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Karen's Travels
Well, had a great day at the Grand Canyon. Michael, a young man from Pennsylvania, was our guide. There were about ten of us on the trip and it took about 1.5 hours to drive to the Grand Canyon National Park. There are no superlatives that can do justice to the grandeur of the place, so any words I might find to use would be inadequate. A few words from a map I was given: 'Over several million years the Colorado River has carved an immense chasm through this arid land. The layers of rock exposed in the canyon walls provide snapshots of the geologic events that shaped the American Southwest'. My Mum would have been having a thousand fits today as we stood on precipices with a 5,000 feet drop. Some people go quite close to the edge, which made me feel quite ill! I wasn't one of them - I kept well back! Michael took us around the Canyon to various viewing points and we did a two-hour hike down a path taken by miners in the 1800s. Coming back up was a killer in the heat and my heart was pumping - lots of water consumed. It was worth it for the views. Apparently around 10-12 people die in the Canyon every year - a relatively small number compared to the 5.5 million who visit it. I think most fatalities are due to people dehydrating; not being prepared for the intense heat. I'm sure there must be some falls as well. I think the Canyon is 7,000 feet above sea level and its 5,000 feet in depth. We could see the Colorado River running through the canyon from some viewing points. The scale of the place is so immense, it's breathtaking. On the way home, we stopped at the Navajo Indian Reservation, the biggest in the USA, where native American Indians live. They had some hand-made pottery and jewellry on sale and I bought myself a ring. Michael was able to give us lots of useful information about the Canyon (most of which I have forgotten already)! People who choose to hike down to the very bottom of the Canyon - all 5,000 feet - can stay at Phantom Ranch at the bottom. It's basically a hostel and all its provisions are taken down by mules! Well, I'm desperately trying to remember other little details in the five minutes I have left. Have taken many photos which I hope are good - some taken to make it look like I'm standing on a precipice when in fact I'm not! Back to Vegas in the morning on the 10.30am Greyhound. Tomorrow night we are celebrating Heidi's birthday at the Tropicana and I believe she has even bought a bottle of bubbly for the occasion! Internet is expensive in Vegas so you may not hear from me again until Miami - we fly there on Saturday. Love to all.
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