Beholding Beauty - My Family Travels

A Grand Canyon Sunset

I had heard stories about the Grand Canyon before, as have most people. We hear how it is so enormous that you can hardly even believe it is real. There are tales of its immeasurable size and horrors of its deadly trails and cliffs. I had mentally prepared myself for these things before I had arrived.

On May 30, 2016, I stepped foot onto the outer edge of what some may call the best of the “Seven Wonders of the World”. As my family and I looked on at South Kaibab Trail, no one dared utter a word, for we all were trying to etch the picture we were beholding into our minds so that it would never be lost. After our initial shock at the picture before us, we each murmured, “Wow”. There was nothing around us for miles, only a large hole at the edge of which we stood. From our point of view, the canyon was our own universe. I had never felt so small in my life, looking below into the abyss.

As the summer sun beamed down on us, I took time to sit and actually acknowledge everything in the universe around me. There was not a cloud in the sky to mask the immense heat, nor was there a tree to provide shade. Little creatures roamed the ground and rocks, oblivious to what was going on around them. Kids held their parents’ hands pointing to a California Condor that was nesting down the trail a ways. Smiles were plastered on the faces of all visitors.

One of the most unbelievable things about the Grand Canyon was its uncanny ability to make anyone feel extremely small. As I stood and watched everything around me, I knew what it was like to be an ant. I saw the canyon through tiny, tiny eyes, beholding all of the beauty that surrounded me.

Although I was blindsided by the sheer size of the landmark, the best part of the trip was not even the first glance of the Grand Canyon; it was the sunset I watched that night. I saw reds, yellows, blues, and purples. The colors all blended together to make the perfect sunset, better than any painting or drawing. I tried my best to capture all of the beauty with a camera, but not enough justice was done. Closing my eyes, I could still picture what it looked like. One moment the sun was so bright, shining directly into your eyes. The next, it was gone, leaving watercolors in its place. From afar, the other side of the canyon, at least a mile away, seemed as it was covered with mist giving me an eerie feeling . There was a slight breeze blowing, enough to make you smile as you shut your eyes wondering if any of this is actually real.

Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.

0 Replies to “Beholding Beauty”

  • Flora

    What an amazing blog, I enjoy reading

  • zenithholidays

    Bringing to you the most unique holidays covering the most beautiful parts of Himachal. Tirthan: Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley derives its name from the Tirthan river, which winds its way through it. Tirthan Valley is one of the less-visited places which makes it more beautiful and peaceful. The natural beauty of the place is alluring enough, it gives you an offbeat destination taste without bringing you to a remote area. Some of the highlights of the trek include beautiful meadows with flowers in full bloom, glaciers feeding into the Tirthan Valley, and the views of the higher snow-clad ranges
    here is a very beautiful destination in India where you want to travel with zenithholidays – tour & travel company

  • dingdong

    Awesome post.

  • Cuban

    My brother recommended I might like this web site.
    He was entirely right. This post actually made my day.
    You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for
    this info! Thanks!

  • Burt Yarish

    Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email

  • forum

    Everyone loves it when people come together
    and share ideas. Great website, keep it up!

  • ChirsTiaAleena

    Which superpower would you like to have? (Multiple choice)

  • David Coolwater

    Dude, Mike Murray… You are living my dream, man. If I could and had all the money in the world, I would love to just jump in my car and drive drive and drive for just siteseeing… Thank you for your awesome blog posts.

  • Jayden Cumbrae-Stewart

    Hello! It looks very interesting, great post, thanks. I used to play paintball a lot myself. But now is the time that you need to spend a lot of time at home. During a pandemic, it is important not to stop and sit still, but to study something, read, write articles or blogs. I recommend a useful resource in my profile with very sensitive material that requires due attention, which will be relevant to you, go ahead and study the pros and cons of gun control, and think for yourself over this issue and the problem in general. Good luck to everyone and health!

  • ice king

    I love what you wrote here

  • Karlene Lotter

    Thanks-a-mundo for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.

  • ket

    good article! to covid Covid-19, of course, did not affect the travel plan, I buy insurance ttps://ekta.insure/

  • Nona

    Thank you! very interesting information. i have a young daughter who really wanted to learn how to ski.

  • Penelope

    Thanks for finally talking about > Okemo and Stowe and the Vail Effect | My Family Travels < Liked it!

  • Ratna

    Very informative and interesting article. Well done!!
    I am also a travel blogger, my website is http://www.travelsimplygo.com

  • ww88

    Hello, I read your blog daily. Your story-telling style is awesome, keep it up!

  • yerli filmler

    Enjoyed every bit of your blog article. Much obliged. Yoshiko Wyrick

  • er

    There is certainly a great deal to learn about this topic. I like all of the points you have made. Lynett Adams Berne

  • Lea

    Thank you so much for doing the job here, everyone will certainly like your post.

    Best regards,
    Lunding Zacho

  • cli

    Great article.

  • che

    Great info. Cheers.

  • Osvaldo

    very useful and interesting information. every year we flew with my family to Norway to ski. but this year we are staying at home.(

  • Osvaldo

    thanks for this wonderful post! it is magical)

  • Devesh

    Wow…really amazing blog.
    I really like the way you describe the post..

  • Devesh

    Nice post.
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!

  • amel sm

    I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Keep writing.

  • amel sm

    I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Keep writing……………..

  • amel sm

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!….

  • Devesh

    Nice post.
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!

  • film

    First-class article it is really. My father has been searching for this info. Dotty Ernie Coltson

  • Vernon Livernash

    Really nice post!

  • Wan J

    What a wonderfull blog !

    Hey guys!What could be a better way to prepare ourselves for the upcoming travel plans with some music companions for our trips later.Lets boost our trips with some awesome singalong memories together!
    Found this awesome playlist to share the love around.Have a great and wonderful day ahead!

  • ero

    I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Keep writing. Jsandye Caesar Joli

  • ero

    Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest of the site is really good. Gretta Araldo Riana

  • Ashford

    I have included this write-up to my bookmarks

  • Keli Bulat

    Terrific article

  • Lieselotte Paylor

    I agree with you

  • playa del carmen beachfront

    there are a lot of really good hotels and resorts in Playa del Carmen

  • hiking girl

    Lot of good material here keep up the good work

  • hiking girl

    Lot of good material here keep up the good work

  • Devesh

    Wow…really amazing blog.
    I really like the way you describe the post..

  • Devesh

    Nice post.
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!

  • Maurice Ximenez

    world is changing

  • ?

    Thanks for finally writing about > Haunted Houses for Kids And Halloween Weekend Breaks < Liked it!

  • Sepakbola Spanyol

    Great article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the great writing.

  • Dominick Petterson

    Have you ever wanted to travel and work abroad?contact us today and we just might make that happen
    Whatsapp:+1(845)243-3187

  • Kalpa Semasinghe

    Great read!

  • los

    My subscribers on Twitter would really like this post. Is it okay if I link it to them?

  • Hello to everybody,

    First of all let me introduce myself: my name is Daniele Baraldi and I work for Top Service, a Company that deals with travels and products conceived for families with kids.

    I would like to bring to your attention a new concept of traveling. A virtual interactive tour upon many different locations that children can follow comfortably from home for those families who want to offer their kids the opportunity to explore their origins directly live from their sofa by interacting with a kid-friendly guide.

    This new product, built up in a playful and educational way, is a new and entertaining one that can surely raise an interest in your community.

    I really hope we will soon get in touch for a trial.

    Look forward to hearing from you soon. erbaralds (at) gmail.com

    thank you,

    Best regards.

  • Devesh

    Wow…really amazing blog.
    I really like the way you describe the post..

Comment on this article

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.