The Grand CanyonA mile deep, 277 miles (446km) long and up to 18 miles
(29km) wide the breathtaking grandeur of the Grand Canyon is so
impressive that pictures or words simply cannot do it justice. One
of the great natural wonders of the world, it was formed by the
cutting action of the Colorado River over millions of years. The
hard rock formations survive as great cliffs, pinnacles and buttes,
and the different layers of rock span a range of colours: from
purple, fiery-red and pastel-pink, to yellow, brown, grey and soft
tones of blue. Whether by foot or on horseback, from a plane or
helicopter, aboard a raft down the mighty Colorado River or by
merely gazing in awe from the rim, the canyon's seemingly infinite
depths can be experienced in a variety of ways and is a sight not
to be missed, however one chooses to see it. The park receives
hoards of visitors from around the world, who cannot fail to be
transfixed by the sculpted rock shapes, the shifting colours that
change with the light and a tiny glimpse of the Colorado River far
below. The Grand Canyon National Park comprises two separate areas:
the South Rim and the more remote North Rim. Separated by the
10-mile (16km) width of the canyon, it is a 215-mile (346km) drive
from one Visitor Centre to the other. The South Rim is the most
accessible and has more facilities, and as a result it attracts the
bulk of visitors to its boundaries. The North Rim is higher in
elevation, wetter, with thicker surrounding forests, is further to
access, and is cut off by snowfall from October to May. Many people
however prefer its comparative peacefulness and less-crowded
lookouts. Both rims have numerous drives and walkways along the
edge with various scenic viewpoints and some hiking trails into the
canyon where one can overnight at Phantom Ranch on the canyon
floor. The impact of the more than four million visitors a year to
the South Rim, especially during the busy summer months, is one of
overcrowding and traffic congestion; but to see for oneself one of
the most spectacular examples of natural erosion in the world more
than makes up for the inconvenience. Grand Canyon West has recently
opened the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass-bottomed, horseshoe shaped
deck that juts almost 70 feet (21m) from the canyon's rim. It gives
visitors the sensation of being suspended amid the canyon's
towering red rock walls above a faint sliver of Colorado River
flowing 4,000 feet (1,219m) below.Taliesin WestTaliesin West was legendary architect Frank Lloyd
Wright's winter home and school from 1937 until he died in 1959,
aged 91. Today the facility can be visited as the Frank Lloyd
Wright Foundation with tours providing a general introduction to
Wright and his hugely influential theories of architecture. The
building is built of natural stone, a reflection of Wright's
philosophy that local materials should be used design wherever
possible. There are a range of tours available to suit your level
of interest: for the rookie, a basic introductory tour is
recommended, while devotees will want the behind-the-scenes
exposé.Desert Botanical GardenIf you don't particularly like cacti before your
visit, there is a good chance you'll fall in love with them by the
time you leave. These gardens get high ratings not only for the
size and range of the botanical collection - 21,000 plants,
including 139 species - but due the inventive way visitors get to
experience them. Founded in 1939, the garden provides visitors with
a fascinating and colourful introduction to the ethnobotany of the
region. A highlight is the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert
Trail which allows you to make your own yucca-fibre brush and grind
corn as the Native Americans once did. Over November and December
the gardens are lit up at night by beautiful luminarias (candles
inside small bags).Heard MuseumThe Heard Museum is home to America's finest
collection of Native American art making this an essential
attraction for visitors looking to gain an understanding of the
west's original inhabitants. In total there are over 39,000 works
of cultural and fine art ranging across textiles, katsina dolls,
pottery, jewellery, baskets, cradleboards, paintings and sculpture.
There are also 10 galleries with dynamic and imaginatively curated
exhibitions. Don't miss the annual Guild Indian Fair and Market
(March) which includes traditional dance performances along with
arts and crafts. The museums signature exhibition is Home: Native
People in the Southwest, which uses a variety of media to take
visitors on an unforgettable journey through the region and the
vibrant arts and cultures of its Native people.
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