Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, September 30, 2011

Oh that Gorgeous Grand Canyon

Out of all of the posts I have done on our 3 week trip out west this past June (this will be the 22nd post),  I realized that I haven't done any posts on the Grand Canyon  (other than the sunset ones).  AND--the Grand Canyon was one of the main reasons we took that long trip...

SO---today I will share a group of photos taken on June 14,  our FIRST views of this amazing place.  We entered the canyon from the East Entrance ---and stopped at the Desert View area for our first views....

These first views were the ones we remember the most.... Hope you enjoy these photos --taken on the eastern end of the Grand Canyon.   Click on the photos to enlarge.




You can see the Colorado River below.  I love seeing all of the colors in the canyon.




This is the Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower.




Isn't this just awesome????   PLEASE make a trip to the Grand Canyon at least once in your lifetime...  (But--don't go in the hot and very CROWDED summer like we did!!!)




I don't think one can EVER take a bad picture here.  The colors are amazing!




We want to go back to the Grand Canyon ---and visit the north rim... We also want to come back to the south rim in a different season!!!  Another word of advice:  Stay in the canyon.  We stayed off-site --and even though they have a shuttle,  it wasn't as nice as staying in the 'village'.....





Here are two happy people who are so glad to be here!!!!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and please stay WARM.  A cold front is coming --and our low on Saturday night is going to be 34... Yipes!!!!   I will see you on Monday.

Hugs,
Betsy

57 comments:

Ms. A said...

34! That's serious winter weather, here! I'd settle for below 85. The photos are gorgeous, as always.

MadSnapper said...

i like that tower, wow on that one, would love to see it and the canyon. i like the stack of rocks in the second shot. so much beauty out there and you were blessed to see it ALL

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

We visited the Grand Canyon before we had kids, and camped on the North Rim in the National Park there. It was wonderful - but it got COLD at night (this was at the end of May).

Unknown said...

I've never been to Grand Canyon but it is every bit as beautiful as i've heard.
These are wonderful photos.

From the Kitchen said...

WOW!!!!! The views and the colors are spectacular. Did you and George go down into the canyon? I'm wondering if you have a wide-angle lens for your camera?

Have a great and picturesque weekend.

Best,
Bonnie

Catherine said...

That grand canyon has some pretty fall colors!! :)

Have a Happy weekend Betsy!
xo Catherine

Karin said...

Definitely awe inspiring! We loved our stay so many, many years ago! Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos!

Ruth Hiebert said...

The pictures are awe inspiring,so I can only imagine what it would be like to be right there.Wow! Amazing. Have a great weekend.Perhaps you should come to my place,the temperatures are to be quite warm.

trump said...

Magnificent images of one of the wonders of the world, and one of the places that i would love to visit. A great post Betsy . Richard from Amish Stories.

Out on the prairie said...

Wow, some really nice shots.On a clear day you saw forever.

Anonymous said...

I have never been to the Grand Canyon, but on the island of Kauai, there is the Waimea Canyon, which has been likened to the Grand Canyon because of its colors and shape. But, it is not as magnificent as the Grand Canyon. Thanks for the photos, Betsy. Enjoy your weekend.

Anonymous said...

Didn't the view(s) just take your breath away? We are flirting with the high 40's this weekend!

penny said...

There is so much to look at I had to keep going over your beautiful photos time and again to take it all in.
Have a wonderful weekend, Betsy.
hugs,
Pam

pam said...

That is just staggeringly gorgeous!

Connie said...

Amazing views and great photos, Betsy. I heard we are supposed to get a frost here on Sunday. I'm not ready for that yet! Have a good weekend! :-)

TexWisGirl said...

just gorgeous, betsy. :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

God's masterpiece.
The colorado river looks like a lil' bitty stream from that far up!!!
Cold? This weekend??? not me. :)
xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Awesome is truly a good adjective to describe the Grand Canyon! Excellent pictures. You both look so happy! Have a wonderful weekend and yes, stay warm!

happyone said...

Wonderful photos, but pictures just can't do the place justice. I loved it there. It is awesome in the truest sense of the word!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fireplace weather, Betsy! Thanks for sharing these awesome pictures from your trip. Enjoy your day.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

The GC is absolutely gorgeous and it was a thrill to see it in person. I agree that everyone should see it once. I'll never forget my hubby's first comment upon seeing it...WOW...because it really does take your breath away and no words can really describe its beauty.

I hope you and George enjoy your day and have a wonderful weekend!

Ginny Hartzler said...

The pictures are all wonderful!!! Why do they need that watchtower, surely it's not used, it looks very old and crumbly? Did it used to be used for something?

HolleyGarden said...

What gorgeous colors! I have been to the Grand Canyon, but I was just a child. This makes me want to take a trip there again. What a gorgeous place!

nanny said...

The canyon looks like it was hand painted....so beautiful.
I have to go sometime...really I do! I want to so bad. Thanks for the suggestion about staying there, good to know!

Jo said...

With all that awesome heavenly splendour, Betsy, your photos are just perfect. They look like paintings. I sighed over each one and thought: I wonder if we'd ever get there? Mmm. Blessings Jo

Janie said...

Great photo, Betsy. The Grand Canyon is an amazing and spectacular place!

Linda@VS said...

Thanks so much for "taking us with you" to these wonderfully scenic places. After discovering your blog the other day and seeing how far superior your photos were to mine, I was motivated to get busy and find out why the resolution on my pics was so drastically diminished. Having determined at least a partial fix, I've gone back and tweaked every single image I've posted from my recent Smoky Mountain vacation. Thanks for the inspiration; my readers will appreciate it.

Elizabeth said...

Dear Betsy, I have so enjoyed going along with you on your summer travel out west, to places I visited and camped at as a child with my folks, wonderful times...also wanted to tell you that my husband and I spent our honeymoon in a cabin near Flagstaff AZ,(18 years ago) and we made a side trip to the Grand Canyon and I have a picture of hubby in one of the windows of that Watchtower! I'm SO glad you had such a great time and that you love to use the less traveled roads. So much to see!!

Stay warm this weekend...Fall is here, pounding on the door!!

P.S. I haven't commented to you lately because my own blog is still stuck on July 4th with no updates since then!...maybe with the cooler weather I can sit down and post some pictures and stories. :-)

LV said...

Thanks for another tour of this Grand Canyon. There many years ago, and this is the only way I can see it again.

Chatty Crone said...

I haven't been to nearly the places you have, but I have been here - made you feel so little in the whole context of the world - didn't it?

sandie

Arkansas Patti said...

Someday I will do that. Awesome pictures. That tower sure looked old.
I am excited about the cool weather. Think I'll break out my down jacket.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Obvious why it is Grand! Love your photos. We remember just staring at it with no words.

Kay said...

Ben and I camped at one of the campgrounds on the rim of the canyon years ago when we were dating. Must have been 1974 or 1975. I always wanted to go back, but he and I never got to do that. Your photos are beautiful. I remember the tower.

Kay

Neal said...

Those are gorgeous Betsy. However, you would never convince me that that river cut all of that canyon. I would love to go back sometimes since we didn't have digital cameras when we went the last time.

Pedaling said...

gotta see the wonders of the world--especially those in the U.S.

what is up with the weather extremes?

Have a great weekend!

myletterstoemily said...

what gorgeous photos of a national treasure!

Christine said...

That's one awesome sight to behold! It's on our list to do once hubby retires. I can't wait for that little cold front; it means some nighttime 50's for us in NW FL. It was in the low 90's today. Come on down here lower temps; we're waiting!!!!

Diane said...

Did you walk out on the glass walkway Betsy? I wouldn't be able to do that - I'd probably faint!!!! Beautiful shots. Diane

SquirrelQueen said...

Beautiful shots of the Canyon Betsy. We have been within a few miles of the Canyon but still haven't seen it. Looking at your photos makes me really want to go.

Brr, you're in for a cold weekend. We've got a cold front coming through this weekend too but only down to the 40's at night for us.

Cicero Sings said...

Truly an amazing place - the pictures are great so I'm sure in real life the views are awe inspiring.

Loren said...

Oh I am sooo thrilled to see these pics! I have just LOVED being able to see parts of your trip ~ I feel like I was there ;)

The Grand Canyon is just breath-taking! But I know you know ....to be there in person is absolutely amazing

34 is took cold already! We have been in the 50's at night and had some just gorgeous days! Really loving the weather these days!!

Big Dude said...

After many years we finally made it out there a few years ago and it is certainly an impressive ditch.

Unknown said...

Betsy, I love your photography results, no matter where you are. The Grand Canyon photos are beautiful; you have done a wonderful job of capturing its magnificence!

John
connectedtothevinephotography.blogspot.com

I Am Woody said...

I will never forget my first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. We arrived at Mather Point about an hour before sunset. Can you say perfect timing?!? Beauty that left me speechless and moved me to tears. That perfect evening will forever be ingrained in my memory.

Our first visit was early May. It was warm enough but not crazy hot. And the hordes of summer visitors had not descended. So even the in-park shuttle was enjoyable:)

I always try to stay in-park when possible. Even though the lodging just outside the park may seem really, really close, after a long day of sightseeing or hiking, those extra minutes closer are definitely worth it.

Hidden Haven Homestead said...

Those photos are breathtaking! Did you take the burrow rides down? That is on my bucket list. LOL Enjoy that fireplace this weekend. William is in Indiana for his daughters wedding so the animals and I have the homestead to ourselves. They all have fresh warm bedding and I have the woodstove all ready to light tonight with lots of teas and hot chocolates ready. Think its going to be a relaxing weekend hopefully.

Rose said...

I always think what it would be like to imagine going to bed in our own world, and then waking up in a place like this unexpectedly. Wonder what we would think?

It is so beautiful, but so different.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

I've always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. Hopefully one day! What a beautiful place.
Hoping you are having a great weekend.

Kelly said...

...gorgeous, gorgeous! So much sun and blue sky...and the colors of the canyon are incredible!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Hi, Betsy. We are traveling now and just left the Grand Canyon today. Your photos seem so crisp and clear compared to mine. It was hazy when we arrived, partly due to some controlled burning that was going on in the park. Still, it's a beautiful place. One of a kind, for sure. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

Birdman said...

Wow! Your banner shot IS fall.

Beatriz said...

Hello Betsy!
Here in Brazil we're almost in the summer and the weather is really hot!
Your pictures about your country are amasing, as usual!!!
Some day I'll visit the Grand Canyon, I swear!!!
Kisses
Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Annesphamily said...

Your photos are beautiful! I am always happy to see these shares. Enjoy the week. Anne

Janice K said...

Your pictures are great. You entered the canyon area from the side we left it. It was very nice in the Fall of the year also.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You visited the Grand canyon on such a beautiful blue sky day, Betsy! It made all the canyon's wonderful the colors so intense. I loved each and every photo!

It is hard to get a reservation to stay at one of the park hotels. We were lucky whe we visited as we were able to snag a room in the Bright Angel Lodge that just opened as there was a cancellaton.

Anonymous said...

Great Photos Betsy! I love the Grand Canyon! We went there by train a few years ago and it was one of the best vacations I ever had.

Have a nice week :-)

& BTW, thanks for your recent comment on my WCS post. ~Ron

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, Your photos of the Grand Canyon are beautiful. The colors are gorgeous.I have been twice and I loved it, what an amazing view. Thanks for sharing your Grand Canyon visit.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Whoaaa! jaw dropping beauty! A wonder of nature.. one of my best must go places in the world!