07 Mar A Photo Essay: The Grand Canyon
Just like so many others, the Grand Canyon has been on my list to visit for what feels like an eternity. Well, the cards finally aligned and we made the trip in February. With the stunning colors, small patches of snow, and miles of untouched landscape, we were amazed every direction we turned. The beauty is even more than we could have ever imagined!
I do have to say though, I have slightly mixed feelings about our winter visit–don’t get me wrong, it was absolutely amazing, but due to lack of time, equipment and icy trails, we couldn’t actually hike inside the canyon and were confined to the rim. We did know ahead of time that the hiking may not work in our favor this time, but once we arrived, we wanted nothing more than to go off and explore! That’s definitely our own fault though, and we should have been better prepared. All I know is next time, we are definitely going rafting down the Colorado River and hiking/camping at the bottom of the canyon.
One aspect of visiting the canyon in the winter that we really loved, was the lack of people. We were there in the middle of the week as well, so I’m sure that helped with limiting the crowds, too. Of course, we saw a few people most everywhere we went, but there were so many moments of seclusion and peacefulness in nature. We loved playing with perspective and took many goofy photos and videos, and we really enjoyed staring out into the silent, vast wilderness, especially at night with the full moon and starry sky. We even happened upon 20 or so moose that wanted to play in the road–too bad we didn’t have a camera handy for that moment! The Grand Canyon was incredibly beautiful and serene, and we can’t wait to get back again soon! Until next time, here’s a look at our wintery trip to the Grand Canyon:
Anissa
Posted at 12:01h, 07 MarchLooks amazing! I especially love the last picture!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:46h, 17 MarchThanks, Anissa!! 🙂
Sand In My Suitcase
Posted at 14:50h, 07 MarchTwitter: SandInSuitcase
Sounds like you’ll just have to visit the Grand Canyon again when it’s warmer :-).
Sand In My Suitcase recently posted…Art and wine at Art Walk San Jose del Cabo
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:46h, 17 MarchDefinitely! I’m already trying to plan a return trip 🙂
Oliver
Posted at 08:47h, 08 MarchTwitter: coffeestainedJ
Stunning colours indeed! Quite a remarkable diversity of impressions and the vastness and remoteness of these places incredibly well captured, thanks for taking us along… 🙂
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Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:56h, 17 MarchThank you! It’s such a beautiful spot!
Dave Briggs
Posted at 15:06h, 08 MarchThere’s some gorgeous photos there! I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, but this has really inspired me to go!
Dave Briggs recently posted…How Much Does It Cost to Cycle Around the World?
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:59h, 17 MarchThanks!! You should definitely visit if you are in the area–it’s even better in person!
Daidri
Posted at 21:44h, 09 MarchTwitter: theegetawgal
Absolutely stunning pictures! I’ve looked through them a couple times.
Sometimes we can’t experience everything on one trip and that may not be so bad, you never know what may await you the next time around. Not a bad place to visit more than once!
Daidri recently posted…Hiking Kilauea Iki Trail In Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:02h, 17 MarchThat’s so true–definitely a good way to look at it 🙂 We are hoping to head back soon! And, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the photos!
Taylor
Posted at 08:14h, 10 MarchTwitter: worldtrippinit
I love the grand canyon, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Glad you got to go when there weren’t many people, even though you could really do any hiking. That just gives you an excuse to go back!
Taylor recently posted…Costa Rican Adventure: Part 2
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:03h, 17 MarchExactly! Great excuse to go back 🙂 Yeah, I was really glad we got to see it without so many people–I think I enjoyed it much more that way!
Marysia
Posted at 15:16h, 10 MarchTwitter: mytravelaffairs
Great pictures guys, reminds me a nice trip, 2 months in the West Coast! A lot of fun! And at first I didn’t recognized it was snow! Wow! Cool!
Marysia recently posted…10 Things about Chernobyl You didn’t Know
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:04h, 17 MarchYa it was fun to see some snow there! 2 months–that’s great–must have been fun! 🙂
Charli
Posted at 19:26h, 10 MarchTwitter: WanderlustersUK
I’m so pleased you’ve posted this! We’re going to be living in LV for 6 weeks over the summer and I can’t wait to get back to the Grand Canyon to explore a little more. We spent 2 weeks circumnavigating the rim in 2008 but our photography skills were lacking and so we didn’t capture it on film! Great photo essay!!
Charli recently posted…Wanaka River Journeys In The Matukituki Valley
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:08h, 17 MarchThanks! Don’t you hate that? I want to revisit so many places now because I don’t have good photos from previous trips! Sounds like fun spending 2 weeks there though! Hope you have fun this time around too!
elaine schoch
Posted at 14:06h, 11 MarchTwitter: elaineschoch
Great photos! We’re planning a road trip this summer and plan to go to the Grand Canyon – looks amazing!
elaine schoch recently posted…15 Things You (I) May Not Have Known About Beaumont TX
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:14h, 17 MarchThank you! It would be a great road trip spot. Hope you have fun!
Beth
Posted at 07:55h, 13 MarchTwitter: besudesuabroad
I feel like such a bad American for never having been to the Grand Canyon! I need to change this soon.
Beth recently posted…The Many Architectural Styles of Malaysia
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:19h, 17 MarchI always felt like that too! 🙂 It’s funny how the things closest to us seem to take so long to actually visit!
Ron
Posted at 15:31h, 13 MarchTwitter: actplanettravel
Breathtaking photos; reminds me of Waimea Canyon out in Kauai, Hawaii. I can’t wait to visit the Grand Canyon myself one day!
Ron recently posted…Going Underground in Nepal: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:21h, 17 MarchReally? That’s great–I want to visit Kauai even more now!
Bret
Posted at 07:19h, 18 MarchTwitter: GreenGlobalTrvl
I’ve gotta say, we LOVE visiting tourist attractions in the off season as well. I can’t stand have to jostle and jockey for position amongst hundreds/thousands of people trying to get the same souvenir photo. I’ve never visited the Grand Canyon for that very reason, but winter looks like the perfect time for me. I especially love the photos of Native American art and the night sky!
Bret recently posted…“Improve Your Writing” & “Blogging for Business”: GGT Expands Mentorship Packages
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 09:25h, 21 MarchThanks! And yeah, I know what you mean–pushy, crowded attractions are never quite the same. Love having places to ourselves 🙂 We loved it there in the winter. It was so peaceful and quiet!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking the Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona, AZ