When we drove from the Phoenix area to Flagstaff and then the Grand Canyon, I was a tiny bit concerned the altitude would bother me, but I had no problems at all. Good thing, considering elevations average 7000 feet (2134 m) above sea level at the South Rim where we were. The North Rim opens May 15. I didn’t realize they closed it in the winter because of heavy snow.
What surprised me the most was that you can practically drive to the edge of the Grand Canyon. There’s just a low stone wall with an occasional railing.
Normally, heights bother me, but the canyon didn’t faze me at all. I think because it looks kind of surreal. But one place you won’t find me: the glass walkway on the Western Rim….
via grandcanyonwest
Just looking at this photo creeps me out. You can actually see the bottom of the Grand Canyon from the walkway and it’s 2000 feet down.
These views were enough for me….
This is Hopi House, built in 1905 so tourists could observe Hopi artisans at work and purchase their goods. It’s still a gift shop today.
The Hopi and their ancestors are called Ancestral Puebloans because they lived in permanent, multi-level stone pueblos. They have inhabited the Grand Canyon area for millennia.
El Tovar Hotel, also built in 1905. Famous guests included Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, playwright George Bernard Shaw, author Zane Grey, and telegraph inventor Guglielmo Marconi. You can eat lunch there with great views of the canyon.
I took this one with my iPhone, so the colors are a bit different.
I want to return in the near future and shoot the canyon at sunrise and/or sunset. It’s supposed to be even more beautiful then.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Gorgeous pics! But to add to your comment about being on the walkway- that would be an emphatic HELL NO from me! Hahahahaha – just call me Mrs Chicken.
LOL, Susan!
I would not be on that walkway for sure! Stunning!
All I would be able to think about is “what if it collapses?” Plus I would have extreme vertigo.
Yes!!
Grand Canyon has always been for me a very spiritual place, thank you for sharing dear friend. I shall go there soon as well.
I think you will love it, Cornelia.
Wow, how gorgeous! Just looking at me makes my heart jump, this place has some magical power, you would like to stay there and just look endlessly!
I flew over the walkway in a helicopter yet couldn’t have done the walkway. Must be my faith in engines!!!
I’m fine in helicopters too!
Spectacular. Like you, I don’t think I’d go on the glass walk way. I’ve read about it but never saw a photo. I just love how many hues the stone has.
I love all the colors too, Caroline. They changed as the day went on.