I had never seen the Grand Canyon. Not shocking I know until you consider the fact that I lived my first 24 years in Arizona.
I have travelled all over the world and seen so many things, and yet, I never managed to make the drive a few hours North to see one of the Major Wonders of the World.
Now, in all honesty, I think I caught a glimpse of it once when I flew over it on my way to who knows where.
It has never been somewhere that I've really wanted to visit. I mean sure, it's a marvel of nature, but there are so many other places to see. My family is still in Arizona so I always figured I would see it, one day.
When I first moved to France and people would ask where I was from they would always tell me about their trip to the Grand Canyon. I would usually smile, nod along as if I shared their wonder and excitement.
Even during my labor with Noah, the doctor wanted to talk about the Grand Canyon. I get it, it's a big deal.
Well, I'm very happy to report that on our way back from Las Vegas I finally bit the proverbial bullet - we took a detour to see the Grand Canyon.
What this Southern Arizona girl forgot was that the Grand Canyon is in Northern Arizona, where it is cold and it snows.
I was completely unprepared for the weather. It was cold, and icy and I was well in a light coat and wasn't wearing appropriate footwear - but we had tacked on nearly two extra hours just to see it - so I should have been excited, right?
I was ecstatic - you can see it in my face.
We took some pictures. I might have "oohed" and "ahhed" before hobbling back to the warm car.
Now, don't me wrong, it was very impressive. Quite beautiful really. Still, I don't think I missed out on not having seen it for 30 years.
At least now, when I nod and smile when people talk to me about Arizona and the Grand Canyon, I can say honestly that I have been there.
I'm adding and simultaneously crossing this one off my bucket list.
Is there somewhere you have always wanted to go and never have, or like me somewhere you have never been and don't feel bad about it?
26 comments:
I've never been there either, though I've been to Vegas several times and my sister lived in Arizona for a few years. Meh, I'm like you, I could take it or leave it.
LOL! I have been and even though it was in May, it was much colder at night than we expected (we were on the North Rim camping) and Paul and I froze our butts off! Still, we had a lot of fun hiking there :-)
You should start a club and invite all the Parisians who've never been up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It's most of them. They'd probably fill the Grand Canyon!!
My visit to the Grand Canyon only resulted in another addition to the bucket list- to hike down into the Grand Canyon... I wasn't satisfied with the views from the top, I still want to experience it all from the bottom too! (But yay! that you've crossed it off yours!)
I'd say your good. I don't know of anything I haven't done. Although I have been to Chicago several times and I've never actually been to Navy Pier. I've seen it from a distance but never actually set foot on it.
See, I loved the Grand Canyon. I'd go back again in a heartbeat. Of course, I went in spring and I think it was much prettier then than your photos of it in winter make it look. I think you should go again, in the spring or early summer. I bet you'd like it more. =)
I went in high school and thought it'd be bigger!
Good for you going at last! I've always wanted to go but maybe do a helicopter tour. It always seems so far to schedule during our visits to Vegas but one year I want to center our trip around that!
you really look so cold on your photos. at least now despite the inappropriate clothing you can tell people you already went to grand canyon. :)
You are too funny! We went out there for a few days after we went to Vegas and loved it. I do think it's something you have to do at least once...glad you got to go! :)
I'd love to go there someday. I've traveled abroad more than I've traveled here in the US. I guess a part of me feels like the US is kind of boring, lol!
Oooh I loved the Grand Canyon! But we went in the summer so I can't say the cold was a factor. At some point it's so big you can't comprehend it.
Anyway, I always wanted to go to Paris (since I was a little girl) and happy to report we just booked our tickets to Paris in September! Yay!
I went and it was pretty. Growing up in D.C. I never went to see the Capitol or the White House. I ended up going with friends as an adult.
That's awesome!! It is on my bucket list for sure!
you're hilarious! I've never seen the Grand Canyon but I have seen Niagara Falls more times than I care to count.
I know I was blown away by the grand canyon when I saw it, although you're probably really used to hearing that. One thing I didn't do for ages was visit Lincoln Park Zoo for the zoo lights. It's FREE and absolutely beautiful but it took me 26 years to go, despite living less than 2 hours away most of my life.
Have a good weekend!
I was born and raised in my home country of Maldives, famous for the tourism and resorts. It was only two years ago that I actually went to one. Kids used to talk about going there back in school and I always had to tell them I've never been. And then they'd look at me weird.
I'd love to see the Grand Canyon. I hear good things :)
Thank you for coming to visit my blog on my SITS day! So excited to have found you. What a great blog. Can't wait to read more :)
Kerrie
www.familyfoodandtravel.com
This is why I'm all about the staycation because something huge like the Grand Canyon (really, is there anything bigger?) can be in the area and living everyday life, you might not ever see it.
Happy for you that you finally got to go, but it does look FREEZING! :)
We lived in 4 corners area in Colorado and then Arizona and yes have never seen the grand canyon either-- but I do want to as it does seem like one of those things you are "supposed" to see. And brr it does look cold!
Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm kind of the same where I tend to not really care if I see any of the local 'attractions'. Although nothing around here is anything as famous as the Grand Canyon. I appreciate natural beauty like this, but I don't get super excited about it.
We lived in Tucson for a few years when I was 12, 13 and 14. We did see the Grand Canyon but there were much more beautiful things about Arizona to me. The dessert for one.
I've been there- I forgot that it can get so cold. I want to take my husband and kids one day too. There a million places I haven't been yet. This one seems manageable and close. There are a few places I haven't been to Los Angeles and don't feel bad about! :)
I was in awe of the Grand Canyon when I first saw it. It quite literally took my breath away. We took a helicopter over it and I think will never forget how I felt when we went over the edge of the canyon and it was like the earth falling away!
PS. I'm your newest follower from Ireland. I enjoyed reading your blog posts.
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