LA to the Bay: Grand Canyon
Getting to visit the Grand Canyon for a couple of days with my travel bestie and our LA to the Bay Contiki trip truly was an incredible opportunity.
Not only would we be hiking the most iconic canyon on the planet, we would be camping (okay, glamping) under the stars at Under Canvas.
A quick view of the Grand Canyon (August 2023)
Before arriving at our glamping accommodations for the next couple of days, we made a stop at the Grand Canyon’s Mather Point. We jumped off the bus for a teaser view, before our day of hiking.
You see photos of the Grand Canyon, you think you know what you’re getting into. You think you know what you’ll see and feel.
I had no idea.
The landscapes, the views, all of it feels surreal. It looks like a flat postcard in front of you – your eyes physically cannot comprehend how far away everything is. It’s gorgeous.
Camping under the stars (August 2023)
It was pouring rain when we checked into our tents at Under Canvas. So I stayed warm and dry until I had to make a trip to the washroom cabin, only a short walk from our tent.
When I found my way back to the tent in the dark, I took a minute to look up and just appreciate the sky. I live in a busy city with lots of light pollution. Being able to pause and see a dark sky full of twinkling stars isn’t something I’m used to.
But it was absolutely stunning and peaceful. I could have stood there all night.
Hiking the Grand Canyon (August 2023)
The next morning, everyone hopped onto the bus and got ready for a day of hiking.
Sophie and I decided to take it a little easy and do the Rim Trail day hike, which was mostly flat and accessible walks along the edge of the Canyon.
It was such a beautiful way to appreciate the landscape and have a laid back day, just walking and chatting. And of course taking a ton of photos!
I was so glad to be able to really take in the Grand Canyon for a whole day, and tick this landmark off my bucket list in the way I wanted.
Hiking the Canyon (August 2023)
But of course, a Contiki trip never slows down, and the next morning we got on the bus to our next location.
On the long drive to Vegas, we’d make a stop in Seligman – better known as the little town on Route 66!
Route 66 lunch stop (August 2023)
We only stayed for about an hour, but that’s all we’d need.
I grabbed an ice cream cone even though it was before lunch, because that’s what vacation is all about. And then wandered up and down the couple of shops and sights there were to see.
Seligman really owned the fact that it’s the town that inspired the location in the Pixar movie Cars, which I found really charming. Cheesy? Yes. And very fun.
After a few photos of the famous Route 66, we got back on the bus and got really pumped for our destination.
