Isn't Life Grand?

We headed north from Flagstaff to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  The uncooperative sun set prior to our arrival, so we would have to wait to enjoy the view.

Mary lights up El Tovar, our lodging for the night.

The decorations lingered in the lobby,
even after the new year.

Lack of patience on my part made us check out the rim, regardless of the lighting.
It was much darker than this time exposure might make you believe,
but one could certainly begin to appreciate the vastness of the canyon in the starlight.

We arose before the dawn to catch the sunrise.  "Where should we watch from?" we inquired at the desk.  

"You don't have much time.  Take a left at the rim and look for a good spot there."

The lights of El Tovar denote its position on the rim
as the eastern sky brightens.

Without direct sunlight, the canyon appears in shades of mauve.

Unsatisfied with the viewpoint, and realizing that the clerk had no idea who he was dealing with, Mary and I began walking eastward along the rim and past our starting point to get a better view.

As the sky brightens, richer tones appear.

Just prior to sunrise, the snow accents selected strata.

Sunrise!
Though our view of it was blocked,
the brilliant orange light has entered the canyon.

As we walked along the rim,
the illumination increased and a myriad of features appeared.

We continued to walk.
The sun continued to rise.
The canyon continued to unveil itself.

Who needs to see the sun?  The real show is looking to the west as the sunlight descends into the canyon.  The fluid, breathtaking view changed every minute.

The view is spectacular from almost any viewpoint.
Not sure why an icy rock on the edge is preferred by some.

Brilliant!

While certainly nothing to scoff at,
the view toward the northeast, hidden in shadow,
is much less dramatic.

All of these people hopped the "Danger! Do not pass." sign
so that they could get better pictures
and tell everyone about them via cellular connection.

The relief revealed by the oblique angle of the sun

is quite striking.

Not a bad way to start the day.

Which is exactly what this young lady was thinking.

We practically walked into her on our way back to the lodge.

This guy wondered by a little later.

Though wild, I think maybe they've seen humans before.

He comes closer.

And closer yet.

What you lookin' at?

We saw this guy later.
He appeared to be a loner.

We returned to the lodge after our elk encounter.  It's not often that we walk 4 miles before breakfast.

We retreated to the lodge for a fine meal.
The picture windows provide a teaser view.

The festive moose preferred watching the people go by.

Later in the day, we explored new vantage points along the south rim.

The rocks often took on different looks depending upon viewing angle.

But all were amazing.

A brief rest refreshes one's enjoyment of the spectacle.

A colorful image beyond the shadow of the photographer.

Crazy people walk off the path to the edge
in search of the perfect selfie.

Along the path are markers and rock samples
corresponding to the formation of the canyon.

You wouldn't think a marker would last that long.

Dimes are embedded to indicate the passage of 10 Million years.

What do you suppose pennies indicate?

This Mexican Jay would not tell me,
in his language or mine.

A new perspective from farther west.
We drove to different viewpoints.

"Grand" seems insufficient.  The canyon is overwhelming.  It is stupendous.  The Magnificent Canyon.  The Incredible Canyon.  The Absolutely Amazing Geologically Gargantuan Gorge. 

Its visage is too close to infinite to for the finite mind to fully grasp.

Looking back toward El Tovar.
Much more snow remains where the sunlight does not touch.

You may not be able to read this sign.
It says, "If you're standing close enough to read this sign,
you could have one short and thrilling experience left."

I'd never take little kids here.  One foolish move could remove the possibility of any more.  No second chance.  I'm surprised Mary let me come to the canyon.  Hmmm...

Different positions along the rim provide differing appreciation of features.

Like the Colorado River.

Way, way down there.

Working hard to make the canyon ever deeper.

It may not look like much from up top,
but I don't think I'd want to paddle my kayak through this.

It would have been more appropriate if Mary had taken this photo.

It is an interesting stone building that was constructed 100 years ago
so that the park service could convert it into a gift shop.

But it is impressive, even with tchotchkes.

Hermit's Rest remains the figurative jumping off point for treks down into the gorge.

And speaking of jumping off points...

"Yes," a Ranger told us.  "We have to go retrieve a few bodies every year.  Annoying and messy.  But more are from heat stroke than falling.  It gets really hot in the summer."

Don't you want to take the trail down?

Maybe on a burro?

I've seen it.  Cross the Grand Canyon off the list.  Very, very impressive, but I don't know that I feel the need to return.  Unless, of course, I can convince Mary that a Colorado River rafting trip would be fun...