When I left for Arizona last month to visit Grand Canyon National Park, I had one question on my mind: Is the Grand Canyon really as magical as people say it is?
Most people can attest that the stories they hear about popular places often sound much more grandiose than they actually are, and I was curious to see if a site like the Grand Canyon, considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” lived up to the hype.
I set off on a journey of discovery with my two grandmothers, who had taken my cousins ​​to the Grand Canyon many times in the past and were excited that finally it was my turn.
Camera in hand, I was ready to experience the sights and see for myself whether the stories and photos I had seen proved their worth.
Looking back on this experience, I am pleased to say that the grandeur of the Grand Canyon was not exaggerated: it was one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever had the opportunity to see.
I was blown away by the beautiful red, pink and orange rocks that stretched for miles, the way the sediments on the cliff faces sparkled when the sun hit them just right, and the birds chirping in the trees along the South Rim trail. I never expected how amazing it was, and I kept taking photos.
The animals of the Grand Canyon have stories to tell, but none are more interesting than the tiny squirrels that scurry along the fences or live in the dirt on the cliff edges. Although the squirrels run wild and often steal food from curious visitors, they are also very friendly towards humans. One squirrel lay on one of my tiers for a few minutes, then climbed up her legs and tried to steal my water bottle.
We walked two miles to Grand Canyon Village, which sits on the edge of the cliffs and offers one of the most open views of the canyon from the South Rim. An afternoon storm had come in, chilling the air and bringing a dusting of snow to some of the more popular viewpoints, making the site seem even more serene. We snapped a few photos before retreating to the gift shop to keep our cameras dry.
While words and images are inadequate to capture the emotion of seeing a view like the Grand Canyon, I hope my photo stories convey even a little of the pure magic of such a natural feat. I am now an advocate for everyone to experience the incredible grandeur of this park for themselves.
Maria Fernandez is a freelance reporter for Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at culture@dailylobo.com.
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