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Home/Canyon Column/2018 Archives/An Ancient Landscape that Never Grows Old

An Ancient Landscape that Never Grows Old

Tree-framed view from South Rim | Photo by Mike Buchheit
Tree-framed view from South Rim | Photo by Mike Buchheit

As a twenty-five year resident of Grand Canyon National Park, I often get asked, “Do the views ever get old?”

“Not yet,” I’ll reply without a moment’s deliberation. And how could they? Anyone who has spent any time gaping at the canyon can attest to the fact that the light and shadows change from moment to moment; and every new vantage—after as little as a five minute stroll—can yield a fresh perspective.

A trickier question I often ask myself is whether or not I am taking my easy access to the canyon for granted. Even the most dedicated canyon junkie would have to confess to this from time to time.

I have found that a surefire cure to creeping disregard is an absence of any duration. I was reminded of this phenomenon during today’s sunrise. After a weeklong trip to my native Iowa, filled with family, fun, and the familiar surroundings of my youth, I didn’t feel I had truly returned to Grand Canyon until I made my way to the rim.

Perched along the rim wall a short distance from the El Tovar Hotel, there it was. Just the way I had left it. But with a little more shimmer than normal, courtesy of the renewed gratitude I have for my favorite landscape. And a place I am proud to call home.

Have a wonderful Independence Day holiday, one and all. If you are planning to make your way to the park to take in a few views firsthand, try to get here early to beat the heat and inevitable lines at the entrance gates.

Published on: July 1, 2018

Categories: 2018 Archives, Canyon ColumnTags: crowds, Independence Day, July 4th, views

About Mike Buchheit

Mike Buchheit was the director of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute for over 25 years, a professional landscape photographer and instructor, a freelance travel writer, and a popular lecturer on a wide variety of Grand Canyon-related topics. As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he called home.

As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he calls home. You can see some of his beautiful work on his Grand Canyon Prints website.

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