My parents are taking me to the Grand Canyon.
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Yes, I have.Methoda said:
*Obligatory joke about our freedoms blowing your mind*
Well, that depends.
It's a canyon. That's very big. Some even consider it grand.What am i gonna see and etc. ?
I mean, you look in front of you and you see a canyon, to which you might be able to see the other side. You look to your left and it's all canyon to the horizon. You look to your right and it's all canyon to the horizon.
But, while you're in Arizona, I'd recommend you visit Slide Rock State Park [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_Rock_State_Park]. I remember that being fun.
End of part 2 is thoughts on the Canyon itself. The place I stayed is Mather Campground, right in Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim. Awesome.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/538.856220-Grand-Canyon-trip#21538193
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/538.856220-Grand-Canyon-trip#21538193
- Mar 31, 2010
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Another European here, I visited the Canyon a couple of years back. In the summer it was crazy hot so we started hiking down the Canyon before sunrise but I don't know what it'll be like in winter, hopefully cooler. The whole south-west area of the U.S. has the most impressive scenery I saw out there, if you have a chance to check out Monument Valley as it's like nothing else I've ever before or since.
Canadian here, visited it in the summer of '08. The Canyon is a seriously awesome piece of geography and there are numerous ways of experiencing it. As my family's schedule was limited, we didn't spend more than 7 hours at the canyon (and didn't get to go down into it ;~ but we still managed to drive from point of interest to point of interest on our own.
I would recommend getting down into the Canyon if you have the time, I really regret that I didn't get to. Also, even though it might be tempting, don't poke out over the safety barriers (if there are any where you stop) to see the drop for yourself. Too many tourists die because of the loose terrain near the edge of canyons and someone actually died in our area when we were going through. I did manage to get a monopod with my camera over the edge to take a pretty intense picture but I lost that photo on my old computer when it died. :/
Bring lots of water, slather on some sunscreen and enjoy a wonder of nature. Oh and thank Teddy Roosevelt [https://huckberry.com/journal/posts/teddy-saves-the-grand-canyon] while you're there. There's a reason there aren't active mining facilities scattered everywhere in there.
but we still managed to drive from point of interest to point of interest on our own.I would recommend getting down into the Canyon if you have the time, I really regret that I didn't get to. Also, even though it might be tempting, don't poke out over the safety barriers (if there are any where you stop) to see the drop for yourself. Too many tourists die because of the loose terrain near the edge of canyons and someone actually died in our area when we were going through. I did manage to get a monopod with my camera over the edge to take a pretty intense picture but I lost that photo on my old computer when it died. :/
Bring lots of water, slather on some sunscreen and enjoy a wonder of nature. Oh and thank Teddy Roosevelt [https://huckberry.com/journal/posts/teddy-saves-the-grand-canyon] while you're there. There's a reason there aren't active mining facilities scattered everywhere in there.
I live in the state that has that massive crack in the ground, so I've been there.
Bring water, and bring sun screen. It will get hot and you will cook. There's a sky walk that you should totally check out. You can walk on this platform made of glass and look down. It's pretty damn freaky, but it's worth the nerves.
I will echo what a few people have said and go down into the canyon. I know they have mule rides down, and it's a little pricey. I didn't do it the last time I was there, but it's pretty fun from what a few of my friends have said. Also, if you're staying there I really hope you're not a afraid of spiders. They be everywhere.
It's a huge tourist trap, so have fun! There's a lot of gimmicky things there, but it has a charm to it. If you're flying into Phoenix I suggest you pop over to Sedona. The rocks there during sunrise and sunset are amazing, and it's a pretty artsy town.
Bring water, and bring sun screen. It will get hot and you will cook. There's a sky walk that you should totally check out. You can walk on this platform made of glass and look down. It's pretty damn freaky, but it's worth the nerves.
I will echo what a few people have said and go down into the canyon. I know they have mule rides down, and it's a little pricey. I didn't do it the last time I was there, but it's pretty fun from what a few of my friends have said. Also, if you're staying there I really hope you're not a afraid of spiders. They be everywhere.
It's a huge tourist trap, so have fun! There's a lot of gimmicky things there, but it has a charm to it. If you're flying into Phoenix I suggest you pop over to Sedona. The rocks there during sunrise and sunset are amazing, and it's a pretty artsy town.
I visited the Grand Canyon some time ago as well. It snowed when I went there though, so my advice of packing something warm to wear probably won't apply. Try going to a group and meeting the local rangers, since I had fun doing that. Be careful of the rest of Arizona I suppose, since I didn't enjoy the rest of the State as I did the Grand Canyon.
More than anything else enjoy the scenery.
More than anything else enjoy the scenery.
You're going to see a large ditch.Methoda said:Hi there. Has has anyone been to the Grand Canyon. I have never travelled to another continent before and i am from Europe. My parents are taking me there in a couple of months. Is it worth it? What am i gonna see and etc. ?
That's about it.
Sorry. Our parents did it to us, too. It's really pretty and worth seeing, but only once.
My family stopped there on a cross country trek from Houston to Washington state. We arrived late in the afternoon and only stayed about an hour or so.Methoda said:Hi there. Has has anyone been to the Grand Canyon. I have never travelled to another continent before and i am from Europe. My parents are taking me there in a couple of months. Is it worth it? What am i gonna see and etc. ?
The Grand Canyon is big. Seriously big. Coming from the coastal plains I was accustomed to highway overpasses being the highest points in the county. Driving West left me goggling at mountains (which I'd never seen in real life) that were snow capped even in the middle of summer.
We made good time and the temperature when we reached the Grand Canyon wasn't bad--especially since twilight fell while we were there. Others here--especially Fiz who lives in the state--correctly describe the weather as hot and dry. Given that I was accustomed to 95F temperatures with 95% humidity about 8 to 9 months out of the year (Trivia facts--before they drained everything most of the Houston Gulf Coast was a swamp. Until indoor air conditioning was invented the British/English embassy gave diplomats, etc, bonus "hardship" pay because it was so miserable a place to live) I didn't find the climate bothersome.
But if you hail from Europe you probably will. It isn't as bad in the winter but listen to Fiz and drink lots of liquids and use sunscreen.
It IS a tourist trap. The tourist shop we visited had serapes (blankets) woven by local Native American tribes that cost upwards of $700 to $800--and this was back in the early 80's when $100 was a LOT of money. If you're looking to buy souvenirs then expect to pay top dollar for them: I doubt they'll accept Euros
If you're there long enough for a mule ride down into the canyon you'll enjoy it, though your rear end may see fit to argue if you're unaccustomed to riding animals. I wish we had had the time to do that.
Have fun!
Yes I've been. YES it's worth it.
Pictures cannot adequately make you understand just how MASSIVE that thing is, and by the time you get to Hermit's Rest and see the view there, you'd normally think you'd be jaded by it, but nope, it will STILL blow your mind.
Also, be sure to get lemonade once you hit Hermit's Rest. Trust me, it'll make things all the sweeter.
...Honestly, I want to go back someday. It was a totally amazing experience, even WITH the sunburn my neck got.
Pictures cannot adequately make you understand just how MASSIVE that thing is, and by the time you get to Hermit's Rest and see the view there, you'd normally think you'd be jaded by it, but nope, it will STILL blow your mind.
Also, be sure to get lemonade once you hit Hermit's Rest. Trust me, it'll make things all the sweeter.
...Honestly, I want to go back someday. It was a totally amazing experience, even WITH the sunburn my neck got.
Short sleved?Barbas said:
It is currently a high of 67*F aka 19*C and a low of 33*F aka 0.5*C. Maybe longer sleeves? Also the glass area is great to find out who is afraid of heights and failed to tell anyone.
Are you gong to be at the canyon for the whole time or are you going around the state and surrounding ones?Methoda said:Hi there. Has has anyone been to the Grand Canyon. I have never travelled to another continent before and i am from Europe. My parents are taking me there in a couple of months. Is it worth it? What am i gonna see and etc. ?
Lots of touristy stuff in Arizona and the drive from phoenix to the Grand canyon is a vast bunch of nothingness that changes drastically.
Enjoy freedom, and airport security.
Place not to go:
[link]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why,_Arizona[/link]
Now to prove my fat american ass in american food to eat:
Grimaldis Pizza [link]https://www.grimaldispizzeria.com/[/link]
The Sugar Bowl [link]http://www.sugarbowlscottsdale.com/[/link]
Islands [link]http://www.islandsrestaurants.com/[/link]
One of us. One of us. 'Murica!
The biggest thing is to make sure you see as much as you can while your here. Its obviously a big trip to get from Europe to the Western US so you have to live it up while your here. I'd recommend making a road trip of sorts out of it. See the grand canyon and enjoy the natural parks and such in Arizona and especially Southern Utah. I've been to the area before and there is a lot to see so I recommend it highly. If you are feeling up to it I'd also recommend some backpacking and hiking, to me thats the best stuff. The Western US is a really beautiful area, so you gotta enjoy it.
Also, I'd highly recommend trying to get into some of the local native culture and southwestern culture. Its very different from anywhere in Europe and worth looking into. Also; southwestern food is amazing. Get that stuff.
Also if you don't mind me asking, whats your 'range' per se? How far away from the Grand Canyon are you going to be able to go? Do you know people here?
Also, I'd highly recommend trying to get into some of the local native culture and southwestern culture. Its very different from anywhere in Europe and worth looking into. Also; southwestern food is amazing. Get that stuff.
Also if you don't mind me asking, whats your 'range' per se? How far away from the Grand Canyon are you going to be able to go? Do you know people here?
it gonna be cold as hell in utah until like mid april so dress very warm. also, bring a camera. also, have a good time m8 welcome to murica.
So if I keep my mouth closed I can cross for free?Barbas said:
OT: I have never been but I would like to. I have heard mixed things from people I know who have been, a couple have said "It's just a really big hole" others have gone on about how "It's an Epic landscape where you feel the awesome powers of nature which went to form it".
I hope when I do go that my reaction is the latter...