Making the most of a travel day…and why that matters!

After three days in the Las Vegas area, we awoke on a Tuesday to begin our journey East to the Grand Canyon.  Originally, when we started planning our Southwest adventure, we considered moving North out of Vegas, through southern Utah, and making our way down to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  What we quickly learned in planning is that the area is very spread out.  If your trip to the Grand Canyon includes visiting any of the surrounding area, know that travel time is a huge consideration.  

Here are some decisions you will have to make early on:

– Which parts of the Canyon will you visit?  

– Which major airport will you fly into . . . Phoenix, Las Vegas or Salt Lake City?

– Once you have landed, will you rent a vehicle and drive the 228-385 miles (4-6 hours) to the Canyon. Or perhaps you’ll catch a commuter flight into one of the smaller airports in Prescott, Flagstaff, or the National Park itself?  

– Will you spend most of your time at the Canyon, or do you want to see other destinations while you are there?  

What did you decide?

Your answers to these questions will help you make the most of your travel days. They will also help to determine the route which allows you to see as many sights as possible in one of the most spectacular parts of our beautiful country.  While we chose the “southern loop” for this trip (Vegas, Williams, Tusayan, South Rim and Phoenix), we cannot wait to get back for “Southwest Adventure – Part II” . . . the northern loop and more Grand Canyon adventures.  

Winds of Change

Our travel day began with some interesting weather.  An unexpected cold front broke the heat dome we had been under and did so with some violence.  We awoke to loud whistling and debris throughout the resort, as strong gusts threw open our patio doors and sent furniture sailing across the rooms.  

Wildfires in the area made for some heavy air. Consequently, the winds were so strong that we were treated to an actual sandstorm.  Thankfully, we were able to observe the latter event from a safe distance – and in our rear-view mirror – as we headed out for Tusayan.  

Before we hit the highway, we were able to get a family picture at the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign.  Like the sign said, it was “fabulous”, but what lay in store for us just fours hours away was truly EPIC!

Not what we were expecting…

My husband and children had never been to the Grand Canyon, and I had not been since I was a very small child.  It is safe to say that none of us really knew what to expect.  We were especially struck by how green the area was as we climbed from 2000’ feet in Vegas to 6800’ at the South Rim.  

The drive along Highway 64 through the Kaibab National Forest is lined with mature stands of green trees which get thicker as you approach the park entrance.  We had thought we would be driving through the desert, when in fact, we were driving though lush forest land that rivaled our own Great Smoky Mountains National Park.    Even on the short hike from the visitor center at Mather Point, we kept asking ourselves, “Really, where is this huge desert canyon!?” wondering if perhaps we had gone to the wrong location.  

No Words!

And then – as we rounded the corner – we saw it for the first time.  Friends, there just are no words to describe what we saw.  Even pictures cannot tell the story, though we hope you will enjoy the ones we have posted below.  The Grand Canyon is something everyone must truly see for themselves – to take measure of, and to weigh the magnitude of the place against their expectations.  

A definite change in temps!

Despite the rapidly dropping temperatures, we were compelled to stay, moving along the rim trail and taking in the breathtaking beauty before us.  We met some precious new friends – Jerry and Shea – from just up the road in Kentucky.  And like them (and the hundreds of other visitors around us) we did only what any of us could – take in the moment and try to comprehend the magnificence of what God has crafted there – His creative power on display!  

Early to Bed, Early to Rise . . .

And so the day ended just as it had begun – with yet another remarkable display of the beauty and power of the natural world around us.   Overwhelmed, we made a slow journey back to the town of Tusayan where we enjoyed some delicious local pizza and gelato, and browsed the general store.  

Eventually, we made our way back to our hotel for an early bedtime.  Tomorrow would be all about exploring the Canyon – from sunrise at Mather Point to sunset at Hopi Point, and every nook and cranny we could find along the South Rim.  We would need our rest!

Feel free to contact me!

If you’d like to read about traveling during Covid-19, click HERE. And if you’d like to learn more about how we get to enjoy such incredible experiences using points-based travel, feel free to reach out to me HERE!  

Let’s Get to the Point!

Also, here’s a link to the step-by-step process that we followed to see places that I once thought were completely untouchable for an average family of six, like mine! As well, please follow along on my social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.