Grand Canyon, Sept. 2000

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PROLOGUE

I think I can describe Peter as a "professional traveler". He takes 6 weeks of vacations at least twice a year, and travels around the world. Peter, Ravi, and I were hiking together in a Castle Rock state park near Saratoga in SF Bay area. We started talking about amazing places we have visited.

Peter said "there are two places I was totally overwhelmed by the scenery: Taj Mahal in India and the Grand Canyon." He continued; "I took a hike to a Plateau Point from Bright Angel. There, you are surrounded by the magnificent canyons..." Ravi and I looked at each other, and we knew what we were thinking. We are going to the Grand Canyon next.

So, this is my trip report to Grand Canyon in September, 2000.

The Grand canyon in the sunset. It was nearly 10 years ago, 1991 when I first visited the canyon. I spend only 3 hours in the park. What a stupid travel plan it was. With such a short time, it was impossible to understand what Grand Canyon is like. Its size was far beyond my perception. With this 2^nd trip to the Grand Canyon, I hoped to feel the size of the Grand Canyon. I think I made that goal.

Days	Activities, description, etc.	Number of Photos
Prologue and 1^st day	San Francisco to Las Vegas, Las Vegas to Grand Canyon. East Rim Drive under the sunset	4
2^nd day	Bright Angel Trail East Rim Drive and Lipan Point Grand Canyon and the Full moon	5
3^rd day	Sunrise Scenic airplane ride West Rim Trail and the sunset	8
4^th and 5^th days	Grand Canyon to Las Vegas "Theme" hotels in Las Vegas Flight over Yosemite (Las Vegas to San Francisco)	7

1^st Day (Thursday) On Thursday morning, Ravi and I left SF airport on the 7:30 am flight to Las Vegas. It was about one and a half hour flight and there was a great view of Sierra-Nevada mountain ranges. I could identify Mammoth Mt., town of Bishop, and creeks I hiked 3 months ago. Very nice. Had a quick lunch in Las Vegas, and we started driving towards the Grand Canyon just about noon. It was a pleasant 5 hours drive to the canyon, but do not over speed. When we rent the car, the lady at the counter told us not to leave a speed ticket in the car. There are a lot of patrol cars along the highways. Later, we found a flight between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon airport for about $130 for one person, one-way. Considering the 5 hours of saving and a speeding ticket I've got, I will definitely fly next time I come to the Grand Canyon.	Hi Ravi! At some point along the East Rim Drive. Enjoying the sunset, cool weather, and a beautiful scenery.
The view from some point along the East Rim Drive, again. Even more sunset photos are coming here. They are just beautiful, and so easy to take amazing photographs. But there are photos not in sunset as well... like the sunrise one.	Finally, we arrived at Moqui Lodge around 4:30 pm. The motel is located near a town of Tusayan about 1 miles away from the Grand Canyon park entrance. We settled ourselves very quickly and headed for Grand Canyon to see the sunset. We drove East Rim Drive. Every other mile, there were a great view of the canyon. The canyon in the sunset is a beauty. Also, I found these vista points were less crowded than the ones near the main village. Took a lot of photos, checked out the village, and went back to our hotel.

1^st Day (Thursday)

On Thursday morning, Ravi and I left SF airport on the 7:30 am flight to Las Vegas. It was about one and a half hour flight and there was a great view of Sierra-Nevada mountain ranges. I could identify Mammoth Mt., town of Bishop, and creeks I hiked 3 months ago. Very nice.

Had a quick lunch in Las Vegas, and we started driving towards the Grand Canyon just about noon. It was a pleasant 5 hours drive to the canyon, but do not over speed. When we rent the car, the lady at the counter told us not to leave a speed ticket in the car. There are a lot of patrol cars along the highways.

Later, we found a flight between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon airport for about $130 for one person, one-way. Considering the 5 hours of saving and a speeding ticket I've got, I will definitely fly next time I come to the Grand Canyon.

Hi Ravi!

At some point along the East Rim Drive. Enjoying the sunset, cool weather, and a beautiful scenery.

The view from some point along the East Rim Drive, again. Even more sunset photos are coming here. They are just beautiful, and so easy to take amazing photographs. But there are photos not in sunset as well... like the sunrise one.

Finally, we arrived at Moqui Lodge around 4:30 pm. The motel is located near a town of Tusayan about 1 miles away from the Grand Canyon park entrance. We settled ourselves very quickly and headed for Grand Canyon to see the sunset. We drove East Rim Drive. Every other mile, there were a great view of the canyon. The canyon in the sunset is a beauty. Also, I found these vista points were less crowded than the ones near the main village. Took a lot of photos, checked out the village, and went back to our hotel.

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