SW Trip # 2 The Grand Canyon

Truly a magnificent sight!

Here we are at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona. We didn't plan well for the temperatures! As we drove towards the canyon we were in a snow shower. Neither of us had packed appropriately....we were cold!!! 7,000 ft elevation and a cold front. We had a comfortable, warm room and there were 2 nice restaurants that we enjoyed dinner at each night. The second day was clear, with blue skies but cold temperatures. We spent several hours driving the south rim and stopping to capture some of the glorious views below.

Watch as light in the canyon changes throughout the day - above and below are morning light.

Colors get richer as the sun gets higher. The above and below are mid-day light.

The next two are at sundown...the shadows are long and colors muted.

Most of the photos capture the canyon at about 8-10 miles across - but at the widest it is 17 miles across.

The photos do not begin to express the vastness and the magnitude of this wonder.

Even though it was cold, it was a great to be in 'nature' - a total juxtaposition to the lights and noise of Las Vegas.

The view from our room - morning after a light snow fall.

We stayed in the National Park where there is beautiful wildlife . This deer was eating some clover outside the lodge.

And Mr Elk appeared both evenings we were eating. We joked he was on payroll there because his entry was definately a crowd pleaser. After dinner we saw him at a different spot with another crowd of tourists. There were signs around the park saying it is 'Unlawful' to approach the animals.