Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon is located in the northwest corner of Arizona, close to the borders of Utah and Nevada states. As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon shows an impressive display of erosion and mother earth's natural beauty. Stretching for 277 miles, the Grand Canyon ranges in elevation from 2,400 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level. Even though It is not the deepest canyon in the world (both the "Barranca del Cobre" in northern Mexico and Hell's Canyon in Idaho are deeper), however Grand Canyon is known for its overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape. Geologically it is significant because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks that are beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent. Grand Canyon is also one of the most spectacular examples of erosion in the world. We went to Grand Canyon from July 20 - 22, 2001.
 

Grand Canyon was largely unknown until after the Civil War. In 1869, Major John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran with a thirst for science and adventure, made a pioneering journey through the canyon on the Colorado River.

Grand Canyon attracts the attention of the world for many reasons, but perhaps its greatest significance lies in the geologic record preserved and exposed here. The rocks at Grand Canyon are not inherently unique. Similar rocks are found throughout the world. What is unique about the geologic record at Grand Canyon is the variety of rocks present, the clarity with which they are exposed, and the complex geologic story they tell.
 

	Sunset at Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon owes its distinctive shape to the different rock layers in the canyon walls. Each responds to erosion in a different way: some form slopes, some form cliffs, some erode more quickly than others. The vivid colors of many of these layers are due mainly to small amounts of various minerals. Most contain iron, which imparts subtle shades of red, yellow, and green to the canyon walls. Climate plays an important role in the appearance of the canyon. If there was a higher amount of precipitation at Grand Canyon, the plants and trees that grow here would be very different. The canyon walls might be covered with lush vegetation, rather than the cacti and shrubs growing there today.

Grand Canyon became a national park in order to give it the best protection. The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the park and all of its features, including the processes that created them, and to provide for its enjoyment by park visitors in a way that will leave the canyon unspoiled for future generations.

Grand Canyon National Park was designated a World Heritage Site on October 26, 1979. It joins a select list of protected areas around the world whose outstanding natural and cultural resources form the common inheritance of all mankind.

Sedona, Arizona is located in the high southwestern desert under the rim of the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 4,500 feet, it is blessed with four mild seasons, plenty of sunshine and clean air. On the way to Grand Canyon, July 20, we stayed at Sedona for lunch and sightseeing.
 

	Sedona

Sedona, and the immediate environs is a special and unique place. Featuring the wonder of what Native Americans consider the spiritual vortex of the Southwest and absolutely sublime red rock formations plus the splendor and diversity of Oak Creek Canyon, it is considered a locality equal or superior to many national parks.

The City of Sedona was incorporated in 1988 and is one of Arizona’s premier tourism, recreation, resort, retirement, and art centers, all of which contribute to its economic base. Its history is that of a rural ranching community, far off the beaten track. But its beauty became known through the motion picture industry with such classic films as John Wayne’s “The Angel and the Badman,” and Robert Mitchum’s “Blood on the Moon.”  Sedona has something for everyone: World class resorts to small family-run motels, fine restaurants, outstanding shops and diverse art galleries. The beauty and climate of the area makes sightseeing and hiking, golf, tennis, horseback riding, and Jeep touring year-round activities.
 

Montezuma Castle, comprising 840 acres, is located approximately within the town of Camp Verde, 50 miles south of Flagstaff and 90 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. We made a stop for tourism in this historical place on the way back from Grand Canyon to Tucson. July 22, 2001.
 

Montezuma Castle

Montezuma Castle is one of a number of well-preserved ancient dwellings in Arizona. It is probably the most spectacular; an imposing 5-storey structure built into a recess in a white stone cliff about 70 feet from the ground. When first (re)discovered it was thought that the ruins were Aztec in origin, connected to the Aztec emperor Montezuma, hence the name bestowed on them, but they are now known to belong to the Sinagua Indian peoples who farmed the surrounding land between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, before abandoning the area. There is a visitor centre with a small museum, and a short paved nature trail leads past the ruins, which are not visible from the approach road, with good examples of cacti and other local plants. Visitors are not permitted to climb up to the Castle due to its unstable condition so there is not much to do other than take a photograph but the site is definitely worth a visit.

With heightened concern over vandalism of fragile southwestern prehistoric sites, Montezuma Castle became a major factor in the nation's historic preservation movement with its proclamation as a national monument. The Castle was described in the December 1906 establishment proclamation as "of the greatest ethnological and scientific interest."