We're back...safe and sound...

Praise the Lord! We had a lovely weekend at the Grand Canyon. God provided us with many happy memories there and safe traveling back and forth.

Our trip started out only 15 minutes later than planned and although we had a few unexpected stops along the way, we made it in time to check into our rooms and eat a delicious Thanksgiving dinner buffet just outside the Grand Canyon Park. Judging by the number of pictures we took in the lobby, rooms, etc... I think that Nazgul was impressed by American hotels. I do believe it was her first experience staying in one. Friday morning we met around 8:30 at the rim--my grandfather and brother stayed in a different hotel than the rest of us because we got his room later. We walked around the village and took pictures for about an hour and then headed out to do some exploring. After waiting for about a half of an hour for the free shuttle service--the only way to travel along the rim now--we were off. The shuttle travels long an 8 miles stretch of the rim and stops at various points where you can get off and take pictures and look at various monuments, historical markers, etc... We only stopped twice because each time you get off you have to wait another 15 min. for the next bus and hope there is room. I would have preferred walking the whole way myself, but deferred to others who couldn't or didn't want too. After eating our sack lunches, we decided to split up. My grandfather, mom and brother Brent stayed in the lodge while Dad, Ryan, Nazgul and I took a short hike down the canyon. I was beautiful and not as hard as I thought. I guess it helped that it was not very sunny or hot. I think we went about 2 miles down in about 45 minutes, and then turned around assuming that it would take us longer to come back. When we got to the top and checked the time we were surprised to discover that our time back up was faster than the trip down. My dad and I agreed that down was a lot harder on our knees and feet, although we got hotter on the way up. I was very impressed that Nazgul kept up with us. For one thing, she is quite a bit shorter, and also not as used to such physical activities. On the way out of the park we stopped at the desert view tower just as the sun was beginning to set and got some of our best pictures of the canyon. Unfortunately, it was overcast all day, so most of our pictures don't capture the vivid colors of the canyon. However, I will try to post some in the near future.

We spent Friday night in Flagstaff, AZ and woke up Saturday morning to a chilly 22 degrees and thick frost on our car. However, by the time we got to Phoenix to drop off Nazgul with Karen and her relatives, it was back up to 70 degrees. (Nazgul and Karen are staying in AZ until this Wednesday.)  The rest of the trip was quite uneventful. We arrived home around 5:00 last night--just in time for my brothers to watch the USC game and for me to prepare for the junior choir program tonight. We enjoyed a relaxing evening with just our family--something that hasn't happened since September.

 

 

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