This site is about the ‘experience” of it. To learn about the experience of being at and in the Grand Canyon, read on.

It’s not just about “the facts, ma’am.”

The video above shows several overlooks coming into the park using the East entrance—my favorite, because it allows you to stop at the Gorge of the Little Colorado and stand directly on the edge of a 1,200 ft cliff, looking down at your toes as you lean against protective bars.

The East entrance is more scenic—you’ll see the Watchtower on the East Rim, and stop at several fine overlooks to view the Canyon’s majesty. It also tends to be less traveled, as it typically takes a bit longer to get from Flagstaff to the East Entrance than to the South Entrance.

To use the east Entrance, go north towards Cameron from Flagstaff on Hwy 89, and west on Hwy 64 (it’s about 2 miles south of Cameron). It’s about a 90 minute drive this way, not including stopping for the Gorge of the Little Colorado overlook.

Allow me to start by saying I am a backpacker at heart, and am unable to backpack any longer due to a health issue. As will become clear to you on this site, I love the Grand Canyon.

Why? I am not really sure I can say— am not sure I want to know—it simply is.

Holidays vs Vacations

Let’s start by clearing something up—why is this site called “Grand Canyon Holidays”, instead of “Grand Canyon Vacations?”

It has to do with the difference between the European view of “holidays”, and the American view of “vacations.” The word holiday originated from halig “holy” + dæg “day;” meaning both “religious festival” and “day of recreation,” (or, re- creation, as in to re- create yourself through inspiring experiences.)
The word vacation started from the Latin “vacationem”, meaning “freedom or release” (from some activity or occupation), “leisure, a being free from duty”

Notice the subtle difference? One word—holiday—is about re- creation of yourself, even experiencing the sacred and the other- vacation- is about relief or freedom from something., Now to be sure, a person can go on a vacation and experience the sacred; and people go on holidays and simply choose to focus on the release & relief—but it is an interesting distinction, isn’t it?

A Sacred Place for Many

I am here to tell you the Grand Canyon is big enough for you to experience both a release and a recreation, whichever you choose. Many regard the canyon as sacred; in fact, some Indian cultures don’t even allow their members to look at it because it is so highly revered. Those in good enough shape to backpack it, or run the river, call it their sanctuary, their cathedral, their tabernacle.

Some take a brief glance, declare it to be “just a big hole in the ground” and quickly move on, while others are overwhelmed by its awe inspiring beauty. I have talked with rangers who have seen grown men, on first seeing the Canyon, get down on their hands & knees & cry—they are that overwhelmed by its beauty.

…and, if you can do it, going below the rim is 100 x’s better than viewing it from the Rim… and off the Corridor trails 100 times better even than that.

The awe, the silence, the space, the colors, the graceful and bizarre shapes, the incredible blue sky— standing on the Rim is like being in a small plane @ 3500 ft over a drop dead, knock your socks off, make your Mind go Quiet instantly, gorgeous landscape.

The Grand Canyon is what I call my place of “not-power.” What I mean is I don’t have to be there to experience the power of it, I can simply remember by looking at a picture, or even simply thinking about it, and the feelings well up in my heart & Mind, bringing tears to my eyes even now as I type this. There is no “last time I saw the Grand Canyon,” as I am there in my mind and heart, every day.

Grand Canyon is, in itself, an alternate reality, and, if you choose to view it that way, can be a place of “not-power” for you, too.

There are lots of ways to experience it, and the canyon is big enough—grand enough– to allow ALL of them, trite to profound, “vacation” to “holiday.”

By now, it should be clear this site is not only about what you can do at the Grand Canyon, but what it is actually like to visit the South & North Rims. May you use this site, and the Grand canyon itself, to experience your life more fully, richly, peacefully and deeply.

My friend, the Raven, at the South Rim
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Interested in exploring all the ways the Canyon can be experienced? For hiking & backpacking, check out the Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers Association site. The Official Arizona Guide site has lots of information on all the things to do, see & experience on holiday in beautiful Arizona.

An Arizona Travel Guide is useful for planning, too– and check out this information on Arizona Ranch Holidays if you’re toying with the idea of a dude ranch holiday. The Kay El Bar Dude Ranch is located about 4 hours south of the Canyon & caters to riders and non riders alike.

Finally, you can get even more general and very, very specific information about all the things you can do & see at the Grand Canyon, to help you enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.