The Grand Canyon. At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and more than a mile deep, it truly deserves to be on the list of "The Seven Natural Wonders of the World." My family took a trip to the Grand Canyon last summer and had the opportunity to stay at one of the lodges on the South Rim of the canyon. You typically have to make reservation at least 6 months in advance (during peak season) to stay at one of the prime lodges right along the South Rim. El Tovar is the most popular and historic. We weren't fortunate enough to stay at El Tovar but stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge which is right next door to El Tovar.
We started our trip off in San Diego with an 8 hour drive to Williams, Arizona located on the historic Route 66.
Gotta feed the body before the long drive. No need to explain the beautiful pictures below.
You can customize your burgers at In-N-Out anyway you want to a certain extent. I asked for medium on the patties. Not quite medium but at least it's not well done.
You can drive straight to the South Rim Lodges but we stopped at Williams, Arizona. Williams, Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon Railway and is the only rail station in America to service a route to the Grand Canyon.
Paid almost double for the First Class Seats but it was well worth the price. It was about an hour and a half ride from Williams to the South Rim.
Some perks of the First Class cabin.
Arriving at Grand Canyon Station
Pictures don't do any justice to this place... you have to see it for yourself.
Checking in at the Thunderbird Lodge. Amenities are back to the 1980s but we had the view of the South Rim right outside our window.
A quick stroll to the historic El Tovar Lodge for dinner.
French Onion Soup
Hate it when it's too sweet but it was perfect.
Mediterranean Entree Salad with Honey Smoked Salmon
Buffalo Filet Mignon
Taste just like beef.
Black Angus New York Strip
Asked for medium rare. A bit overcooked. But it was still very good.
Catching the sunset at the Canyon.
Welcome to the jungle.
My brother and I got up early around 5am to catch the sunrise on the Bright Angel Trail. The Rim to Rim (South Rim to North Rim or vice versa) hike is a 23 mile hike but we only had couple hours so we went down to the first stop which is the "Mile and a half Resthouse." The Rim to Rim Hike seems like an amazing adventure and I hope to do that someday.
Info on the Rim to Rim Hike: http://www.everytrail.com/guide/hiking-the-grand-canyon-rim-to-rim
The trail has an average grade of 10% along its entire length. The beginning and end of the trail most likely has the higher grade so while it wasn't that bad going down, the hike back up was quite a work out.
The hike down and back up took about 2.5 hours and we grabbed breakfast at the Bright Angel Lodge Dining Room.
Nothing like a hearty breakfast after a good workout.
Most people visit the Grand Canyon West (closer to Vegas) but the South Rim provides the most scenic views of the canyon. Most visit during the warmer months but I hear the winter landscape is just as beautiful. Highly recommend taking a trip to the South Rim.
그랜드 캐년 엘토바 (Grand Canyon El Tovar Dining Room)
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