This week I am reviewing one of the most magical moments from my BlogPaws® trip to America in 2016 which includes a fabulous video.
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I have not been at my best since we lost Harvey and Dot in June/July and, as anyone of you who has lost a pet will know, there are times when you just can’t focus well enough to do a post justice.
If you have seen the post already, there are some new photos, and if you have not seen it please enjoy. My video tries to capture one of the world’s natural wonders.
NOTE: The images were taken on a small compact and an iPod Touch which I hope encourages those of you who do not use a DSLR.
The Grand Canyon
Visiting The Grand Canyon was top our list of places to visit after BlogPaws® and, thanks to the services of Steve Gerhart and Arizona Scenic Tours we had the perfect visit.
Steve did all the driving so Paul was able to relax and not stress about ‘driving on the wrong side of the road’. Any British readers will realise how super stressful this would be for us English folk. It not make for an enjoyable holiday break .
- TIP If you think you will never see the Grand Canyon for real, don’t be so sure you never will. The Dash Kitten crew never dreamed I would get to the BlogPaws conference but I did. The lesson here? Never give up on your dreams.
My 2016 Traveller’s Report
[Please note that I use we all the time because Dash Kitten dad Paul was with me for this trip of a lifetime.]
I will begin from our base in Phoenix, AZ after the BlogPaws conference.
The heat in Arizona in June and July can be intense, different from anything we have encountered before. As part of a two-day journey, we hoped to spend a whole afternoon and evening in the Grand Canyon area which is at a higher elevation, and not quite so hot.
The Lowell Observatory
We drove through different geographical areas as we gained height – starting with the desert, home to the astonishing Saguaro Cactus. Although it is not an endangered species, there are strict regulations governing the treatment of the cactus. It’s bloom is the State Flower of Arizona.
We stopped off at the Lowell Observatory, as Paul is an astronomer by training.
Here, if can you believe it, it rained. Having driven high up from the intense heat of the Sonoran Desert it was welcome though and did not spoil our visit.
In a very short time, we had climbed high enough to reach an area where rain and snow are much more common than in Phoenix, Arizona!
Visiting The Grand Canyon
We travelled on to see what is truly one of nature’s wonders.
As I say in my video at the bottom of this post, nothing anyone says can describe the impact, on a mere human, of seeing the sheer size and magnificence of the Grand Canyon.
- The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) in width, and can be over a mile deep (6,093 feet/1,857 meters).
Thanks to Steve’s local knowledge we visited several of the best vantage points around the Canyon, and managed to avoid a lot of the crowds.
We also managed the best seats in the house for a superb sunset which you can see in the video below.
The key we found was not to rush from place to place but allow plenty of time to see the Canyon from several different vantage points. You need plenty of time, simply to take in the scale of this most amazing of places.
Surprising as it might sound; clouds added drama and interest to the beautiful blue skies, especially towards the sunset. They also added extra depth and shade over the Grand Canyon itself.
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Video of The Grand Canyon
The video is longer than our usual presentations (just over 2 minutes) because we aim to give what we hope is an impression of the size and the magnificence of this amazing place.
Please stick with it to the end – it’s worth it!
Our trip to Blogpaws helped launch the blog in a more focused way which has been a real benefit.
The trip also allowed us both to enjoy some of Arizona’s most spectacular treasures including the Heard Museum, the Observatory and Sedona.
And you know what? I have never done a full post on our Sedona trip! I guess I need to share the pictures in a post – right?
I remember the first time I visited the Grand Canyon and no photos or videos (no matter how well done they are) can do it justice. It’s just majestic! I’m so happy you were able to visit when you visited
You are so right. A photo can only give the palest glimpse!
Isn’t the Grand Canyon incredible? I went a few years ago and I loved every minute of it – pictures and videos don’t do it justice! I truly believe that everyone needs to see it at least once in their life! I’m glad that you were able to make your dream of visiting come true. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You are right. Pictures try hard but you need to see it if you can.
What a wonderful trip you had! My mother-in-law finally got to see the Grand Canyon when she was around 70. She loved it, but she said she enjoyed Sedona more. I haven’t been to Sedona, but I hope to get there one day.
Interesting. I honestly can’t choose between the two. Both blew me away in different ways.
Wow- looks like such a great trip. Love the photos. They look so good and you have got even better. I miss Blog Paws. I mean this year would have been tough but so glad we got together. Hope you are doing OK.
Thank you. I hope my post encourages those with smaller cameras to believe that they can take great pictures themselves.
Beautiful photos and am jealous as I would love to visit the Grand Canyon it is on my bucket list. The video was fantastic also, thank you so much for sharing
Beautiful photos You were lucky to get to go there.
I saw the Grand Canyon for my first time a couple years ago. It is an amazing place. I’m very sorry to hear about your loss. I hope with time your grief and pain lessen but I know how difficult it is to get to that point. <3
Our mom didn’t get to see anything in Phoenix! She definitely wants to go back.
Your photos are stunning! I’m kind of a homebody and don’t do much traveling, in part thanks to my pets who I don’t like being apart from, but I think the grand canyon is one place I would like to see in person someday. Sending healing thoughts your way after your losses.
There is a lot of grandeur to the Grand Canyon. Cookie wonders how many mice or frogs are around there, though 🙂
LOL I wish I knew!
Wanna go there…too…MOL!
Thanks for sharing your pics and thoughts about The Grand Canyon. An amazing place!
understood about harvey and dot ♥♥♥
and thanx for sharing the photos and the short video: i enjoyed them. I live in the states and have not been to too many places; and yet at the top of the “bucket list”…Ireland ♣♣♣♣♣
Great pics and love the video!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Lowell Observatory is one of my all-time vacation highlights – along with Kitt Peak (where I learned what being an astronomer really means in modern times … not long before I realized physics and I don’t like each other very much)! Of course, I went to Lowell BEFORE Pluto was demoted from a proper planet – so perhaps people are less in awe of the whole experience these days.
What an amazing trip! We loved seeing your photos, and your video was really awesome!
Thank you! It was the trip of a lifetime for us.
Oh how gorgeous! I haven’t been yet but it’s on my bucket list!
One of the places on my bucket list, wonderful photos thanks
Oh what beautiful photos and video. Mommy is bummed she didn’t get to go.
Wow, gorgeous! On my bucket list for sure 🙂 We were hoping to go after BlogPaws but ran out of time : /
It’s on my bucket list! Beautiful pics!
GREAT video! The Grand Canyon is such an amazing place. I’m so glad you were able to go.
The Grand Canyon is really stunning isn’t it – love your photos. We also did a helicopter ride which was spectacular around the rim.
It looks like you really made the most of your trip! You got some really great shots in your video.
That canyon can be over a mile deep? Wow. No… MOUSES!
Purrs,
Seville
Wow, such amazing photos! That’s really exciting that Mum and Dad got to see the Grand Canyon up close and personal!
My human’s been to the Grand Canyon, many years ago… she drove over from Flagstaff in the middle of the night (she couldn’t find a hotel room), and landed there at dawn. It was pretty awesome.
The mom has yet to see the Grand Canyon. It’s definitely on her list.
The photos and video are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them.
Have to say that of all the places that I visited in my lifetime, the Grand Canyon simply blew me away. To think that this magnificence started with a trickle of water. We drove up to it from the East and weren’t really aware of it until lwe were there.
Us to, that is why we hope sharing our experience is something pals will enjoy.
Wonderful photos ! Claire saw the Grand Canyon when she was 16, and it’s an unforgettable memory ! Purrs
Those are some beautiful pictures. I would love to go.
Beautiful photos and the Dad says yes, it is a most amazing place!
It has to be seen to be believed, grand indeed.