THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN ROAD TRIP
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SOUTH RIM
If you've never seen the Grand Canyon in person, words and pictures are not sufficient to portray what it feels like to stand on the very, very edge of this 1-MILE-deep, 18-MILE wide chasm. It's immense and majestic. And if you can get away from the mobs of tourists (which is quite easy to do, in fact), it delivers a sense of peace, wonder and awe.

This must be America's most internationally-visited national park. The chances that I would bump into and speak with a fellow American were slim. Temperatures were pretty cool, with highs in the low 60s. I was docked in the only campground with hookups in the park, which was very conveniently located near most of the attractions/services in the Village, and also most of the other tourists. I would have preferred the other campgrounds with no hookups, but needed the electricity to keep my laptop running while I wrapped up some work.

Riley was fearless. Because he's a dog, he was limited to the Rim Trail, and on our daily walks, he was constantly scanning for a way down. He KNEW there was a river down there for swimming in. He seemed to have enough sense not to risk a downward attempt, but I still kept him on a short leash. I managed to find a few hours to hike on my own below the rim on the Bright Angel Trail and wished my circumstances would have allowed me to hike all the way down and spend the night on the canyon floor by the Colorado River. Another time.

 

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