Top 10 Travel Experiences: The Grand Canyon

 The Grand Canyon

As I was trying to decide what would be the last experience I included on my Top 10 Travel Experiences over the last 25 years, I went back to the defining characteristics I was using the decide.  Experiences that brought feelings of awe and wonder.  An overwhelming sense of this being a special place, time, or significance.  Although I had been focusing on my international travels, I kept coming back to the feeling that I had when visiting the Grand Canyon.  

As referenced before, the first time I saw the canyon I began to sing "How Great Thou Art" to God for making such a beautiful place that inspires awe and wonder about the creator of this world and the universe.  I'm sure it is a similar feeling felt by astronauts from space.  Your mouth hangs open and you just say "wow."  That was me at the Grand Canyon and not just the first time, but every time I have visited over the years.  As you will be able to see from the pictures below, I have visited the Grand Canyon many times over the last 25 years - I would guess about 8 times.  Many times I brought my exchange students and one time I also include two nephews.  Almost every time we stayed inside the park to experience both sunrise and sunset.  I also liked to go during the off seasons - easier and cheaper to stay inside parks.  There is nothing like going outside your room and seeing the canyon at all hours of the day.  

Travel Tips:  When possible stay inside or close to the places you are visiting.  That is easier to do when you travel in the off season.  There where a couple of times that we visited during the winter time.  

Also, our National Parks are a true treasure of the United States of America.  I recommend visiting as many of them as possible.  Bring your children.  It will leave lasting memories and an appreciation of the beautiful world God has created for us.  

Here are some pictures of me and several exchange students and nephews who I brought to see this amazing wonder.  

"We are all starved for the glory of God, not self. No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem. Why do we go? Because there is greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self.”

- John Piper