It Rocks!

Location: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

 
In April, I had the privilege of traveling to popular national parks in the Southwest. After enduring two years of Covid-19 restrictions, I felt like a bird freed out of the cage.

It turned out that I wasn’t alone. Wherever I went, I was pleasantly surprised to see crowds of families and children. It might not have reached the pre-pandemic level, but it was getting there.

The trip led me to the Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Antelope Canyon National Park.

It was the right time to visit. The weather was sunny and bright with gusty winds and occasional clouds of dust swirling around.

I found the parks to be well-maintained and the facilities clean and up to standard. Wearing a mask was no longer required except on the free shuttle buses running in and around the park every 15-20 minutes. In addition, I was impressed by the friendliness and courtesy of the park rangers and staff that made me feel welcome. That said, if ever I had a beef with anything, it was a long wait for food. At the Yavapai Tavern, for instance, it took more than one hour to be seated and another half hour or so to be served.
 

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The parks provided spectacular scenery that would take your breath away both literally and figuratively. Although I went for the least strenuous hikes, it took me a while to get acclimated to the high elevation. I experienced shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea. I even almost fainted on one occasion. Drinking lots of water and stopping by and pretending to enjoy the view did help alleviate the situation.

The rock formations shaped by millions of years of water and wind erosion are a sight to behold. Depending on your imagination, you could make out cathedral-looking shapes and otherworldly designs as well as creatures and human forms that Medusa could have turned to stone.
 

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If I have to choose a favorite among them, though, I’d pick the Antelope Canyon. It’s made up of two slot canyons with walls composed of beautiful, smooth sandstone in unique shapes. I joined the Lower Antelope Canyon tour and never regretted it.

All in all, I was happy to have taken this trip. In one sentence, I’d say, “It rocks!”