Naomi Smith, the fourth child of six Smith kids, shares her knowledge, experience and photography of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Her mom, Sheri, ends the article with tips to keep the trip safe and enjoyable for all.
Author: Naomi
Smith
1/13/14
The Grand Canyon
is just as it sounds; it’s a huge and grand canyon!
is just as it sounds; it’s a huge and grand canyon!
This canyon
stretches 277 miles through the Colorado Plateau. The Canyon is 18 miles in
diameter, in the widest places, and 1 mile vertical.
stretches 277 miles through the Colorado Plateau. The Canyon is 18 miles in
diameter, in the widest places, and 1 mile vertical.
Going through
the middle of the canyon is the Colorado River. The Colorado River may appear
small from the top of the Canyon, but actually the river’s smallest part, in
the Grand Canyon, is 76 feet across! Its biggest part is 300 feet across! This
river is extremely dangerous in some parts of it. Only the bravest boaters go
on it.
the middle of the canyon is the Colorado River. The Colorado River may appear
small from the top of the Canyon, but actually the river’s smallest part, in
the Grand Canyon, is 76 feet across! Its biggest part is 300 feet across! This
river is extremely dangerous in some parts of it. Only the bravest boaters go
on it.
There are
several options on seeing the canyon. You could take a white water raft ride,
soar over it in a helicopter, drive your own car, take a mule into the canyon
on a tour, ride a bike, or even take a bus. There are many cool things to do
there. There is a junior ranger program
available for kids.
several options on seeing the canyon. You could take a white water raft ride,
soar over it in a helicopter, drive your own car, take a mule into the canyon
on a tour, ride a bike, or even take a bus. There are many cool things to do
there. There is a junior ranger program
available for kids.
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| Helicopter over the Grand Canyon |
When my family
and I went to the Grand Canyon, we drove in on the South Rim, from the east
side. On the drive into the canyon there are several view points. When you get
into the canyon and step out on to the first Grand Canyon view point you will
be close, or on the canyon’s rim! It is pretty cool! The color is awesome,
providing some great pictures.
One of my favorite locations in the canyon is the
Desert View point. The Desert View is located pretty close to the start of the
entrance on the east side of the canyon. It got its name for the great
view of the desert. It is very beautiful. There is also a tower there that is
modeled off of an Indian watch tower, which is 70 feet tall. It was
designed in the 1920’s,by
Desert View point. The Desert View is located pretty close to the start of the
entrance on the east side of the canyon. It got its name for the great
view of the desert. It is very beautiful. There is also a tower there that is
modeled off of an Indian watch tower, which is 70 feet tall. It was
designed in the 1920’s,by
 |
| Desert View Watchtower |
a lady named Mary Jane Colter. Inside of the
tower there is a gift shop. My favorite part of it was getting to climb
the tower. There are 4 or 5 levels in it. At each level there are several
windows to get a really great view. The top level is really, really high
up. On the tower there is a porch that you can go look around on. There is an
old looking table on the porch. There is also several mirror things that you
can look into that makes the canyon look upside down! It’s pretty neat!
There is another
place that is cool to go see, the Tusayan Ruins. There are some real
Native American ruins that you can go walk around by on a trail. There is also
a visitor center there. The ruins are very close to the visitor center.
place that is cool to go see, the Tusayan Ruins. There are some real
Native American ruins that you can go walk around by on a trail. There is also
a visitor center there. The ruins are very close to the visitor center.
In the Grand
Canyon there are 50 different species of reptiles. Some animals you might
see are lizards, Grand Canyon pink rattlesnake, and rock squirrels, just to
name a few. Every trip to the Grand Canyon you will probably notice something
new.
Canyon there are 50 different species of reptiles. Some animals you might
see are lizards, Grand Canyon pink rattlesnake, and rock squirrels, just to
name a few. Every trip to the Grand Canyon you will probably notice something
new.
It’s truly a
Grand Canyon!
Grand Canyon!
Grand Canyon
Tips from Sheri Smith(Smith family Mom)-
Tips from Sheri Smith(Smith family Mom)-
High winds come
up from the canyon bottom often. We kept our children far back from the
edges. Fences are in some locations, but we still kept a hold of them.
up from the canyon bottom often. We kept our children far back from the
edges. Fences are in some locations, but we still kept a hold of them.
 |
The east side of
the park is much quieter than the west. Fewer people are at the view
points and it made our exploring more enjoyable.
the park is much quieter than the west. Fewer people are at the view
points and it made our exploring more enjoyable.
We had a
wonderful time bringing sketch pads and chalk drawing pencils to draw the
views. The kids remembered that activity more than the others.
wonderful time bringing sketch pads and chalk drawing pencils to draw the
views. The kids remembered that activity more than the others.
The campground
on the east of the park was a great place for us to stay. It was
inexpensive and close for exploring.
on the east of the park was a great place for us to stay. It was
inexpensive and close for exploring.
Everyone says
the north rim is prettier than the south rim. I wouldn’t know because I
have never been there. Almost every time we have visited the Grand Canyon
the north rim closes because of winter. It is around 8000’ so winter
lasts a long time.
the north rim is prettier than the south rim. I wouldn’t know because I
have never been there. Almost every time we have visited the Grand Canyon
the north rim closes because of winter. It is around 8000’ so winter
lasts a long time.
The kids enjoyed
the Junior Ranger program.
the Junior Ranger program.
My oldest son
loved reading the Death at the Grand Canyon book and sharing all of the scary
stories for us. He told us many people die while taking pictures and
young men peeing off the side. Interesting.
loved reading the Death at the Grand Canyon book and sharing all of the scary
stories for us. He told us many people die while taking pictures and
young men peeing off the side. Interesting.
There are somany amazing things to see and do there that it is hard to spend just one day
there. Try to have a few to explore.
It can get cold
there, even in summer. Be sure to pack a light hat and gloves just in
case.
there, even in summer. Be sure to pack a light hat and gloves just in
case.
Bring extra
water. It is higher elevation than most of us are used to. I got
elevation sickness when I went there during my 5th pregnancy. Take is
slow, drink water, and watch the kids. They can get dehydrated quickly.
water. It is higher elevation than most of us are used to. I got
elevation sickness when I went there during my 5th pregnancy. Take is
slow, drink water, and watch the kids. They can get dehydrated quickly.
The sun is
strong up there. Wear some kind of hat and long sleeve shirt. We
try not to use sun block too much and instead keep our face and arms protected
with light clothing and hats. We do use it when necessary, though.
The bottom of
the canyon can get extremely hot. Research before planning a trip.
the canyon can get extremely hot. Research before planning a trip.
There are manydangerous creatures there including rattlesnakes and mountain lions. Keep
kids close and on the trails. While we were at Custer State Park in SD, a
mountain lion was found on the most popular trail, right next to the
road. The trail was paved and well used and was also the handicapped
trail. So, having people around and often does not make it safe from
predators.
There are elk
there and they can also attack so be careful if you stop to take a
picture. Also, the big horn sheep can get a little crazy if provoked.
there and they can also attack so be careful if you stop to take a
picture. Also, the big horn sheep can get a little crazy if provoked.
Basically, have
fun but be smart.
fun but be smart.
It is not a
playground.
playground.
Being
responsible will add to your experience and not to statistics
responsible will add to your experience and not to statistics
10 Things About
the Grand Canyon
the Grand Canyon
1. The Grand
Canyon Village was built in 1905.
Canyon Village was built in 1905.
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| Desert View Watchtower |
2. The
California condor has a 9 and a ½ foot wingspan making them North America’s
largest bird. They
can be seen in The Grand Canyon.
California condor has a 9 and a ½ foot wingspan making them North America’s
largest bird. They
can be seen in The Grand Canyon.
3. The
California condor is seen along the rim of the canyon in-between Trailview
Overlook and Grand Canyon Village.
California condor is seen along the rim of the canyon in-between Trailview
Overlook and Grand Canyon Village.
4. Powell
Point is a really good place to the watch the sunset.
Point is a really good place to the watch the sunset.
5. The Abyss in the canyon has 3,000 feet of sheer cliffs.
6. Two of the biggest rapids, in the canyon, are visible from Pima Point.
7. The Colorado River is 1,450 miles long.
8. The rafts you see from Desert View have been in the Colorado
River for 3- 7 days.
9. The more secluded areas at the Rim to the west, most, require a
4- wheel drive vehicle.
10. In the
Grand Canyon most of the peaks are covered with Coconino sandstone.
Grand Canyon most of the peaks are covered with Coconino sandstone.
Pictures above from Desert View watchtower
All photography is by Naomi Smith.
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