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We decided that we saw what we wanted to see in and around Page, Arizona, so we're taking a side trip to the Grand Canyon. We were advised that the south rim is the most popular entrance because it has the best panoramic views.
There are numerous viewpoints on the drive from Page. The problem with a number of them was that the Indians had set up these shabby, yet permanent plywood structures all along the viewpoint, but on the other side of the guard rail. So, there really wasn't a view to see unless you walked to either end of the pullout, which was the same as standing against the guardrail along the highway.The Grand Canyon also uses a shuttle bus system to move people from 1 viewpoint to the next in the park. The best views are from Hopi Point (stop #4) and Pima Point (stop #8). There is also a walking trail along the rim that you can walk from the first bus stop to the last one. We got off the bus at Hopi and used this trail to walk to Pima. A nice surprise was that the trail is in amongst the trees. I was expecting hot, naked rock. There were benches and rocks in places as well.
The day didn't get off to such a great start because Dave handed me his iPad to take a photo of him at the 1st viewpoint and I grabbed the case and the iPad fell out on the pavement and smashed the screen. I was hoping that just the glass screen saver broke, but it was both screens. Waah!We did walk to Pima Point and took a lot of photos along the way. The vastness of the canyon is something that you have to see to comprehend, but we were disappointed in the color of it. We expected the hills or mesas to be more vividly colored than they were. Maybe it has to do with how far you are from them. Also, the humidity in the air lends a haze over the view and that varies depending on the day and also dulls the color. I didn't think there was any point in staying to watch the sun set because I'm not that sophisticated photographer that would be able to make use of the shadows. The sun sets today at 6:46 and we still have a 2 1/2 hour drive back to Page for the night. I was glad that I saw the Grand Canyon, but wouldn't spend anymore time here than we did.
Steps on the fitness tracker: 9,850
There are numerous viewpoints on the drive from Page. The problem with a number of them was that the Indians had set up these shabby, yet permanent plywood structures all along the viewpoint, but on the other side of the guard rail. So, there really wasn't a view to see unless you walked to either end of the pullout, which was the same as standing against the guardrail along the highway.The Grand Canyon also uses a shuttle bus system to move people from 1 viewpoint to the next in the park. The best views are from Hopi Point (stop #4) and Pima Point (stop #8). There is also a walking trail along the rim that you can walk from the first bus stop to the last one. We got off the bus at Hopi and used this trail to walk to Pima. A nice surprise was that the trail is in amongst the trees. I was expecting hot, naked rock. There were benches and rocks in places as well.
The day didn't get off to such a great start because Dave handed me his iPad to take a photo of him at the 1st viewpoint and I grabbed the case and the iPad fell out on the pavement and smashed the screen. I was hoping that just the glass screen saver broke, but it was both screens. Waah!We did walk to Pima Point and took a lot of photos along the way. The vastness of the canyon is something that you have to see to comprehend, but we were disappointed in the color of it. We expected the hills or mesas to be more vividly colored than they were. Maybe it has to do with how far you are from them. Also, the humidity in the air lends a haze over the view and that varies depending on the day and also dulls the color. I didn't think there was any point in staying to watch the sun set because I'm not that sophisticated photographer that would be able to make use of the shadows. The sun sets today at 6:46 and we still have a 2 1/2 hour drive back to Page for the night. I was glad that I saw the Grand Canyon, but wouldn't spend anymore time here than we did.
Steps on the fitness tracker: 9,850
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