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The Grand Canyon

My family and I just took a trip to the Grand Canyon. I spent hours on-line trying to figure out how to see it, where to stay and how long to stay.

Since we are not big hikers, we decided to stay 1 night, and figured that we would have enough time to see everything there is to see. On the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, there are really 3 options of where to stay:

• Williams, AZ - about an hour south of the entrance to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Lots of hotels/motels, lots of restaurants, lots of services in general and the starting point for the Grand Canyon Railway (which is, as I understand it, a great way to see the canyon). Hotel prices range from cheap to moderate.
• Grand Canyon Village (or Tusayan, AZ) - just a few minutes south of the entrance to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. There are only 4 hotels, very few restaurants and only 1 gas station. Hotel prices are much higher here than in Williams, especially during peak season. From what I understand, there will soon be a shuttle from here into the park.
• Inside of the Park - There are several hotels inside of the Grand Canyon south rim, all of them operated by Xanterra. For the most part, they are older and probably need refurnishing, but they are very convenient. There is a shuttle within the park so that you can get from one point to another fairly easily.

Since we were getting to the park in the late afternoon, and wanted to see Sunset and then go back again in the morning, staying in Williams didn't seem logical since we would have to drive an hour each way. Initially, I booked a room in the park, but after reading a few reviews, I booked with the Holiday Inn in Grand Canyon Village (which included breakfast). This was a mistake, but nor for the reason you might expect.

The hotel was OK (nothing spectacular, but it was mostly clean), but it turns out that if you are just there to see the Grand Canyon, and not hike down it, you do not need to stay overnight at all! I mean, it is spectacular and all, but how long can you stare at a giant hole in the ground? Further, I don't think that the South Rim is really the place to view the Grand Canyon. We had much more fun, and had better views (including views of the mighty Colorado River) from the little-known EAST rim. Just follow highway 64 North into the park, and then follow it East about 1/2 mile south of the visitor's center (sure, you can stop at Mather's Point and the visitor's center if you like.)

The drive on the East Rim is fantastic. First, you can see the canyon from the road, as you drive, Second, there are many points and turn-outs for great views and pictures. Third is the Watchtower - a 70 foot stone watchtower that offers spectacular views of the canyon and the river, and lastly, the lack of crowds. Everyone heads to the South Rim while the East Rim remains fairly empty.

Note that if you want to go to the North Rim (where the SkyWalk is) or if you want to hike (or burro) down into the canyon, this info is not for you. But if, like us, you just want to see it and walk around a bit, this is definitely the way to do it.

Why is this Blog here?

It seems that I encounter some new piece of random information every day. Most of it, I have realized, is forgotten almost as soon as I find out about it. This blog will be a place for me to record these random bits of information. It is actually more for me, so that I can remember stuff, that it is for you, but feel free to read and enjoy. You can also leave any comments tha tytou may have.