My mom, the dog, and I made it home to North Carolina after almost a week of driving. We took the southern route across, driving I-40. Each day, we tried to see at least one fun or amazing thing. The first big stop was the grandest (and also my favorite): the Grand Canyon.

Though pictures don’t do justice, and, quite frankly, neither do words, here are three photographs from our visit there. We arrived in the dark and woke up in the park.

The first shot I took as we reached the rim

That white stuff you see in the foreground of the photo above? Yep, it’s snow. The bitter wind and cold made it hard to linger, but the beauty made it hard to leave.

Below, you can see people to give a bit of perspective. I think you really have to see it for yourself, though.

The morning was quiet and cold, with just a few visitors braving the elements to visit the rim.

Look closely, and you just might glimpse the Colorado River.

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?