In case it passed you by, I've just started a period of six weeks voluntarily 'unemployed'. While I was actually busier in my first few days of worklessness than I had been while working, this long weekend (Thanksgiving in the USA) finally gave Emma and I time to mull over less pressing issues such as: Is Bryce Canyon really better than the Grand Canyon?, or do people just say that to be 'alternative'?
Yes, after a first week off packed with such tasks as going to the dump to get rid of that crappy old carpet (which I used to love...wagon wheel coffee table anyone?) returning explorer costumes (that's another story for later) and looking for a new place to live (commute-related), this weekend Emma and I left it all behind and went to one of my favorite places on earth: the Southwestern states.
To be more specific, we jumped on a plane to Las Vegas and then went to Zion Canyon for two nights, Bryce Canon for one, and then finally Paris, Las Vegas, last night, to provide a bit of city-folk balance to all that cultural/nature stuff.
Anyway, we had a jolly fine time hiking around in sub-zero temperatures, stalking wild turkeys and gaping at the awe of it all, but really words are a bit pointless when it comes to describing that part of the world - hence the new collection of photos.
Anyway, having given it all a lot of thought, here's my answer to the top five canyons question. Please weigh in if you strongly disagree.
1. Zion Canyon, Utah - stunning, crazy-paving-type red, white and orange cliffs that rise up like skyscrapers from the foot of the canyon. Much less enormous than the Grand Canyon, but much easier to take in.
2. Bryce Canyon, Utah - quite small, actually (the main amphitheater is only a couple of miles across) but its bright orange, white and pink hoodoos are just spectactular.
3. Grand Canyon, Arizona - massive, obviously, and very awe-inspiring, but no individual part of it is as memorable as the cliffs, buttes and mesas of the Zion area. If you want sheer scale, of course, you can't beat it.
4. Canyon of the Yellowstone - Where Emma and I got engaged, so obviously a big family favorite, but it's not quite as impressive as the top three all things considered.
5. Colca Canyon, Peru - very hard to see much of the canyon (very steep, very narrow), but the Condors soaring around it are worth the six-hour drive from Arequipa!
Your entry is about one of my most favorite places in the world. There is nothing quite like big red rocks. I haven't been to the Grand Canyon in years, but Bryce and Zion are close to my heart.
Posted by: Dushka | November 26, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Bryce - without a doubt - tops the list. I thought you might also have included waimea canyon in Kauai? You guys went there, no?
Posted by: E. | November 27, 2007 at 02:10 AM
Not so sure on canyons, they're not usually found in Greenwich, but I can think of a Valley I love....
Why can't I see your new set of photos?
Posted by: Matt | November 27, 2007 at 02:34 AM
ooh, good canyon knowledge, Ella. And yes, we've been there. It was pretty impressive, to be sure...lush, green, humid...very good as seen from a helicopter. It's in the top six.
Posted by: David | November 27, 2007 at 10:54 AM