Spring Break is on, and the park is once again bustling with families, school groups, and teenage road trippers. College logowear abounds. As an outdoor educator devoted to turning youth on to the wonders of Grand Canyon, these are the good days.
It reminds me of a favorite teachable moment I once had with a family enjoying the South Rim. Off duty and taking photographs like this one from Pima Point at sunset, a National Park Service shuttle bus pulled up delivering a few dozen visitors to the nearby curb. I could overhear the driver on his scratchy loudspeaker encourage the passengers to pay special attention to Granite Rapids which could be seen at the bottom of the gorge (as is the case in the photo above).
Seconds later I had two young brothers by my side with eyes darting from rim to river. When their parents finally joined them the boys exclaimed in frustration, “Mom, we can’t see the rabbits?” I felt obliged to correct the record.
Opportunities like this for sharing the magic of the Grand Canyon will remain plentiful through the traditional family vacation season this summer.
