More than one hundred years ago the Grand Canyon was officially protected by Teddy Roosevelt when he declared it a National Monument, and in my opinion it’s among the most amazing. After visiting in 1903, Teddy Roosevelt stated “Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sights which every American should see.” Woodrow Wilson rescued the Grand Canyon from private development on February 26, 1919, by signing the Grand Canyon National Park Act.
Making my home in Arizona, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon on several occasions and I can promise you that if you haven’t been there, you need to put it on your bucket-list. Your first visit will truly take your breath away.
Grand Canyon Raven taken at Hermit’s Rest.
If you haven’t been in a while, go again. The second time you venture there you begin to note subtleties, like changing colors and shifting contours as the clouds drift overhead. Every time you see it you’ll notice something new, something surprising and stunning, something life changing. On one of our visits a few years back, we spent much of the morning talking with a man whose job it is to care for the canyon mules. He was kind enough to answer our many questions, and recount several amusing tales of human folly and animal wisdom.
There are creatures and plant-life found nowhere else in the world. If you’re lucky you might spot a California Condor, the largest North American land bird, reintroduced to the area after becoming extinct in the wild in 1987.
There’s history and folklore as unique as the canyon itself. Take a tour, I guarantee you’ll meet some amazing people and hear some remarkable stories.
The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 6 million visitors per year. The South rim is an easy stroll on paved and gravel pathways. You can hike into the canyon itself, with a permit if you’re staying overnight or longer. There are art exhibits, geology museums, historic sites, mule trips and river rafting… the list goes on and on. Perhaps visit in the Winter when crowds are smaller and snow caps million-year-old rock formations. Be aware that roads my be hazardous and services limited, but I’ve been there in late November and it’s a whole different world.
The Grand Canyon’s Centennial Celebration is slated include a slew of special, themed events throughout 2019.
- Historic and cultural demonstrations where visitors can interact and learn about American Indian culture and traditional crafting techniques.
- Teddy Roosevelt is featured in fascinating presentations.
- The canyon’s storied past and folklore of the Grand Canyon will be recounted along with themed dinners and productions including Phoenix and Tucson Symphony performances and selections by Flagstaff School District Choir.
- Cartographic demonstrations · Game and Fish Expos · Geoscience Symposiums · Cowboy and Railroad Days and countless other events.
You can find a calendar of Centennial Celebration events here.
For more information, Call or Text: 602-999-0952
eMail: golfarizona@cox.net
Bill Salvatore / Arizona Elite Properties
Your Valley Property Team
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