Living on the Edge

   In the spring of 2010, my father, my step mother, and I flew from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Phoenix, Arizona to visit my Aunt Karen. During the five hour flight, I had no idea that they were to surprise me with a trip to the Grand Canyon. Usually in Mesa, Arizona it is around 70-80 degrees in the spring time. When my dad told me to bring warm clothes (gloves, hat, jacket) I was concerned. I was pretty sure he was losing it. When we got there, we spent the evening with family and went to bed. They woke me up early (about five in the morning) and told me where we were all going. I was excited, and nervous, since I had never been to such a grand place. We drove for four hours to get there. It was well worth it. We drove through a snow storm (yeah, in Arizona!) and arrived just in time for a scheduled tour. It was very chilly up there, so the warm clothes were greatly appreciated. Talking to tour guides and other people who worked there, we learned of stories where people accidently would fall into the canyon. However, there was one story that stuck out to me because it was intentional. A man once had been standing on the edge, contemplating taking his own life. People were watching, horrified, and he dropped off the edge of the cliff. When rescuers went down to find him, they also found a body that had been there fore years! Nobody had ever found that person, until right then. It made me realize how very small we humans are compared to Mother Nature and the entire Earth. The Grand Canyon is a vast place that includes 1,218,375 acres of its awesomeness. It is 4,000 feet deep and stretches 277 miles. Its deepest point is 6,000 miles down. It blows my mind to think about the greatness and fear the Canyon provokes. While taking the picture attached, I was told to hang on to a branch that was sticking out from the edge. Nobody had to tell me twice!