A Squirrel's View of the Grand Canyon

When visiting the Grand Canyon, or going on any vacation, it is easy to approach a trip as if we're going to the supermarket.

We always have a list of particular places we want to see. After making each stop, we race on to the next stop as if checking off items on a grocery list.

Late afternoon light bathes the view of the Grand Canyon South Rim and the Colorado River

Over the years, we've often tried to cram as much as possible into our trips. After all, we never know when we'll make it back to any particular Arizona vacation destination, so we try to see and do as much as possible with the time we have.

However, more recently, we've tried to be mindful about making ambitious vacation plans. Our travels aren't enjoyable when we're exhausted the entire time. Plus, we've found that when we slow down, we see more.

Looking back on it, we've discovered that some of our most memorable vacation experiences were not planned.

Often, they arrived when we least expected them, such as when we stopped to enjoy a view of the Grand Canyon at the South Rim.

It was late on a summer afternoon while we walked along the Rim Trail. We were hot and tired from a day spent seemingly walking and photographing the entire Grand Canyon South Rim.

We finally stopped for a break at a viewpoint along the West Rim Drive and stared out beyond the metal handrail into the breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon.

The sun cast a golden light all around us as it slipped toward the horizon. There was no one else around; it was just the two of us and the deafening silence of the canyon.

Suddenly, a very faint, unusual sound broke the quiet. At first, we couldn't tell where the noise was coming from or even what it was.

Looking around, we spied a rock squirrel sitting right at the canyon's edge.

A rock squirrel feasting on pinyon pine nuts at the edge of the Grand Canyon

The squirrel sat facing the vast view of the Grand Canyon, munching away on a pinyon pine nut; a small pile of nuts lay at its feet.

That's what the sound was - the squirrel chewing on the pine nuts!

We couldn't help but smile as we watched it. We delighted in the thought that the squirrel was taking in the view of the Grand Canyon just like we were.

There was no need for us to speak while we quietly observed this squirrel going about its life with no heed to us.

Of course, for the squirrel, sitting at the canyon’s edge made for a perfect spot to watch for potential predators as well as provide for a quick getaway into nearby crevices for safety. But we couldn't help wonder if it enjoyed the view as much as we did.

As the light began to dim, we walked back to the shuttle stop. We were happy.

Its special moments like these that bring us back to Grand Canyon National Park again and again.

A view of the Grand Canyon offers everyone a chance to experience the beauty of the natural world and reminds us how lucky we are to have such special places.

The Grand Canyon is both a unique and a spectacular park where we can temporarily escape from the cares of our everyday lives.

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