When I hit the road to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon National Park last month, I had one question on my mind: Is the Grand Canyon just as magical as people say?
Most people can attest that often stories they hear about popular places can sound much grander than how they are in reality. I was curious if a landmark like the Grand Canyon, deemed one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” would live up to the hype.
I set out on my journey of discovery with two of my tías – who had taken many of my cousins to see the Grand Canyon in the past – and I was excited that it was finally my turn.
With my camera in hand, I was ready to experience the landmark and see for myself if the stories and photos I’d seen did it justice.
Reflecting on the experience, I am thrilled to say that the majesty of the Grand Canyon is not at all overhyped. It was one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever had the opportunity to witness.
The gorgeous red, pink and orange rocks stretching for miles, the glimmer of sediment in the cliff faces when the sun hit them just right and the chirping of birds in the trees along the South Rim path stunned me. I was not prepared for just how incredible it was, and I snapped photos nonstop.
The animals of the Grand Canyon have stories to tell, perhaps none as interesting as the little squirrels running around along the fences and living in dirt at the edge of the cliffs. Often running around wild and taking food from curious visitors, the squirrels are quite comfortable with humans. One squirrel even chose one of my tías to lounge on for a few minutes, climbing all over her legs and trying to steal her water bottle.
We made the two-mile walk to Grand Canyon Village, which sits on the edge of a cliff and features one of the more open views of the canyon from the South Rim. Afternoon storms rolled in, cooling off the air and clearing out some of the popular viewpoints, making the place seem even more peaceful. I snapped a few photos before running to safety in a gift shop to prevent my camera from getting wet.
Words, as well as photos, fall short in expressing how it feels to see a sight like the Grand Canyon, but I hope my photo story demonstrates even a little bit of the pure magic such a feat of nature beholds. I am now yet another advocate for any and everyone to experience the incredible grandeur of the park for themselves.
Maria Fernandez is a freelance reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com
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