Sunrise, Sunset.... Canyon style!

During our entire trip, I couldn't stop thinking of this clip from the Flintstones cartoon - enjoy! 

We slept surprisingly well last night and woke up to catch the 5:30 am shuttle to see the sunrise at Hopi Point. Here's a picture with the moon while we waited in the wind for about an hour:

It's hard to look at the sun and take good photos because it's so backlit, but the reflection of the changing colors on the Canyon rocks is incredible. Also, it felt even bigger than yesterday with all the clouds gone. 

We were told there would be tons of people, but only one tour bus stopped and joined us. Here's the sun finally rising!

After watching the sunrise, we walked down to Powell Point as Hopi is only a one way drop off. We picked up the shuttle back to the Village and walked back to our hotel. We organized ourselves, packed up, and checked out. We then grabbed breakfast at the Maswik Lodge cafeteria again. I ordered a chicken fried steak, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich - but they only had sandwich bread and no rolls. So they gave me a croissant which I thought was a culture clash with the chicken fried steak, but also tasty. A photo of my fusion breakfast:

After breakfast, we made our way to the Bright Angel Trailhead. It's very accessible and the most popular. Here's a collage of the Upper Tunnel:

And here's one of me at the Lower Tunnel:

The views were spectacular and being in the Canyon was so different from looking down into it. Here's Yoonjoo enjoying the views, a photo of us, and one of me on the trail:

Hiking in the Grand Canyon is interesting because it is the reverse of what you're used to. You have to save your energy for the return up and we saw many folks running down which I think they'll regret later. Originally, I wanted to hike down to Indian Gardens which is about 6-9 hours round trip. But with our schedule and the fact that I was struggling a little with the elevation, we opted for the 1.5 mile rest house hike which is supposed to take 2-4 hours. Here's a photo of Yoonjoo in the rest house:

It took us less than an hour to get down and about 1.5 hours to get back up. We were told to budget double the time coming back up which is pretty steep. But we were done in less than 2.5 hours total and enjoyed many views as we rested on our ascent. 

After our hike, we drove about 25 miles east to Desert View Watchtower where we had a late lunch at the Trading Post. Yoonjoo ate a chili dog and I had a bread bowl chili. It was actually quite tasty and nourishing after our hike. Here's our meal:

Desert View Watchtower is a historical landmark and has 360 degree views of the eastern part of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Here's a watchtower collage and some views including several ravens that entertained us:

After our two days, I truly feel that we maximized the Grand Canyon. Perhaps we could have hiked more or done a mule ride, but considering our trip length and the energy to hike, I think we did an awesome job in adapting to the weather and taking it all in. I was sad to leave the Grand Canyon, but I have completed something that's been on my bucket list for a long time. 

Although my legs were a bit tired from the day, I powered through with some singing and tea, for a two hour drive to Page, Arizona. The scenery was unbelievable and the roads very straight. Here's a collage, although I wished we could have stopped and taken some proper photos of the landscape:

We included Page so we could visit a Slot Canyon which we're doing tomorrow, but also to see Horseshoe Bend. This is where the Colorado River meanders in a horseshoe shape in the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area.

So after checking into our hotel, the Courtyard Marriott, we drove a few miles to the parking area. You then walk a little less than a mile to the viewpoint on steep cliffs, looking down at the river. There were tons of people waiting for sunset and many were sitting a little too close to the edge. There were also a lot of bugs as it was dusk. If I had known, I would have brought bug spray. You can even see them in the photo:

However it was worth the short trail walk and timing our departure from the Grand Canyon to see this unique formation. Here are a few photos at sunset:

Following all our adventures and drive today, we decided to explore the town of Page which is quite small and had dinner at State 48 Tavern, a Gastropub recommended by our hotel clerk. Upon entering, you wouldn't think it was a Gastropub as it was incredibly unassuming, but the menu had creative dishes and even several items with kimchi. Yoonjoo had a beet salad and I had a pulled pork sandwich which was incredibly tender. We enjoyed our beers and had a nice meal before heading back to our hotel. 

All day long, I had the Flintstones in my head, but also the Fiddler on the Roof classic, "Sunrise, Sunset" as we enjoyed both today and at two different canyons! Coincidentally enough, Yoonjoo's dad, my uncle, performed this song at Yoonjoo's wedding! "Sunrise, sunset......"

Grand Canyon

After our night adventure, it was so great to wake up and finally see the roads at the lodges. We made our way to Maswik Lodge for breakfast where we both had the Grand Canyon breakfast pictured below. I had mine with chicken fried steak which was super tasty. 

We then headed out to Bright Angel Trailhead, but it started to snow shower right at that moment so we pivoted and got on the shuttle right in front of us. The Red route takes you along the Rim and up to Hermit's Rest with a bunch of viewing spots. Here's one at Powell Point:

By the time we got off the bus, the sun had started to peak through and there were lots of clouds which resulted in a darker canyon, but the pictures could never really do this justice. Here's Yoonjoo out on the point, pointing at the Grand Canyon (so meta):

The colors and various levels were really breathtaking:

Here's a chart explaining the layers:

After stopping at Powell Point, Mojave Point, the Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, and Pima Point, we made it to Hermit's Rest which still had awesome views. Also enjoyable was the banter and humor of all the shuttle drivers - must be an awesome gig, driving around such a beautiful place. Here's a picture from one of the last points on the route:

At Hermit's Rest, there's a shop and snack bar. There were some ravens who were showing off and flying in front of us. Here are 3 sitting in the tree:

In the shop, there's a giant fireplace where I ate a southwestern chicken wrap and had hot chocolate. We also met a lovely German couple who actually had taken a photo of us sitting at Powell Point. Also coincidentally, the gentleman was wearing a Hoya hat, but didn't know what it was - he just kept saying he liked Bulldogs and bought it in Germany. We've met many friendly tourists who are always wondering where you're from - we met the Germans, Arizonans, Nevadans, and etc. I thinking hiking and site seeing something like the Grand Canyon makes everyone super friendly. A collage of our Hermit's Rest experience:

After our rest, we made it back on the shuttle that brings you back down to the Village and instead of trying the Bright Angel trail again, we decided to just walk the Rim Trail. The weather was just too fickle. Here's a few photos from our walk:

We're so glad we decided to stay on the Rim as it started to snow shower again. 

The Rim walk was also nice and leisurely and we hopped into the various historical structures like the Hopi House, and took photos. After walking in the snow for a bit, we took refuge in Yavapai Point and Geology Museum. A Ranger was giving a great talk about the Grand Canyon's geological history and how it was carved up by rivers, flash floods, and etc. In the middle of the talk, he just started shouting "rainbow, rainbow" and we all rushed to see it. We got to see so many rainbows, but it's hard for them to show up on the camera with the fog and clouds, but here's one:

After the many rainbows, we walked down to Mather Point where there were a ton of people - many of them ill-prepared in sandals and shorts. Here are a few photos from the overlook:

A bit tired from the walking and cold, we got on the Orange route shuttle and to the main visitor center. After recharging for a bit, we got on a shuttle to Yaki Point and on the way we saw elk and the mules that bring you down the canyon. At Yaki Point, we enjoyed watching this elk:

We were hoping to see the sunset from Yaki Point, but decided to take the Orange shuttle back, transferred to the Blue shuttle at the Visitor Center and got off at El Tovar hotel. Here we ran to the Rim and took a few photos of the sunset.  

We then went inside and waited for our dinner reservation. El Tovar is considered a historical landmark with the nicest restaurant in the Grand Canyon. It requires advance reservations which I was able to score. We had a crab stack, pork chops, and duck. All very tasty with our Cabernet Sauvignon. 

After dinner, we headed down to the shuttle where we didn't wait very long. We enjoyed star gazing at the clear sky - if I could have taken a picture, I would. It was really unbelievable and the hotel clerk from last night was right that I would appreciate it, despite the lack of street lights that led to our driving adventure coming into the Canyon. 

We went to bed early after showering as we have plans to wake up early to watch the sunrise!

Sedona

Yoonjoo and I both safely arrived in Phoenix where the airport was super busy. Golf bags and baseball jerseys everywhere of fans going to watch spring training. After waiting on a long rental car shuttle line, we arrived at the massive rental car center. We went to go find my car, which took a bit as the garage was so large and we could not clearly read the board, and they had not given me a hybrid like I reserved. So after a quick switch, we were in our Ford Fusion Hybrid which drives really well and off to explore Arizona. 

Our first stop was Matt's Big Breakfast which was about a 10 minute drive from the airport. I had researched it from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Here we had a delicious breakfast and filled up our water bottles with their orange infused water. A collage below:

After breakfast, we headed north to Sedona for about a 2 hour drive. The scenery was beautiful with cacti, shrubbery, and as we climbed in and out of valleys. Our first stop was the Red Rock Ranger which is right off the highway to get some info, maps, and a $5 daily parking pass. Welcome to Red Rock Country!

They had great exhibits including this one that explained the layers and formations:

After Penny, the ranger volunteer, helped us with suggestions for our plan for the day, we headed to Bell Rock to take in the views and try to see if we could feel the energy vortex. Sedona is famous for their vortexes where there are supposed to be energy flows - Sedona is also very new age-y. Yoonjoo and I kept asking each other if we could feel it. If anything, I couldn't tell, because I wasn't sure if it was the altitude or my blood pressure. 

Here are some photos of Bell Rock which really doesn't do the colors of the rocks justice as it was super cloudy:

We then headed to Chapel of the Holy Cross, a small church built into the rocks. Here's a collage below which includes the view behind the altar and out the exit:

A photo of me on the ramp up to the church:

From the church, you could see in the photo below, I was told the rock formation second from the left was carved to look like the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus:

And here's some cacti shrubbery by the chapel:

We then went off to Airport Mesa which is near the airport and again had great views. We got a little confused when we paid for $3 parking here when the machine clearly said it doesn't give out change and we waited like idiots for our change. We figured it was a nice donation to the lovely parks. 

Here's a sign that made Yoonjoo super sad - you were reminded that you could "bust the crust" as you walked on and around the red rocks. Although there are trails, it wasn't always super clear and you could go off trail very easily:

Here's a collage from one of the Airport overlooks. We were also directed by a sweet 10 year old to turn around and hold hands:

A little before sunset, we headed for our 2 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. The drive included many switchbacks, forest views of the Coconino and Kaibab. We made great time on both of our drives today since there was no traffic. We also lucked out as our car had Sirius satellite radio! We didn't have to listen to commercials and reminisced listening to songs from the 90s. This was heavily necessary as I needed to sing to stay alert - poor Yoonjoo had to listen, but I said it was for our safety. 

Towards the end of our drive, we watched ominous clouds and Yoonjoo tried to take photos of the lightning. In the pitch black dark and pouring rain, we made it to the South Rim entrance where you pay $30 for your car and we meandered trying to get to the Village. Yoonjoo took this photo while I was driving:

Again it was super dark, rainy, and there were many turn offs. But we made it to Bright Angel Lodge where we had dinner in the Bright Angel Room which has a diner-like menu. Here's a photo of our shared Southwest Chicken and Arizona Cobb salad:

After dinner and in the snow, we got lost again trying to get our hotel Maswik Lodge. These old lodges are historic and it's actually very difficult to get rooms inside the canyon as they book up fast. So people drive in from Flagstaff or Tusayan which is right outside the South Rim. We also learned the reason why it's so dark with no street lights, is because they have a dark sky certification to see the stars and the check-in clerk said we would appreciate it tomorrow. 

So we drove to our room and were so happy after our showers and in the warmth. The temperature here is considerably colder than in Sedona. We had been up since 3ish east coast time and now it was around 1 am east coast time, and 10ish west coast time. However, we were glad to have arrived safely on this first day of our Arizona adventure!