Grand views at Grand Canyon
In the before-times, a summer road trip was a pleasurable, even adventurous, undertaking. In the covid era it feels almost miraculous to pull off any kind of travel while adhering to federal and local health guidelines. But a few weeks ago I did, along with my husband and daughter. Having sheltered in place together since mid-March, with no indoor visits from anyone, not even our adult son (only outdoors, separated by 6 feet or more), we were eager to get out of the house and out of town if we could find a way that felt safe. Car travel was a given, and getting outdoors to enjoy nature appealed to us.
Cue an old-fashioned, all-American road trip. The day that Yosemite National Park reopened via a reservation system allowing for only 50% of normal car traffic, I booked our dates and started planning. We ended up making a 4,000-mile road trip through six national parks of the Southwest and West: Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Saguaro.
Our overstuffed Subaru stood in for a kitchen thanks to a big blue cooler and wicker picnic basket (a wedding gift from 30 years ago — still useful!), allowing us to avoid restaurants except the occasional drive-through or take-out. We ate outdoors at rest stops along the way, or in the car. Packing a stash of face masks, liquid hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes, and reserving hotels with first-floor rooms (no elevator required) or rooms that opened directly to the parking lot, we set off. Each time we checked into a hotel room, we wiped everything down, taking turns like Hermione, Harry, and Ron in performing the protective enchantments.
Was it worth it? Yes. We made it to Grand Canyon National Park on the second day. This was my third time to see Grand Canyon, 17 years after my last visit, when I rode a mule named Buttermilk to the bottom and back up. Every time I see it I am blown away. Photos cannot convey the epic grandeur of the canyon.
We wore masks whenever we were around other people, but alone we popped them off for a quick photo.
From the rim, the Grand Canyon plunges more than a mile down to the Colorado River, which continues its eons-long excavation of the canyon walls. At its widest point, the gulf is 18 miles across.
Striated red turrets and buttresses in the upper canyon make for awe-inspiring vistas.
Far below, the river wriggles like a green snake through the steep-sided inner canyon, visible from the rim only at certain vantage points.
We spent about an hour walking along the rim — a short visit, but we encouraged our daughter to return one day and explore at least a little of Bright Angel Trail descending into the canyon. Pink-filamented apache plume caught my eye as we headed for a good picnicking spot.
So pettable!
Farewell, you grand old canyon, until we meet again if I am so fortunate.
The next day we were off, crossing through California’s Mojave Desert under a vast blue dome, the distant lavender mountains of Mojave National Preserve jaggedly raking the sky.
Up next: Gigantic trees and black bears in Sequoia National Park.
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Digging Deeper
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All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I’m glad you were able to do this as a family while keeping protections in place, Pam. I suspect there will be a lot of people taking road trips this year and perhaps beyond. The RV industry will probably get a boost too.
I have heard as much, Kris, and for a millisecond I considered renting an RV for this trip. But that seemed more complicated and costly in terms of gas mileage. I’m pleased the car travel turned out so well, even with such a long trip.
What a wonderful trip, 4000 miles that is a lot of windshield time. I bet it felt wonderful to be out and about on your own schedule. These pictures brought back wonderful memories of our trip to the Grand Canyon. I would go back in a heartbeat if the opportunity presented itself.
While we were quite scheduled in terms of nightly hotels, which I booked ahead, a road trip does still offer plenty of opportunities to see things along the way. We hadn’t decided ahead of time to visit Grand Canyon, but we couldn’t resist detouring to see it again, especially with our daughter (she was 2 the first time we took her and had no memory of it). Of course spontaneity works only for some national parks right now. Others, like Yosemite, require advance reservations in order to visit.
What a telling phrase: “the before-times.” I hope the “after-times” arrive soon. I look forward to reading the next instalments of your road trip. A great opportunity to be outdoors and safe.
I hope the after-times arrive sooner than expected too, Pat. But realistically I fear it will be another year or more.
Thanks for the memories. It IS an amazing site. Got to go a few years ago- we did a circle through Dallas, Albuquerque, Flagstaff and Sedona. Wonderful watching the change in landscape! Look forward to seeing your Califormia pictures. We Love road trips but oh my too much preparation at this Covid time. Will look at your photos.
It is a good time for a virtual road trip, for sure. Your own journey sounds wonderful too!
What a beautiful trip for your family! Thank You for sharing your pictures. I also enjoy all our flower/plant pictures. I do not have a green thumb, but just like looking at what you do!! Thank you so much.
Thank you, Sharon! And don’t worry about the color of your thumb. Everyone kills lots of plants when gardening. Just keep planting! 🙂
Absolutely one of the most awe inspiring places on earth. Sounds like a great getaway!
Did you not take pictures in Joshua Tree? I realize the Mojave can be a difficult model. That’s primarily where I grew up and I’d love to see you do your magic with it.
But of course! We went to Joshua Tree on the way home, on the southern route. We really enjoyed it. Stay tuned for that post. And by the way, I had no idea you grew up around there!
Sounds like a good and serious roadtrip to break-up being at home. The Grand Canyon has many memories from the few trips I made when 5 hours away.
It’s a marvelous place.