Thursday, August 15, 2013

Finally....a trip to the Grand Canyon!


After many hours of driving, guzzling over a dozen water bottles, stopping every hour and half for a restroom break (I have an abnormally small bladder-at least that's what RM says), and noshing on protein bars - we finally arrived to the Grand Canyon!
 
 
We were on our way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, until we saw a sign directing us to the Grand Canyon Sky Walk - 2 hours less driving time that the South Rim!
 
 

I'm glad that our family was flexible enough to make that split second decision to go on the Grand Canyon Skywalk tour.  However, no matter what side of the Grand Canyon you're on - the view is spectacular.



 It is views like this that makes you understand why the
 Grand Canyon is listed as one of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World".
 



Note to self: Don't have your picture taken when your hair has been crushed under your hat.  At least we were able to get a picture of the Colorado river into this photo shot!



 

"My Boys"
 
 


We visited the Native American Hualapai reservation- only 2500 belong to the Hualapai tribe.



Here is a 10 year old boy performing a tribal dance while his father sang and played the drums.
 
 
 
This little girl stole the show.  She was too shy to dance, but loved waving to the audience. 
 
 


The only way to get to the Sky Walk is to be a part of a tour group.  The ticket prices are a lot pricier than if you visited the South Rim, but it was worth every penny!  As we got off the tour bus, many of the tourists stopped to take pictures before getting on the skywalk.
 
 
 
 
See that transparent horse-shoe shaped bridge suspended over the grand canyon? 
That's the one that we hope will not crumble once we're on it! 
 However,  the skywalk was built to withstand an 8.0 earthquake - that's a bigger scale than the earthquake that occurred in the bay area in 1989, which caused a part of the San Mateo bridge to collapse!
 
 
   
 
When you take your first steps on the Skywalk - it's intimidating.  When you see nothing below you  - you hope that the bridge you're on doesn't collapse or break!
 
  

The walkway can handle over 800 people weighing over 200 lbs without stressing the structure.   At the bottom left of the picture you can see a part of the canyon through the glass floor.
 
 
 

Moe attempted to lift me- it freaked the photographer more than it did me! (you'll notice that I'm wearing shoe coverings which is required for everyone to wear. It protects the glass)
 
 

The sky was clear. The view...majestic.
 
 

And the weather was perfect....only 98 degrees with a slight breeze.
 


We felt like we were on top of the world!
 
We were a little late in taking Moe to the Grand Canyon, but I have feeling he didn't mind one bit.  
 

 

1 comment:

Stephanie said...

Just a few hours up the road from me! Next time, come and say hi!