Grand Canyon - October 1999

Grand Canyon - October 1999


As the last calendar day of 2008 passed by I found myself with a desire to reminisce and dig through boxes of old pictures. The New Year always seems like a great time to take a peak back on previous years to see where one has been, what one has accomplished, and creates a hope for what is to come. I have been very fortunate and feel very blessed to have had many memorable years of travel, quality time with family, and many work opportunties that have provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The friends and experiences made along the way offer a sense of completeness and fulfillment, and yet, I still have a long road ahead to create many new life experiences - and photos. On this latest particular photo dig I came across memories of a time and place I experienced in Arizona with good friends.


I served in the Air Force from Feb. '97 - Feb. '01 which anymore by a measure of time is literally a decade ago now. Crazy, where does time go?! During my commitment with the military stationed in Alaska - which in and of itself offers a truly unparalleled living experience - a good friend and co-worker of mine were sent to Arizona on TDY for continued technical training. Ironically, the best recollections of this trip were not so much the material we learned, but the good times we had while on our weekend roadtrips.


During our 45 day stay out west courtesy of the military we took advantage of opportunities to visit Mexico, Las Vegas, California, and the Grand Canyon. The photos from my visit to the Grand Canyon on the morning of 10/9/99 was my third trip ever. On previous visits with family we spectated from the rim and visitor's center, much like this latest visit. One memorable summer during my elementary school years my father had planned a vacation for my family to hike and camp down in the canyon valley. (Those pictures are stashed somewhere in a family album or in a box at my father's house.)


Our impromptu road trip to Las Vegas on a 3-day weekend included a stop at the Grand Canyon National Park and a drive by viewing of Hoover Dam. My Air Force buddies and I drove 5 hours from Sierra Vista on a Friday afternoon to arrive at the outside of the park in the late evening. We were fortunate to find a motel to get some rest. On previous family vacations I recall the Flagstaff area generally packed full of tourist limiting lodging options. After a short night's sleep, we gathered up at around 5:30am and headed towards the park entrance which was open sometime in the early hours before later heading out to Las Vegas.


Our morning at the park was brief. We wasted little time finding a place to park near the visitor's center and lodges. The views offered just inside the park are incredible. If you are ever in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon it is definitely a "must see" attraction. After all, it isn't one of the "Seven Wonders of the Natural World" for nothing. The Grand Canyon shares this accolade with other locations and natural phenomenon such as the Great Barrier Reef, Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Mount Everest, Aurora Borealis, Paricutin Volcano, and Victoria Falls. Of this list, the only other I have experienced are the northern lights in Alaska. Elaborate planning is not required for an enjoyable visit. Simply stand in amazement of the natural wonder that the canyon offers. You will leave refreshed and in awe that is mother nature.

Afterwards, once the sun was up in the sky and the heat started to set in, we had breakfast at a restaurant within the park and started on our way to Sin City. The highway to Nevada from Arizona takes travelers across the Hoover Dam. To the best of my knowledge, if you are taking the shortest route from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, all passenger vehicles must cross here. Although time was already pressing, the traffic delay at the dam was enough to allow us time to hop out of the car, take some quick snapshots, and chase the progress of our car in moving traffic.


I am excited for what 2009 has in store, what places I might visit, or what new experiences I will be introduced to. I hope you and your families get to enjoy life and truly "get out there." There is so much life to enjoy and to sit in a home and never experience was this country has to offer is truly a shame. Part of what got me started on this blog was to promote the local offerings in Florida. Of course, there is not much in the way of a plane ticket and a brief visit to another state to enjoy this country. Get out, experience new things, and in 10 years have the opportunity to look back on a life well lived.

All the best in 2009. - Eugenio