We found that the best way to really experience the Grand Canyon was to hike down into it.  

So we got up early and hopped on the shuttle bus over to the Ranger's hike.  We took the hike down to Cedar Ridge.  It would be a 3 mile hike round trip but only this only takes us down 1/4 of mile down into the Grand Canyon.  The Grand Canyon is 1 mile deep.  This would consumer our whole morning, a five hour event.  But it was so worth it.  To be 'IN' the canyon was an amazing experience.

At the buss stop we found deer grazing in the nicely manicured walking paths.

On our way down!

Top of the canyon.

You could also rent a mule to do all the work.  With us being so cheap and all,

 we used our own two feet, we needed the exercise anyway!

There was snow still on the top of the path.  So rather chilly at the top, but as we walk down, it gets quite warm.  Its amazing how the  temperature differed at the different levels of the canyon. 

On our way down into the canyon our Ranger pointed out different fossils.  This was neat, but most of them were so small if she had not pointed them out I would have never even noticed.

This fossil is a sponge. This one was really neat to see.  

Going further down.  Here is a shot of this tree line. These green trees only grow here

 on the south rim and do not grow any further down.

I liked this plant so I took a picture of it.

Made it to our destination, Cedar Ridge.

The boys get the Ranger to sign their Junior Ranger books

After our long hike down we stopped for a picnic before we started our hike back up.  Our gourmet picnic meal consisted of Peanut butter sandwiches, chips, granola bars and water.

To see the Grand Canyon was amazing! But to be down inside the Grand Canyon was truly an awesome experience!  Being inside made you feel like a small speck in a great big vastness.  The wide open space seems to swallow you up into a mass feeling of emotions.  These emotions bring to your heart an aw that can't really be put into words for one to understand.  I believe each person when they experience the Grand Canyon will have their very own emotional experience.  

For us hiking down into the canyon brought a whole new experience than just seeing it from the rim.  From the rim the canyon seems to be a huge hole in the ground and we are standing on the side lines looking down into a massive hole in the ground.  It is a big hole and feels impossible to grasps, until you climb into it.

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If you could not take the 5 hour hike then this short hike down to this natural bridge would be perfect!