In the summer of 2000 we took a three week family driving trip across the southwest United States to show our then 14 year old son some history and geography. Being geography majors in college we were particularly upset that the school system we were employed by had decided to drop American geography from almost all its curriculum, particularly in the grade our son had just completed so OFF WE WENT ON A MISSION!

One of our major stops was the Grand Canyon. We spent time driving and hiking along short rim trails but as you can guess the heat was almost unbearable! I had hoped to score a mule trip down into the Canyon but no luck. Also, my favorite camera decided to basically fail me most of the trip and we really could not get many good distance shots. Oh to have a time capsule and go back with a DSLR to those trips and days!

So please excuse the lack of photo info, details and especially the quality; enjoy this album as just a trip back in time.

Images

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Viewing: 1-17 of 17

Marcsoltan

Great album,...

Voted 10/10

Kathy. Not to worry about the quality of the photos. What's important is that you have preserved the memory of a great and educational trip for your son.
Cheers,
Marc

Posted Mar 9, 2011 10:40 am


	silversummit	Re: Great album,...
	Hasn't voted	Thanks Marc! These pictures do bring back many memories including funny responses like: "Do I have to get out at this stop too?" Nonetheless, it achieved its purpose! Thanks for looking! Kathy
		Posted Mar 9, 2011 3:38 pm

EricChu

Great album!

Voted 10/10

I think this was a trip your son will never forget as long as he lives!
Thanks for posting this remarkable set of photos, Kathy!
Cheers,
Eric

Posted Mar 9, 2011 2:48 pm


	silversummit	Re: Great album!
	Hasn't voted	Thank you Eric! Tim still remembers the picnic lunches we packed each morning and the mini-hisotry lessons from his father. Thank goodness this was pre-Facebook and cell phone days! K.
		Posted Mar 9, 2011 3:40 pm

Henryk

Unforgettable Views

Voted 10/10

I visited Grand Canyon with my wife back in 1999 and we are also awe struck by the breathtaking vistas. Thank you for posting so we can relieve our memories too. Henryk

Posted Mar 9, 2011 3:47 pm


	silversummit	Re: Unforgettable Views
	Hasn't voted	You are so kind to say this Henry. I am very glad that you have been to the Grand Canyon too and just a year before we were there! I always enjoy your wonderful pictures and especially seeing you and your wife hiking together - so special! Again thank you for writing! Kathy
		Posted Mar 9, 2011 4:11 pm

lcarreau

Great images ...

Voted 10/10

I actually WORKED at South Rim Village in 1991.

If this is any consolation, I LOST most of my negatives and
color pictures taken in my "insta-matic" days.

The canyon remains. When your son grows older, he will look
BACK upon this trip and realize even though technology seems
to be GROWING faster than erosion, there are a few things more
priceless than 10x digital zoom and the tail end of a mule.

Not MANY things, mind you! : )

Posted Mar 10, 2011 10:27 pm


	silversummit	Re: Great images ...
	Hasn't voted	I know the feeling of losing pictures from a special place (I'm still looking for some of mine.....) And you're right, it's more important that he traveled with us that summer.
		Posted Mar 11, 2011 9:03 am

RayMondo

Very Pretty Album

Voted 10/10

A fine set of revealing and inspiring photos. A place that I have yet to reach.

Posted Mar 28, 2011 4:39 pm


	silversummit	Re: Very Pretty Album
	Hasn't voted	Thank you! It's definitely a wonderful place to visit!
		Posted Mar 28, 2011 7:26 pm

EricCox

I realate

Hasn't voted

Greetings!
I SO relate to your story. In 1999 I took my 9 year old son on his first trip out west. I didn't know it but he was very sick with some sort of stomach virus as we left. By the time we landed in Salt Lake, he had thrown up several times. At first I thought it might have had to do woth his first time in a jet. We continued south on our way to the Grand Canyon, but when we got there, he didn't feel good enough to get out of the car. We have been back west a few times and he wasn't sick, but I will never forget my frist time there. As I look back now, the memory isn't as bad, but I'm glad no one took my photo!!

Posted Apr 12, 2011 8:20 am


	silversummit	Re: I realate
	Hasn't voted	Ugh! Not exactly the best way to start a trip Eric. Our son spent some of his hours in the third seat of our rental minivan on the borrowed laptop playing games and by the final week he was bellowing "Do I have to get out at this place too?" I think every traveling family has some photos they wish no ever took (but still treasure) and a few they are thrilled were missed! Cheers to family adventures!
		Posted Apr 12, 2011 10:31 pm

Legpowered

The Grand

Voted 10/10

I grew up about two hours from the Grand. It is still one of my favorite places on earth. In 2005 I got to kayak the river on an 18-day trip. It was life changing. I'll never forget it. Thanks for bringing back the good memories!

Posted Apr 21, 2011 9:06 pm


	silversummit	Re: The Grand
	Hasn't voted	You did the Grand in a kayak - no question about life changing and skin-changing no doubt! Still on my 'bucket list' even if only for a short rafting trip. Thanks for looking! Kathy
		Posted Apr 22, 2011 8:17 am


	Legpowered	Re: The Grand
	Voted 10/10	Yes, it was probably the greatest outdoor experience of my life to this point. I would highly recommend it. Not only was the whitewater simply amazing, but some of the side hikes and side canyons were some of the best in the southwest! I have a photo album with some pictures from some of the side canyons if you are interested. Happy trails!
		Posted Apr 22, 2011 10:07 am

Bob Sihler

Grand Canyon in the Summer

Voted 10/10

My brother and I did the loop from South Rim to the river and back in one day back in April 96, but that would be a bad idea in the summer. In July 98, my wife and I started out before dawn and before the worst of the day's heat reached Phantom Ranch, where we spent the night. The next morning, we started out about an hour prior to dawn and were able to get to the rim before it got nastily hot. If you go back, consider that plan.

Posted May 12, 2011 11:10 pm


	silversummit	Re: Grand Canyon in the Summer
	Hasn't voted	Sounds like a plan but I doubt that I'll ever hike my way down at my age but I still dream of rafting which I could definitely do! Appreciate the input!
		Posted May 12, 2011 11:40 pm

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