The Grand Canyon; A Pilgrimage

by Lana Gramlich
(Abita Springs, LA, USA)

Needing a vacation, I was watching a TV show about the Grand Canyon. I asked my husband if he'd ever been there (I had years ago, but my camera wasn't working at the time and I would never mind going back again!) When he said he hadn't, I told him I though it was the duty of every, able-bodied citizen of the U.S. to make the pilgrimage at some point in their life. He agreed and some months later, we drove there from our home in Louisiana.
We arrived well before sunrise, poorly dressed for the weather (42F and windy.) I shivered in my t-shirt and thin shorts, struggling with trembling hands to shoot the first hints of light beyond the horizon. Eventually we could bear it no longer and put on extra layers of warmer clothes.

By then the sun was over the horizon, bathing the magnificent landscape in that warm, orange-yellow light. My husband stood in silent awe at the canyon's edge as I walked here and there along the path, taking more photos. Eventually I joined him, just enjoying the beauty we'd driven so far to see.

One of the few, other people along the rim that morning came by to tell us about some elk up near Bright Angel Lodge, so we headed over for a look. I was particularly glad of the sight, as I'd been driving the last time we saw elk (in the distance,) and didn't manage to get any photos. This time the majestic beasts were RIGHT THERE, surrounded--at a respectful and safe distance--by all manner of shutterbugs. People inside Bright Angel Lodge had their faces pressed to the windows, watching the elk calmly grazing, completely tolerant of we tourists and our cameras.

We rode the shuttles from there, making sure we hit up all of the stops we could. We ended our tour at the Visitor's Center around 1pm, where we picked up some souvenirs and watched an informative and inspirational short film about the past, present and future of the Grand Canyon.
We left exhausted and well-satisfied. Now BOTH my husband and I have seen--and been awed by--the Grand Canyon.