Days 1 & 2 Flight to Phoenix and The Grand Canyon

On Wednesday, June 22nd, we flew out of Charlotte to Phoenix where we picked up a rental car and headed North toward the Grand Canyon.  Fortunately, we had no problems this year with getting a one-way rental.  I don't care what anybody says, Phoenix is a very hot city.  I think it was 104 degrees when we landed (and again I don't care - it may be a dry heat, but it is still too hot).

Our view of Arizona just before landing.

So, we had decided ahead of time that since we are going to be in Arizona that we should make the drive North and see the Grand Canyon.  It was a 3 and a half hour drive up to Grand Canyon National Park, which is a very interesting place.  I'm sure seeing the Grand Canyon is on most people's bucket lists and it certainly was on mine.  The boys did not seem to interested in it - besides we are out here to see baseball games.  But I think they were pretty impressed!

Our view just before Sunset.

On Wednesday, our first day in the Park, we went immediately out to see the Canyon.  It did not disappoint!  It is magnificent.  I don't think the pictures do it justice.

Tammy, Tate and Trey taking in the sights.

On Thursday, we decided to make a day of visiting the park and we wanted to do a hike down into the Canyon.  The boys were in good shape and Tammy works out and I had been walking some so we thought we would start out with the 1.5 mile Blue Angel Trail.  Now, 1.5 miles does not sound like a lot, but when you are descending 1000 feet during that 1.5 mile hike, it can be quite a challenge.  And as you would imagine going down was not too bad.  But coming up was VERY DIFFICULT.  It took about 40 minutes to go down and about an hour to come back up.  Needless to say, we were drained!

Tate and Trey at a little tunnel going down the trail.

Tammy at the beginning of the descent.

The views were breathtaking (or maybe it was the walking!)

We encountered a Mule Train hauling supplies up the mountain.

It was not uncommon to see Elk in the park - even in the town of Tusayan, AZ where we saw this very tame 7X7 Bull Elk eating grass along the sidewalk.

Needless to say, the visit to Grand Canyon National Park was definitely worth the extra effort.  After our hike, we headed back to the hotel and cleaned up and got some dinner and decided to go back to the Grand Canyon for an event called the Grand Canyon Star Party.  We were able to see a pitch black sky with more stars than I had ever seen.  There were over 50 astronomers who had set up telescopes focused on various stars and constellations.  We go to see some pretty cool views of stars and also got some lessons in astronomy.  I thought it was interesting.  The rest of my family was not as impressed.  So we headed back to the room and bedded down to head back to Phoenix the next day.  My take on the Grand Canyon - It was awesome!  Next up - back to Phoenix for the Diamondbacks game.