Grand is the perfect word for this HUGE canyon! The canyon is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. Nearly two billion years of Earth’s geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. While the specific geologic processes and timing that formed the Grand Canyon are the subject of debate by geologists, recent evidence suggests that the Colorado River established its course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago. Since that time, the Colorado River continued to erode and form the canyon to its present-day configuration.
We arrived at Mather Point which is at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. When we parked our car, we still couldn’t see the canyon. You walk only a short distance maybe the equivalent of a half a block and look over the edge and WOW! There it is in all it’s glory! We walked around a little bit there and were amazed at how beautiful it is. People from all over the world are there chatting in different languages. The first image shows what we saw when we arrived at Mather Point.
After that we took a helicopter ride over the canyon and for a few minutes we were flying over green trees as you see in the second image in my gallery. Just flat and trees. Then there it is….as a friend of mine called it a “huge crack in the ground” LOL. (That cracks me up.) The last image is another taken a little later during the ride and you can see a little portion of the Colorado River.
What a place! Grand indeed. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 2:08 am
Great shots Laura!
April 12, 2015 at 7:09 am
Thank you Julie. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 2:08 am
Wonderful Laura. You have so much consistency. I always know your photos are going to be great. My parents went to celebrate their 30 year anniversary.
April 12, 2015 at 7:10 am
What a nice compliment, Alex. Thank you so very much for saying this! How neat your parents went here for their anniversary. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 2:22 am
Reblogged this on rennydiokno.com.
April 12, 2015 at 7:10 am
Thank you for reblogging renny!
April 12, 2015 at 3:06 am
I adore the first one ☺
April 12, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Thank you! Sorry I’m so late in responding.
April 12, 2015 at 3:09 am
Reblogged this on rennydiokno.com.
April 12, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Thank you for the reblog. 😀
April 12, 2015 at 3:16 am
Wonderful photographs of a natural wonder.
April 12, 2015 at 7:11 am
Thank you Victor. It truly is a wonder!
April 12, 2015 at 3:52 am
A spectacular place and very beautiful images, Laura.
April 12, 2015 at 7:11 am
Thanks so much Mike!
April 12, 2015 at 4:12 am
Great post Laura. Beautiful photos and they are such majestic scenes. Thank you for sharing them. -m@x-
April 12, 2015 at 7:12 am
Thanks so much Max. I’m glad you can see the majesty.
April 12, 2015 at 4:16 am
Great shots and a useful bit of geological history
April 12, 2015 at 7:13 am
I’m glad someone reads it! I always like to put factoids in my blog it seems. Thank you Derrick. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 4:25 am
Great posting, Laura! You may now add travel photography to your long list of accomplishments!
April 12, 2015 at 7:13 am
Thanks so much! Ah yes, me the world traveler! 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 5:10 am
While I’m not convinced that photographs or film can ever convey the scale and majesty of the Grand Canyon, your images are among the best I’ve seen and you certainly capture and convey the colour and texture.
April 12, 2015 at 7:14 am
Why I’m certainly humbled by your comment Laura, thank you. I try to be original. It’s not always successful but I have fun trying!
April 12, 2015 at 5:13 am
There’s a lot of beauty there to capture and you did a magnificent job of doing so.
April 12, 2015 at 7:14 am
Thanks so much. It’s jaw-dropping!
April 12, 2015 at 6:09 am
Stunning images!
April 12, 2015 at 7:14 am
Thank you Cynthia!
April 12, 2015 at 6:21 am
I wish I could visit it some day!
Your pictures are stunning
April 12, 2015 at 7:15 am
Oh if you can, you wouldn’t be disappointed. It’s amazing!! Thank you. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 6:28 am
Very nice images, Laura. The Grand Canyon is not easy to photograph well, but you have succeeded here.
April 12, 2015 at 7:15 am
Thank you Robin! I take that as a high compliment coming from you. I only had lessee…4 hours to do it. Next time we are going to spend a longer time.
April 12, 2015 at 6:53 am
Imagine this, about ten feet down from the top man and woman has existed on the planet….
April 12, 2015 at 7:16 am
Oh I knowwwww!!!! The history of this place is incredible Juan! I wanted to type more factoids in the post but I figured I’d better get on with the images.
April 12, 2015 at 7:19 am
Dinosaurs were a third of the way down….
April 12, 2015 at 7:31 am
I was shocked when i found out it was I think something like 10,000 years ago! Incredible. I’d love to go to Mesa Verde too.
April 12, 2015 at 7:32 am
Are you folks there now.. Head to Sedona…
April 12, 2015 at 7:58 am
No we’ve been home for a week. Didn’t you see my post on Sedona?
April 12, 2015 at 8:01 am
no i didn’t and i thought i see every one of them? Rarely do I use this laptop so i rely on my iPhone.. it limits my reading… i’ll check it out
April 12, 2015 at 8:01 am
https://lauramacky.wordpress.com/2015/04/08/sedona-arizona/
April 12, 2015 at 8:02 am
WHAT? You don’t hang on every post??? lol I sent you the link.
April 12, 2015 at 7:38 am
Beautiful images Laura…..lovely light, colours and composition.
April 12, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Thank you Mark. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 7:41 am
These are beautiful photos Laura. This is one place that I have not been that I must see at some point. Thanks for sharing these pictures.
April 12, 2015 at 7:57 am
Thank you Dan. Oh and yes, it’s a place to be seen for sure. Such majesty and history!
April 12, 2015 at 8:02 am
BEAUTIFUL shot! Great job.
April 12, 2015 at 8:03 am
Thanks so much for your enthusiasm Rob. 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 9:10 am
Wonderful photos of a “grand” place…the more I see your photos the more I want to visit Arizona! 😉
April 12, 2015 at 3:06 pm
OMG Arizona is really amazing. I had no idea! Thank you Heather.
April 12, 2015 at 9:22 am
One word ➔ Beautiful!!
April 12, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Two words: THANK YOU!! 🙂
April 12, 2015 at 9:37 am
Simply superb…
April 12, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Thank you so much!
April 12, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Beautiful images, Laura! It’s nice to have you back.
April 12, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Thank you Pam. It’s nice to be back. 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 6:50 am
Awesome shots!
April 13, 2015 at 7:15 am
Thanks Pat!
April 13, 2015 at 7:17 am
superb pictures with great tones 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 7:23 am
Thanks so much Joshi. Have a great day. 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 7:44 am
Beautiful pictures!
April 13, 2015 at 7:49 am
Thank you Cathy 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 7:47 am
I enjoyed the lovely photos, Laura, and knowing a bit of the geology too. Light is fantastic in your photos. 😀
April 13, 2015 at 7:49 am
Thank you so much Jet. Glad you enjoyed the factoids. 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 8:13 am
It is grand indeed and never fails to WOW me no matter how many times I go there!
Tamara
April 13, 2015 at 8:18 am
Mother Nature is truly amazing.
April 13, 2015 at 8:55 am
and your inspiring images really display it’s grandeur. The colours are wonderful!! I guess a helicopter is the way to go! I’d love to see it! Great info too Laura.
April 13, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Thank you Hannah. Honestly it is just incredible there. And yes! Helicopter for sure. 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Wow Laura, I would not have seen this without your help. Thank you 😉
April 13, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Aww my pleasure, thank you for looking and enjoying!
April 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm
What wonderful mood and colouring you’ve got there Laura!
April 13, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Thank you Sarah. I’m glad you like what I’ve done. 🙂
April 14, 2015 at 4:42 am
Lots of images of the canyon really lack the colours and contrasts you got 🙂
April 14, 2015 at 8:44 am
Thank you so much Sarah. 🙂 I think one needs a lot of practice. I need to go back!
April 14, 2015 at 10:49 am
Oh absolutely 😉 lol x
April 13, 2015 at 7:11 pm
You have captured the wonder, beauty and grandeur of the place so perfectly Laura. It really is one of the wonders of the world. Have a great week 🙂
April 13, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Thank you Andrew. It is so magnificent!
April 13, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Light and shade. And that’s what’s it’s all about in a picture. Well done.
April 14, 2015 at 8:42 am
Thank you 🙂
April 14, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Amazing shots, Laura!
April 14, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Thank you so much Elen. 🙂
April 15, 2015 at 3:11 am
Ah these are fabulous Laura . Really … you’ve caught the magnificent scene before you in some stunning photographs here !
April 21, 2015 at 8:24 pm
I plan to visit the canyons sometimes within a year and your photos just make me want to go there now! ❤ I am yet to see it in person 🙂
April 21, 2015 at 8:25 pm
You will love it!! I was amazed at how big it is. I’m glad I could inspire! 🙂
April 21, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Yes I can’t wait! and yes your photos definitely inspired me 🙂 ❤
April 21, 2015 at 10:25 pm
😀