Small

The Grand Canyon. It is actually massive, like wtf how??? Water and time, thats how! I lived at the grand canyon south rim from February to May 2023. Having the grand canyon in your backyard was a special experience. The canyon is mind blowing, it is beautiful and powerful too. Hiking into the canyon was a challenge I did not expect. The trails are steep and well traveled, there was snow for the first mile and a half, but as you descend from the rim the temperature climbs. 7 miles down, it was a completely different landscape. At the rim there are forest of pine trees, large elk, and feet of snow. In the canyon it felt more like the southwest, with colorful desert plants, we even spotted a small deer. it was blissful to be standing in the middle of this huge gash in the earth. It makes you feel incredibly small. A reminder that I am just one part of a really big world, and an even bigger universe. And an inspiration, knowing that it was small changes overtime that carved out this feature.

It wasn’t until the trek out or the canyon that the challenge truly began. Incline. The whole way up. 7 miles. over 4000 ft elevation. During the last mile and a half I cried and forced my legs to move. It was a mind over matter situation. I was running on only the fact that I knew I had to get out of the canyon. By the time we reached the top it was dark and cold. We were probably some of the last people to come out of the canyon that night. My legs were so tired I could barely stand, and I was mentally exhausted.

Even though the Grand Canyon poses big challenges it also shows you even bigger opportunity. Opportunity to grow and be passionate and creative! I’m sure I will visit the canyon again someday, and it would be a dream to complete a full rim to rim hike.

1/24/24

LIVIA