyon photos bring back memories. The cliff wall nobody would understand unless they have been there. None of it can be captured as it really is. So awesome to be there. I posted my Grand Canyon photos in September.

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  3. Beautiful photos. I was there 2 years ago and also in Tuscon last New Years Eve. Arizona is a photographers dream alright.

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  4. Hello Melissa. :) You have some beautiful photos on your blog here. You have quite a talent!

    I just wanted to stop by and say hello and thank you for visiting my blog the other day and taking the time to leave a comment.

    Hope you have a great weekend! :D

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  5. Wonderful photos! I visited the Grand Canyon when I was about ten, and the only thing I can remember is my mom yelling "You're too close to the edge!" Thanks for sharing the pics.

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  6. Melissa, I really like the last photo, it shows the strata so plainly. Just think of the eons of water wearing that away. Amazing! Someday I hope to make that trip myself.

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