Mighty Grand Canyon

We set off early the next morning, as we were quickly approaching Las Vegas. But today, we were going to experience something truly spectacular—one of the world’s wonders: the Grand Canyon. The entrance fee was $20 per car, which gave us a week-long pass to the national park. We hadn’t brought hiking shoes from Denmark, and staying in Grand Canyon Village is pretty pricey, with all activities marked up quite a bit. Still, we were blown away by the canyon’s breathtaking beauty. We followed a trail that wound closely along the edge, with spots where paths were built so close that you could stand with your toes over the edge and feel the thrill of its grandeur. Not far from the Grand Canyon is one of the largest Native American reservations in the U.S., Navajo. It’s a bit tricky to grasp just how vast it really is since small towns are scattered along the roads. Many people live in trailers, but you can also catch glimpses of their traditional architectural style, like the hexagonal houses. In many places, Native Americans have set up stalls where they sell or trade their goods, such as pipes, jewelry, and other decorative items. You’re welcome to drive into these small towns to chat and experience the remaining Native American culture. Just remember to respect their wishes if they don’t want to be photographed or if they prefer not to have curious tourists visiting. We stopped in Kanab for the night before rolling into the gambling city of Las Vegas the next day. Kanab doesn’t offer much beyond affordable lodging, so we were looking forward to the next day when we’d spend the next few days in a city where anything can happen.