On this trip The Canyon was everything we had planned for, and more—of course. It is so huge, so vast, so overwhelming that it is always difficult to describe. So it doesn’t surprise me that, at times, we didn’t even notice The Canyon. We became immersed in its detail, the finer points, the small parts that make up the whole. The view from the top, as most people see it, stirs awe and wonder. A closer look, from inside, builds respect and highlights the intricacies and the complex nature of this high desert canyon environment.

The Canyon is not just a splendid view. It is not lists of statistics, geological time charts, nor hordes of gawking tourists. The Grand Canyon is a dynamic, thriving ecosystem awaiting those who would venture down into the pages of its living book.

We had been among those tourists on the rim, speculating and dreaming and planning our journey. We prepared ourselves physically by months of exercise and weekends spent hiking the canyon trails near Tucson and within the National Parks and Monuments of southern Arizona. The time had come to test our endurance and to learn what The Canyon might offer.

This was our last day of work before the trip. We struggled through our normal routines, then raced home to complete our preparations: two full backpacks, two sleeping bags, two pairs of boots, two walking sticks, one camera, and a single suitcase. We were traveling light, for a change.

We had made arrangements with Anne’s sister, Janine, to come by the house every other day to collect our mail, feed and water our two cats, and to water the plants. With everything set, we went to bed early.

Next > Saturday, June 8, 1991 (South Rim)