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Sigrun Schulz Grand Canyon Story

If there is one sight that every American and everybody else in the world could possible manage to see, it is the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River? in the north-western corner of Arizona. Perhaps my appreciation of it is heightened by a basic knowledge of geology but surely nobody can truly ignore the beauty of his natural landmark.

I was taking a commercial bus trip from Los Angeles?, California to my home in the Canadian province of Manitoba. I had planned the trip home so that I would see as much of the beauties of the Southwest as I possibly could. I had left Los Angeles in the late evening so that I would arrive in Flagstaff?, Arizona with enough time to see at least some of this magnificent canyon before I had to continue my journey home.

Having left my luggage in a locker at the bus station in Flagstaff, I joined a tour group to the South Rim? of the Canyon. We drove along the South and East Rim? of the Canyon stopping from time to time so that the guide could explain specific points to us and we could get to take some photos. From the East, we had an awesome view down the Canyon to the Colorado River far below. We were also able to see the North Rim? which at that time of year was inaccessible. With the passing of each minute the colors in the Canyon mutated. It was an ever-changing spectacle almost like a French Son et Lumière? spectacle in France.

Although various of the Grand Canyon had been put under national protection since 1893, the Grand Canyon National Park Act was finally signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Sixty years later, in 1979, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

I had two regrets as we left the Canyon. One was that the time there had been far too short. The other, that I would never be able to find the words that this magnificent piece of natural, three-dimensional art inspired in me. Ferdy Grofé tried to set it to music and it is very evocative, but unless you see the Canyon, it will never have quite the same effect on you.