I have arrived - I am here - Its the Grand Canyon!

Capturing the glorious sunset at Grand Canyon
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After reading, researching and planning for more than 6 months...you get to a point, when waiting just doesn't work for you. You've heard about it from others, seen documentaries on the travel channel, and always wondered what it would be like, if you were there.

I now believe this to be the quintessential road trip that gave birth to the phrase "are we there yet?!" And after what feels like forever, you are moments away from realizing that very thought; steps away from experiencing life in all together a different way.

I now believe this to be the quintessential road trip that gave birth to the phrase "are we there yet?!"

Spectacular Sunset at Grand Canyon
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That first glimpse; the rush of adrenalin; the expansive view that takes your breathe away and makes your jaw drop...is the pinnacle of your experience at the Grand Canyon. Nothing beats it and nothing comes close to it. It happens in a flash, but stays with you forever and leaves an unmistakeable permanent impression - thats when you realize, you have arrived, you are here, THIS IS THE GRAND CANYON, and there is nothing quite like it!

Hopi point along Hermit Road is where we wanted to view the setting sun cast its magic spell on the canyon, however we couldn't resist temptation to overlook the canyon from Mather point - the first point you encounter as you enter through the south rim. Each overlook has its own viewpoint to boast of...and none is better than the other...just different and awe-inspiring in its own way.

Spectacular Sunset at Grand Canyon
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There are only so much shuttles that run the hermit road route. This is strictly closed to private vehicles, and having come this far, we didn't want to miss the ride for the world. Since we visited Grand Canyon in the off-season, it was a breeze to drive through the village and park only a few feet away from the shuttle transfer stop, where a shuttle would take you towards Hermit's Rest.

You can get off and on at any of the stop points...since it was closing in on sunset time, we chose to get to Hopi right away. What the Canyon offered to us in terms of an experience is difficult to put down in words. The rays of the setting sun would play a game of light and shadow on the canyon walls revealing forms, facets, angles and crevices not seen a few seconds before. Amongst a continuous changing myriad of color, what seemed to remain constant was time. It was as if life itself stood still to witness this grand display of motion and contrasts on possibly the largest theatrical stage.

"THE" GRAND CANYON
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No matter how much you read, hear or know - seeing it in person is what it takes to give you the bragging rights to talk about it, write about it and share with others, what others have shared with you before. You've been there, done that, and there is no other way to experience the Grand Canyon.

This is where you realize how vast something could be; how minuscule someone could appear standing in front of it; and how impossible its natural creation might seem. Grand Canyon emphatically makes a bold statement  - its so truly deserving of.

TIP: Get there fast, get there in time, don't miss the sunset for the world. Any viewpoint is great to observe this spectacle, Hopi point gets a special mention and is worth every second you spent reading about it. The visitor center has great information, facts and maps that fulfill all your geological quests.