The Grand Canyon

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The grand canyon was much much bigger than I ever expected, and one of the most impressive things I have ever seen - especially from the air! Amazing considering it has all been carved out by the comparitively tiny Colorado river which flows along the bottom of the canyon.

We only spent a couple of days at Grand Canyon, but that was enough time to suss out the local pizza joint (they make excellent pizzas!) and to go tramping down one of the trails into the heart of the canyon. We only had time to go halfway down, but even that far is a long way!!

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Aparently the canyon is so deep that it is actually a whole different climate down at the bottom, and it can be hot down there when there is snow on the top rims of the canyon.

A few of us also went up for a helicopter flight over the canyon just before sunset. The flight was truely once in a lifetime event, and they even play music in the headsets to match what you're seeing and add to the atmosphere!

Eg, as you fly into the canyon for the first time there is a big orchestral buildup perfectly timed to peak as you hit the rim of the canyon and start flying over it - very cool!