Grand Canyon Gallery: March 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Grand Canyon Skywalk in Retrospect

World's Highest View

The Grand Canyon West Glass Bridge
You’re standing on a platform made of glass. The rim of the Grand Canyon is 70 feet behind you. The other side of it is 3 miles in front of you. Then you dare to look down and see ………… nothing - nothing but 2,000 feet of air between you and the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Until recently, a sensation like this could only be experienced in dreams. But now, on a small Indian reservation East of Las Vegas, dreams and reality will meld into one with the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Located at Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the new Grand Canyon Skywalk opened to the public on March 28th, 2007. The structure, consisting of a U-shaped cantilevered glass bridge jutting 70 feet past the rim of the Grand Canyon, was dreamt up by Las Vegas businessman David Jin while taking part in a Grand Canyon tour in 1996. With the help of Las Vegas design firm Lochsa Engineering, Jin’s creation will be sturdy enough to hold the weight of a dozen fully loaded 747’s, and strong enough to withstand winds up to 100mph. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin lead the first walkers on the Grand Canyon Glass Skywalk in a private ceremony on March 20th, 2007.

It is hoped that Grand Canyon West’s Skywalk Project will give an economic boost to the Hualapai Indian Tribe, who have battled widespread unemployment and poverty for decades. Grand Canyon West, in development since 1988, offers Grand Canyon touring opportunities not available elsewhere, such as helicopter rides to the Colorado River, cowboy cookouts, horseback rides on the canyon rim and one-day Grand Canyon white water rafting trips.

Grand Canyon West is located approximately 3 hours from Las Vegas, 6 hours from Phoenix or 4 to 5 hours from Grand Canyon's South Rim. Since one of the primary access roads to the area is unpaved, it is recommended that visitors take advantage of a Park and Ride Shuttle Service offered for a nominal fee from the Grand Canyon West Welcome Center located near Meadview, Arizona. Half-day and full-day tours to Grand Canyon West are available from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon South Rim, Page/Lake Powell, Peach Springs, Flagstaff and Sedona.

Grand Canyon Skywalk @ Grand Canyon West

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a tourist attraction along the Colorado River on the edge of the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon West) in the U.S. state of Arizona. Funded by Hualapai Indian tribe in partnership with Chinese-American businessman David Jin[1].

The horseshoe-shaped glass walkway, at a 4,000 feet (1,200 m) height above the floor of the canyon exceeds those of the world's largest skyscrapers.[2] The Skywalk is not directly above the main canyon, Granite Gorge, which contains the Colorado River. Instead it extends over a side canyon and affords a view into the main canyon.[3] USGS topographic maps [1] show the elevation at the Skywalk's location as 1,454 m (4,770 ft) and the elevation of the Colorado River in the base of the canyon as 354 m (1,160 ft).

Commissioned and owned by the Hualapai Indian tribe, it was unveiled March 20, 2007, and opened to the general public on March 28, 2007. It is accessed via the Grand Canyon West Airport terminal or a 120 miles (190 km) drive from Las Vegas, which includes an unpaved and bumpy 18 miles (29 km) stretch

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Helicopter Tours from Las Vegas Tours

Air tours of the Grand Canyon by Las Vegas Tours.

Imperial Air Tour at Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter

Imperial Air Tour Package

Summary:

For photographers and non-photographers, an incredible view of the Grand Canyon. Take in the beauty of the Eastern Gorge and Imperial Point.Features:

Spectacular views of the North Rim, Eastern Gorge
Excellent photo opportunities of the Painted Desert, Zunni Corridor, Colorado River, Point Imperial

Equipment:

Helicopter

Tour Details Itinerary Video Customer's Review

As big as the Grand Canyon is you’ll never believe how much there is to see. And if you’ve never been on a helicopter the experience will be so much more.

Board your helicopter at the South Rim heliport and relax in comfort as you take to the skies of the gorgeous North Rim and Eastern Gorge. Soar past the Dragon Corridor and the Dragon’s head, and then discover the Kaibab Forest and the Kaibab Plateau as you fly through the widest and deepest region of the Canyon.

Photographers and non-photographers alike will fully enjoy this dazzling tour and witness amazing sights like the Painted Desert, the Zuni Corridor, and the convergence of the Little Colorado River with the Colorado River, Point Imperial, and Temple Butte. The Canyon just goes on and on from there.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Fresh Tilipia at the El Tovar

My main coarse was fish rather than steak.Delicious tilapia over a bed of spring greens.Two thumbs up.

El Tovar Resteraunt

From a beautiful layout to fancy artwork and a great view...this setting was nothing but grand.

Fine Dining on the South Rim at the El Tovar

The exsquisite dining at the El Tovar is a pure treat when visiting.The service was professional and upscale and the dishes we ate off of looked almost too expensive to get dirty.I recommend the seafood...or for more vegetarion tastes...the spring salad.

Grand Canyon Resident Wildlife

Grand Canyon Resident Wildlife.

You are bound to run into some wildlife when wandering the many miles of the South Rim Trail.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Sad Day

I would like to get back to writing more articles but sadly I must attend a funeral today for my recently departed Uncle. My prayers are with him.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bald Eagle Statue

Magnificent Bald Eagle Statue

Grand Canyon Valle Airport

Grand Canyon Valley Tours

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Perfection. TY God.

Patience pays off as the most surreal sunset graces my vision. A picture is worth a thousand words...but to be honest the feeling I got after putting the camera down was overwhelming. It is moments like these when we come a little closer to serenity and peace.