My daugher, Chelsea, will be sharing about our recent road trip through her eyes. This post is a look at what she thought of our visit to the Grand Canyon.
Originally we weren’t planning on even stopping at the Grand Canyon, but how can you not when you’re basically passing right by it? It was only about 4 hours out of our way, which is nothing when you’re going on a 36 hour road trip.
I had been prepared for warm weather, really warm. As soon as we drove into Missouri, I changed into shorts. It really wasn’t that warm, but the closer we got to California the warmer it got. I assumed it’d be warm at the Grand Canyon. It wasn’t. When we got there my family started putting on their sweatshirts and jackets. I decided to stick it out, I was not going to be a wimp.
As soon as we started walking I knew it was a mistake. But being the stubborn person I am, I didn’t go back for a sweatshirt. Instead, I crossed my arms and kept walking. 
I thought the Grand Canyon would just be a spot alongside the road to just stop, get out, take a couple pictures and leave. I had no idea it was such a large National Park! I didn’t know we’d spend more than an hour there, also why I didn’t bring a sweatshirt.
We spent quite a bit of time there. I guess I looked cold to my brother, so being the gentleman he is, he gave me his sweatshirt.
The darker it got, the colder it got. People dressed in coats and scarfs, wrapped in blankets, started to stare at me and my pasty white legs.
They were probably wondering how I could be so stupid. I was even in flip flops! Definitely not the attire you should wear in November, in Arizona.
Even the distraction of the cold couldn’t keep me from seeing how breathtakingly beautiful the Grand Canyon truly is. The verse that kept playing over and over again in my mind was.
Psalm 66:4 “All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.”
I couldn’t even begin to fathom how someone could see the Grand Canyon, see how beautiful creation truly is, and not believe in how truly beautiful our Creator is.
This post is linked to Travel Photo Mondays at Travel Photo Discovery.
© 2013, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Katie says
absolutely beautiful!
eileen at FamiliesGo! says
it’s hard to drag yourself away once you’re there. it’s sooo captivating. We didn’t go into the canyon when we went, so i’d like to go back.
Tonya says
My husband told me that if we make it back to the Grand Canyon, he definitely wants to explore below the rim. He’s thinking a hike to the bottom and back or a rafting trip.
Mary {The World Is A Book} says
I’m glad you guys had a great visit and even happier that your teen enjoyed it. I love the Grand Canyon but have only ever visited twice during the winter. It really is stunning and your daughter picked such an appropriate verse. Beautiful pictures!
Poppy says
Hi Tonya and Chelsea,
Breathtaking photos! Thank you for the spectacular tour and commentary, Chelsea, really enjoyed your ‘take’ on this wonder of our world!
Poppy
Muza-chan says
So beautiful…
Crystal Green says
It looks like you all had a blast together. Love the pictures you shared with us. My mom’s favorite trip was when she went to the Grand Canyon and rode a mule up and down it.
Mel {MamaBuzz} says
I love the Grand Canyon! And I agree…. it’s so beautiful and so easy to see the hand of the Creator, such an amazing place. Your photos are beautiful.
LOL Your cold weather reminded me of a rain storm we got caught in when we visited. We hid under a tree and were freezing. We’ve made a pact to go back when our boys are older and hike to the bottom and raft the river.
Karen says
I love the Grand Canyon. I spent 5 seasons at the North Rim as a park ranger. I worked at the entrance station. I wore a fleece jacket until almost July, and put it back on again around the end of August. I can not tell you how many times I have seen girls come up there in June, dressed in short shorts and tank tops, and shivering while I stood out there in my fleece jacket, wool pants, and gloves. It is cold up there.!
Tonya says
Wow Karen, was that when you were a full-time RVer? Working at the Grand Canyon would be an amazing experience. If we ever plan to go again, I’ll hit you up for some great tips. 🙂
Linda B says
The place looks so gorgeoous!!
MommyJenna says
What gorgeous pictures!
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says
Well while you were cold it certainly looks like it was beautiful! I have never been there and now I know if I do go to bring coats.
Kimberly says
I’ve always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon. Looks like you had a great time.
LyndaS says
It is beautiful. My daughter would have dressed just like you did.
Jenna says
So glad you got to see it in person. Pictures never do it justice.
robyn says
Lovely photos. We can’t wait to take our boys on just such a trip!
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
I love it! And my daughter would have done THE EXACT same thing LOL
Jacklynn says
I’ve not been to the Grand Canyon but I often feel closest to God when I’m basking in the Earth’s beauty so I can certainly imagine how it felt to be there! I’d love to visit one day.
noel morata says
wow, it’s stunning any time of the year or even bad weather, I would be too cold to bring my flip flops outdoors there 🙂
Colleen - @amadisonmom says
Wow! I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. It really is amazing.
And… I’ll make sure if I do visit… and it’s November (or Dec/Jan/Feb…) I’ll bring my sweatshirt!
Andrea Kruse says
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I hope to have the chance to take my kids there in the near future. Oh, and I wouldn’t have stared. Oregonians all have pretty pasty white legs. 😉
Dianna @ Oy Vey a Day says
I’ve only been to the Grand Canyon once – it is pretty awesome. We actually flew over it in a tiny plane… but I was too airsick to really appreciate it from that vantage. 🙂
Jessie says
Beautiful pictures! Sounds like you had a really good time 🙂
Maryann says
I am guessing you will not make the wardrobe mistake again.