The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and over a mile deep. All of these pictures were taken from the South Rim.
The Canyon was carved by the Colorado River and geologists estimate it began some 17 million years ago.
Other than the Native Americans who lived in and around the Canyon, the first outsider to view its splendor was a Spaniard named García López de Cárdenas in 1540.
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Grand Canyon Game Preserve. In 1908, he redesignated the preserve as a U.S. National Monument. On February 26, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson established Grand Canyon National Park as the 17th U.S. National Park.
There are approximately 1,737 known species of vascular plants, 167 species of fungi, 64 species of moss and 195 species of lichen found in Grand Canyon National Park.
The day we visited, the weather was simply beautiful. In the 70s, not too hot, not too cold, a little breeze, sunshine. Gorgeous!
The Granddaughter mentioned that all of her friends -- every single one of them -- had said to her, "Don't fall in." She was not amused and she kept thinking and talking about it.
Then just as we drove out, we pulled over for an ambulance racing into the Park. The Granddaughter said, "Someone jumped in. I just know it." And when we watched the news that night, it turns out she was right. Apparently, a man who was panhandling was approached by Park Rangers and jumped over the edge to avoid them. He fell 25 feet, was rescued, then arrested. He was wanted in Texas for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Yikes!
Also in an area thick with pine trees on the road out of the Canyon, we spotted this ...
beautiful Mule Deer. There were quite a few people taking pictures and he didn't seem the least bit afraid.
Last but not least, it was Miles' 5th birthday that day as well. He and Louie went along for the ride. How many dogs do you know get a birthday party at the Grand Canyon? It was a very good day!
All facts and information taken from Wikipedia.
