I read somewhere that nothing can prepare you for the Grand Canyon. Apparently, getting there from South is quite an experience because there is no sign of the big hole that suddenly opens in front of your eyes. Driving from Page to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, prepares you slightly for what you are going to see in the park. The Marble Canyon keeps you company for a while on Route 89, then smaller canyons show up here and there on Route 64.

Our first contact with the Grand Canyon - in the vicinity of the Watchtower - was breathtaking. My senses simply refused to cope with its depth despite the signals travelling from the eyes to a still rational mind. These signals became clearer and clearer as we were driving from one viewpoint to the next. At Navajo Point I could see how insignificant the Watchtower was compared to the big hole in front of it. From other viewpoints some tourists became visible, which were slightly smaller than the layer of rock they were standing on. I didn't even attempt counting down the layers of rock - I was sure I would lose the count.

Except for a short (maybe 5-10 minutes) hike down at Grandview Point, we followed the predominant tourist strategy: get out of the car, look, take pictures, get in the car, drive to the next viewpoint. Repeat. This only worked on the Desert View Drive because they closed quite a few viewpoints to private vehicles. The same strategy worked on the Hermits Rest Route with a shuttle instead of Blacky. They suspended the shuttles for a little while due to weather concerns, but that gave me the opportunity to take a picture of a double rainbow. Later, at Pima Point we experienced how unfriendly the weather can suddenly turn. It was not enough that the rain poured on us and the wind started blowing: the temperature dropped down to freezing levels (or at least this is how it felt like).

The day was too short to visit the viewpoints on Kaibab Trail Route - we barely made it at Mather Point to see the sunset. Later - when we stopped at Yavapai Observation Station - it was too dark to observe anything. And, of course, the darkness made the drive back to Page extremely dull.

• Bryce Canyon
• Zion Canyon
• Grand Canyon - South Rim
• Grand Canyon - North Rim
• Lake Powell
• Needles District in Canyonlands
• Arches
• Bridges and Capitol Reef
• Salt Lake City