Grand Canyon 2017 – Day One – Along the Rim

Shelley and I awoke on the Canyon rim that first morning to a balmy -14 degrees. Growing up in Minnesota this was not a problem for me. Even though I have spent more time in Missouri as of that point then I had in Minnesota.  All one needs to do is dress in layers. Also, keeping skin exposure to a minimum is a must. 

I rolled out of bed and decided to have a look around.  I layered up, slipped on my hiking boots, grabbed my slip-on ice cleats, and headed out the door of the Thunderbird Lodge. Once outside I slipped on my ice cleats, there was no need to take unnecessary risks this close to the Canyon rim.  The sound of cleats digging into the compacted snow and ice from what remained of the snowfall from earlier in the week broke the morning silence.  The air was brisk and clean.  It was easy to breathe in that cold air near the Canyon.  I walked from the lodge door to the rim trail. 

Shelley and I had arrived well after sunsets the previous day, and this was my first chance to see the Canyon.  The size and scale of the Grand Canyon are such that photographs can hardly do it justice.  There are no guard rails, nor lights, just a trail that runs within feet of the rim of the Canyon.  One wrong step and it is a long way down. As I was standing there next to the rim enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning sunrise. I was greeted by an elderly gentleman who was wearing only his robe and house slippers. We spoke good morning to one another. After which the old man said that his wife had told him “not to fall in” because he had decided to see the sunrise with slippers on instead of taking the time to put on the appropriate footwear.

He stated that his response to his wife was “I’ve waited all of life to see the Grand Canyon, either way, I win”.  After sharing the view in silence for another 15 minutes we both went back to our rooms in the lodge.  Below is a panoramic photograph of that view made later in the morning. When I felt that it was warm enough for the camera.