Grand Canyon, U.S.A.  - -

The Grand Canyon National Park has two distinct sections:
  the North Rim and the South Rim.
It's a 4.5 hour trip from one Rim to the other.
The North is closer to Las Vegas; the South is closer to US-66/I-40
 and Williams/Flagstaff.
The forests on the North/South Rims drain into/away-from the Canyon.
The slope to the river is  MUCH STEEPER at the South Rim.
The best accommodations and scenery are at the South Rim
   -- along with the LARGEST crowds.

Some travel agents may try to push the idea of taking the train
  to the South Rim from Williams or from LosAngeles.
   (CAUTION: the L.A. to Williams segment is on a BUS)
 The train is a tourist trap; it's MUCH BETTER to drive your own car,
  so that you can start, stop, and change direction at whim and will.

Be sure to visit or at least get a glimpse of ...
 .- ALL of the turn-off/over-look spots; they each offer their own view.
 .- MatherPoint, YakiPoint, Yavapai, GrandView, NavajoPoint, WatchTower
 .- MaricopaPoint, Powell, Hopi, Abyss, MohavePoint, Hermit's Rest.
 .- some location at sunrise; it's early and cold but worth the view.
     (ask a Ranger for the best spot and sunrise time)
 .- the trail-head as a morning group begins their descent (cheer them on).
 .- Black suspension Bridge  (mule and foot traffic) [via binoculars from rim]
 .- Silver suspension Bridge (foot traffic only - & water pipe) [binocs]
 .- note the best views and return later in the week.
 .- Ranger talks/walks - can be informative.

At the height of the travel season, some roads are closed at some or
  all times to all vehicles except the Park Service shuttle buses.
Check the schedule; plan accordingly;
  might be possible to drive out EARLY and come back at leisure.
Easter vacation week is a good time to consider;
      NOT overly CROWDed; NOT hot like summer; NOT cold like winter.
Food and lodging are more scarce and expensive than along the Interstate;
  research, reserve, and plan accordingly, as per ....
    http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/
    http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/wheretoeat.htm
    http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm
 Mostly, these are operated by a concessionaire, as see at ...
    http://www.usparklodging.com/grandcanyon/
       (the gooseneck on the page is likely never to be seen)
    http://www.usparklodging.com/grandcanyon/map.php

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OTHER Places in the area ...
 .- Monument Valley, no. of Keyenta (Goosenecks of SanJuan)
 .- Lake-Powell/Glenn-Canyon-Dam at Page, Ariz. (bridge, dam, houseboats)
 .- Bryce Canyon N.P., Zion N.P. (mtns and canyons)
 .- Lake-Mead/Hoover-Dam at Boulder, Nevada (bridge, dam, houseboats)
 .- Navajo-Bridge/Marble-Canyon/Lee's-Ferry
     http://www.nps.gov/glca/historyculture/navajobridge.htm
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Bridge
     http://www.gcex.com/ (wild raft trips of a week or more)

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