One of the things that I love about life is the opportunities it presents to a person. Some of these opportunities, such as those to cheat on your significant other, should be avoided on all costs. Other opportunities, such as going on a trip across the Western half of the United States with a couple of friends from Germany who are paying for your airfare and hotel, should be jumped at. Hence, when such an opportunity arose, I took it.

On one day, the exact date of which escapes my memory at this point in time, I found myself on the Grand Canyon’s south rim. I had seen Canyon Diablo (near Meteor Crater) and I had seen Canyon D’Chelley. I had not, however, seen something as awe inspiring as the Grand Canyon.

Although awe-inspiring is a trite recommendation for this, it is perhaps the only fitting one. A demonstration of the raw beauty of the vista was my willingness to sit still (I have a tendency to pace) atop a stone wall on the rim for nearly an hour. Behind me was a three foot drop to a nicely paved cement walkway. In front of me lay the Grand Canyon… and a possibility of falling a thousand feet to my death.

The thing which strikes one about the Grand Canyon is that it is so beautiful to distract you from whatever dangers you might face. With all the jokes passed about not going on the borough-ride for fear of getting the suicidal donkey, when presented with the Canyon itself even the most loquacious person is set into silence.

It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. Let me say that neither a picture nor words can express the experience of the Grand Canyon. To see a glimpse of it is akin to seeing a glimpse of God.

One of the things that I love about life is the opportunities it presents to a person. Some of these opportunities, such as those to cheat on your significant other, should be avoided on all costs. Other opportunities, such as going on a trip across the Western half of the United States with a couple of friends from Germany who are paying for your airfare and hotel, should be jumped at. Hence, when such an opportunity arose, I took it.

On one day, the exact date of which escapes my memory at this point in time, I found myself on the Grand Canyon’s south rim. I had seen Canyon Diablo (near Meteor Crater) and I had seen Canyon D’Chelley. I had not, however, seen something as awe inspiring as the Grand Canyon.

Although awe-inspiring is a trite recommendation for this, it is perhaps the only fitting one. A demonstration of the raw beauty of the vista was my willingness to sit still (I have a tendency to pace) atop a stone wall on the rim for nearly an hour. Behind me was a three foot drop to a nicely paved cement walkway. In front of me lay the Grand Canyon… and a possibility of falling a thousand feet to my death.

The thing which strikes one about the Grand Canyon is that it is so beautiful to distract you from whatever dangers you might face. With all the jokes passed about not going on the borough-ride for fear of getting the suicidal donkey, when presented with the Canyon itself even the most loquacious person is set into silence.

It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. Let me say that neither a picture nor words can express the experience of the Grand Canyon. To see a glimpse of it is akin to seeing a glimpse of God.