On the day I took this picture, I brought a friend to visit the Grand Canyon for the first time. Rather than take him only to the touristy bits of the park, I took him to my favorite rock. It’s a scramble down from the Desertview Tower, and then a bit of a clamber-spelunk through the rock itself before you end up on its top, this solitary overlook - and it feels like you’re both on the edge and in the heart of the Grand Canyon.
I had warned my friend that at some point while we were in the Canyon, I had a letter to finish writing. As soon as I sat down (and had a few sips of water), I knew that this was the place to finish writing it.
A couple of weeks earlier, I had started writing a letter to a new love. I was backpacking in the Grand Canyon at the time. Each evening, and sometimes during the day, I would take a few minutes to sit and share stories from my day, knowing that the stories wouldn’t make it to my partner until at least a week later. When I got out of the Canyon, it felt like the letter wasn’t finished… and my wise love, of course, suggested that I keep writing the letter until it was done, or until we saw each other, several weeks later.
Well, I had gotten some writing done on this evolving love letter during the ensuing weeks. But I kept feeling like I was missing the heart of what I needed to say. When I came back to the Grand Canyon, and clambered up this rock with my friend, everything settled into place. I told my love how astoundingly content I feel with them. I told them how much I value them, in poetry and in prose. And I told them that I want to spend the rest of my life in partnership with them.
In two more days, I’ll read this letter to my love. And who knows what will happen then? But it’s thanks to this boundless Canyon, full of perspective and possibility, that I found the words to say what was in my heart. For that gift, I will always be grateful.
Sincerely,
Grand Canyon National Park
America’s Southwest is full of breathtaking canyons, but none as famous or as widely visited as the Grand Canyon. This world-famous landmark offers wondrous views, spectacular hiking, exhilarating whitewater rafting and countless adventures. One look across the enormous chasm confirms just why this inspirational place is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a must-see destination for so many travelers. The park also protects a wealth of biological diversity, including numerous endemic and threatened species and several rare ecosystems.
State(s): Arizona
Established: 1919
“seeing and interacting with wildness is good for the soul and the body. Because it's too easy in our virtual age to think that the Earth was made for us - and because the National Parks help bring us back to the reality that we were made for the Earth.”
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Greetings from Grand Canyon National Park
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Greetings from Grand Canyon National Park
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