Right when we arrived in Grand Canyon there were 3 elk out just walking the area. It was super cool! After doing some research we decided to stay within the park meaning we paid a boatload of money for a TEENY, not special lodge room. We had a tiny bathroom and our stuff was everywhere but we were 20 feet from the rim and I would highly recommend that to anyone.
I woke the family up at 5:30 one morning to see a sunrise. It was FREEZING but magical. Just magical.
On the way back to the car we found a nail in the tire but also found out the park has it's own auto center. I decided to walk back to the lodge with the kiddos along a rim trail while Derek handled that and it was great. We found an epic spot to snap some pictures which made it look like we were standing on the edge. Obviously there was a little land right below us. :)
When dad was back we decided to do a little hike along a trail that goes a bit down into the canyon. Sadly Derek make it only about 100' before his vision started going black and he had to turn back. Ady decided to go back with him. In his defense the trail goes right along the edge and is a bit terrifying if you think about it. But Will, Drew and I powered on and had a great time!
We hiked for a while before Will started to get tired so we turned back and I promised Drew I would go on a legit hike with him the next day.
Another of the amazing sunsets that happen at this beautiful place on our planet...
As promised, Drew and I did a legit hike the next morning. 2 hours and several miles straight down into the canyon. The hike back felt like a stairstepper for a straight hour but it was a wonderful bonding thing to do with my boy.
We of course had to send a picture to daddy acting like Drew went off the trail to solo climb. :)
We loved the IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon at the visitor center which we stopped at on the way to the Lowell Observatory where they found Pluto.
We got to see Jupiter, Venus and some stars up close. It was a CRAZY clear night and the stars were just amazing to see. Our little NASA lover was in HEAVEN but all of us thought the huge telescopes and everything we learned was so fun.
Love my little trip snuggle bugs...
One last view of the glorious Canyon before hitting the road. We also stopped at the Montezuma Castle National Park along the way to see the ancient dwellings which was pretty cool.
