The Grand Canyon

Our next stop was in Flagstaff, AZ. Flagstaff is beautiful! It was cold but at last we were in mountains with pine trees and snow.

The south rim of the grand canyon is about 40 miles from Flagstaff. The canyon is just overwhelming! The kids were in awe. They didn't understand what the big fuss was before we got there. Beau tried to explain that a canyon is like the opposite of a mountain...but I don't think they were prepared for the grandiosity of it all.

And, for me, the horriblizer in the family, I was riddled with anxiety about the mile long fall waiting if one of the children decided to go over the edge. (OK, I have to leave Beau in that equation. He is the daredevil 12-year-old-at-heart in our family.) At the gift shop we learned that between 10 and 12 people each year die at the canyon. Thankfully, not one Carlson took the plunge. Although, I think there was a moment where Beau was tempted to send Sadie (the dog) over the edge :(