by Mike Graf
James raised his hand. “Why are there fossils of ocean animals at the Grand Canyon?”
“Good question,” Pam said. “The Kaibab Formation was formed under the ocean before the whole area lifted up millions of years ago. If you get a chance tomorrow, hike out to Bright Angel Point and look for these types of fossils. There are many of them in the rocks next to the trail. Or, come back to our geology talk at four o’clock and I’ll take you there!”
When Pam left, the family watched the rest of the storm from inside the lodge. Lightning continued to flash, but the thunder wasn’t as loud. After a while, the thunderstorm ended and rays of sun peeked through the clouds.
James got up and walked to the viewing window. “It’s not raining anymore,” he announced. “Do you want to go out and look for those fossils?”
Mom looked at Morgan and Dad. “Sure!” she replied.
They put on their sweatshirts and walked outside.
Morgan, James, Mom, and Dad headed toward Bright Angel Point. Steam rose off the ground. There were small piles of hail next to the trail. The sky along the horizon was pink and orange.
“Look at the canyon!” Mom exclaimed. “It’s full of shadows from the clouds.”
“Look at the side of the trail,” James said. “It looks like it just snowed.”
Suddenly a bright shaft of light streamed through a dark gray cloud. The sunlight lit up a mesa in the distance. The family stopped to look.
“What a beautiful sight,” Dad said.
“We’re finally getting to see our Grand Canyon sunset,” Morgan added. She pulled out her camera. “Time for pictures!”
“Ahh, sweet sunshine!” a man next to them said.
James looked over at the man. “Hey, it’s the bike rider!”
The man turned toward the family. “I remember you, you’re the family from Cape Royal Road. How was your trip across the canyon?”
“Great!” Morgan said. “I really recommend it. Hey, can you take our picture?”
“Sure,” the man said.
Morgan, James, Mom, and Dad stood with their arms around each other.
The man looked at the viewing screen on the back of the camera. “Ready?” He snapped the picture and then gave the camera back to Morgan.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Look, there’s a rainbow!” Morgan called out.
The family looked across the canyon. In the eastern sky was a slowly fading rainbow. Toward the west, the brilliantly glowing sun slipped down to the horizon. The jagged outlines of the many cliffs and mesas were silhouetted against the hazy evening sky.
Morgan snapped several pictures.
“It looks like a painting,” Mom commented.
The sun dropped out of sight, instantly turning the canyon walls a deep gray.
“There it goes,” James said.
SUNRISE, SUNSET
There is no place on Earth that is better for watching the sunrise and sunset than the Grand Canyon.
Sunrise and sunset times are listed in current park newspapers. It is a good idea to arrive at viewpoints before sunrise or sunset. This gives visitors a chance to enjoy the moment as it unfolds and the changing colors in the canyon.
A MUST-SEE
Hopi Point on the South Rim is the most popular spot for watching the sunset. But many other canyon viewpoints are considered equally spectacular and are often less crowded.
As geologist Clarence Dutton once said about a Grand Canyon sunset, “The colossal buttes expand in every dimension.” As the sun lowers, some people see colors changing in the sky, shadows and shapes shifting in the canyon, shafts of sunlight poking through clouds, and sometimes even a rainbow. Whatever the experience, a sunrise or sunset is a must-see while visiting the Grand Canyon.
The family watched the sky slowly turn darker. They stood for a few moments until the canyon could no longer be seen. The first stars appeared in the sky.
“How about some hot chocolate?” Dad suggested. “I think the cafe is open.”
“Sure!” James answered.
The family walked back up to the lodge and out the front entrance. They walked into the cafe and ordered their drinks. Once they sat down, Mom pulled out a piece of paper.
“Now that you’ve hiked it, I want to know what you think of an early explorer’s opinion of the Grand Canyon,” Mom said. “I heard this at a campfire talk while you were gone. It was written by Joseph Ives, one of the first white people to ever see the canyon.”
The region last explored is, of course, altogether valueless. It can be approached from the south, and after entering it there is nothing to do but to leave. Ours has been the first, and doubtless the last, party of explorers to visit this profitless locality. It seems intended by nature that the Colorado River, along the greater portion of its lonely and majestic way, shall be forever unvisited and undisturbed.
Mom stopped reading and looked at her family. “So, what do you think?”
“Boy, was he wrong,” Dad said.
“I agree,” Morgan added. “I know I’ll come here again.”
“I feel like I’ve just begun to explore here,” James added.
Mom tore up the note and dropped it into her empty hot chocolate cup. “I thought you would feel that way,” she said. “In the class I took, we learned that many artists, painters, and writers have been inspired by this place.”
“Like Grofé, who wrote the Grand Canyon Suite,” Morgan said.
“Speaking of writers,” James said, “is there time for me to write in my journal?”
“Sure,” Dad said.
James got his journal out of his pack and started writing.
Saturday, August 6
Dear Diary,
This is James Parker reporting. Tomorrow we are heading home from our adventure in the Grand Canyon. I feel like a real explorer now. And I feel like I want to keep doing trips like this. Morgan and I are already hounding our parents about where we’re going to go next summer. And even though I got sick, I definitely want to go backpacking in the Grand Canyon again someday. Here is a list of my favorite places in the park:
1. Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim
2. Cape Final
3. Angel’s Window
4. Roaring Springs
5. Phantom Ranch
6. Desert View Tower
7. Ooh-Ahh Point
8. Ribbon Falls
9. Bright Angel Point
10. The North Rim Campground
Anyway, it’s sad leaving this place. But my parents said, “We can always come back!”
Yours until next summer,
James
While James wrote, Morgan also pulled out her journal. “I guess I have a few more things to write,” she said.
Saturday, August 6
Dear Diary,
James and I are sitting here writing in our diaries about our incredible trip to the Grand Canyon. I see that he just wrote his top ten list. I agree with his list but think the Cliff Spring Trail and Point Imperial should also be on it. It was neat to see how Native Americans lived in the area at Cliff Spring. And Point Imperial was really an amazing view! I guess it’s hard to come up with just ten places for my list.
Joanna used to teach fifth grade. She said she’s going to send James and me some stuff from her classroom like books and magazines. I can’t wait to get them! And I can’t wait to finish Brighty, which, hopefully, I’ll do in a few days. Joanna also gave us her e-mail address, so now I have a pen pal, in case I need help with my homework or if I want to remember the great times we had here in the park.
And, guess what? It rained again today. It kind of makes me sad. Now whenever there is a thunderstorm, it will make me think of the Grand Canyon. And I’ll wish I was back here.
But I can always listen to the Grand Canyon Suite to help remind me of this place!
Sincerely,
Morgan
Morgan closed her diary.
James put his pen down. “Okay,” he said
. “I’m all done.” He took out his flashlight. “Follow me.”
James guided his family past the lodge and onto the Transept Trail heading toward the campground.
“At least it will be nice and cool tonight,” Dad said. “It’s great sleeping weather.”
“And we’re camped in the forest,” Morgan added. “Scorpion free!”
“Added bonus!” James called back. “And there are showers nearby!”
“Life’s just perfect, isn’t it?” Mom said.
