I was going to begin my entry about the Grand Canyon with a big apology to my parents for yet another wonderful thing they took me to as a child that I don't remember... However! I spoke with them last night and they told me I was really young when we went there. Apology averted! ;)

Though it's not directly related to the GC, I have to say that when I was walking out of the W/M on Saturday morning with a couple supplies I'd forgotten to get the night before, I was overcome with a feeling of gratitude and well-being. I mean, more than just being happy to be off on my journey and headed toward a weekend of beauty -- I was literally walking through the W/M parking lot with tears squirting out because of this wave of emotion. It lasted most of the 60-mile drive into the park and then I guess it sort of fizzled away. Have you ever been overcome like that?

Some of the weekend highlights included a couple hour walk along the South Rim, an 8 or 9 mile hike into the canyon, trying not to laugh at the mom trying desperately to interest her teens in the view and directionally-challenged-me giving directions to someone -- and actually knowing what to tell them. If you want to read more about the weekend and see some pictures, click on the picture above.