April 23, 2016: National Parks Week: Spotlight: Grand Canyon

This week, from April 16-24, is National Parks Week and we will be featuring tons of information as well as fun memories about past trips we have taken.  

This year, 2016, also happens to mark the 100 Year Anniversary of The National Parks Service.

There are 58 national parks in the United States waiting to be explored. 

To celebrate its centennial anniversary, the National Park Service is offering 16 days of free admission to 127 parks which usually charge entrance fees.  

These "free admission" parks including the Everglades, Yellowstone, Crater Lake, Alaska's Denali National Park and Joshua Tree National Park in California.
 
In 2016, the 100-year-old service will add seven additional free days (to the nine from 2015), including National Park Week, this week!
​
Here's to a Wonderful National Parks Week!!!
​

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 26 DAYS

The Majestic Grand Canyon

Hiya Guys! 

The weekend is here!

While yesterday was filled with stops at the stables, massive amounts of traffic, a bit of shopping, and a relaxing manicure. 

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Look how big little orphan Al is getting!

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I went in saying, that I wasn't getting PINK and guess what...(c)travelincousins.com

Today will be filled with a fun performance for the kids, trying out a new dining establishment, and some birthday shopping (Chaplin's 5th bday is next weekend!).
Then we've got to get done to some business and get clothes organized over at Dave's.

We're gonna have to start packing soon, and right now his place is in no condition for me to be able to even think about starting that task. So once we organize it a bit, packing will be much easier!

Today is also Shoppin' Saturday here on Travelin' Cousins and being that we are still celebrating National Parks week, I'm gonna discuss with you a few must haves for hiking at a National Park (see below).

The park in focus today is The EPIC Grand Canyon!

This is one park that definitely CANNOT be described. And although both Elisa and I will share pictures with you. Pictures of the Grand Canyon just do it no justice whatsoever!!!

It's someplace you just have to go yourself to see and understand what I'm saying. It will take your breath away!

The Grand Canyon is truly Majestic and even that is an understatement.

While I had attempted to go for my first visit to this National Park back in 1997, we had arrived after a long Cross Country drive from NYC right after a big winter storm had hit and there was just too much snow and road hazards to get out there.
​So instead, we got to try these awesome burritos in Flagstaff...
Yes guys, I'm obsessed with Food and Travel!

Read more here:
A Spontaneous Road Trip to the Grand Canyon (or was it really just to get a Burrito)

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Finally making it for the first time in 2000!

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So far, having visited the park 3 times, I have had the pleasure of visiting both the South and the North Rims. And I'll definitely tell ya that if you want to stay away from the crowds that the North Rim is the way to go.
The South Rim can get awfully packed full of tourists. 

And do you want to know one of my Pet Peeves about being at a National Park??

One thing that totally bugs the life out of me is when women wear a ton of perfume at a National Park!
We are there to take in Nature with all of our senses. I want to breath in the amazing fresh air - which as Elisa researched and posted as FACT#15 The Grand Canyon area has some of the cleanest air in the United States.
So I do not appreciate the fumes of someones perfume clogging my nasal passage! 
*This btw is just one of my National Park Pet Peeves - believe me, I've got more..

​The second time that I went to visit this amazing park was in 2006 on a Birthday Road Trip through Arizona.

*Again the pictures not being digital and them not coming out quite as crisp and clear as our more current photos.

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And lastly The Grand Canyon was one the parks on our 2008 National Park Road Trip Adventure!

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While I've yet to hike down to the bottom of the Canyon, I plan to at some point and when I do, I will be prepared! 

Check out this list compiled by GrandCanyon.org so that you too are also prepared:

• Sturdy hiking boots, well broken in (buy them 1⁄2 to one-size larger than your street shoes to allow for swelling and thick socks)
•  Brimmed hat and bandanna
•  T-shirt and long-sleeved shirt for protection from the sun (cotton for the hotter months)
•  Shorts
•  Long pants such as leggings or lightweight trousers (no jeans) to block sun and give warmth at night (especially for the cooler months)
•  Warm top such as a sweater or fleece jacket (especially for the cooler months)
•  Hiking socks such as SmartWool®, Thor-Los® or similar padded socks (wearing a thin liner sock under your hiking socks is highly recommended. Thin polypropylene socks are one type). No cotton socks.
•  Rain shell, waterproof jacket & pants (especially for the cooler months)
•  Sport water sandals like Tevas® or more light-weight flip-flops for camp comfort
• Backpack with padded waist belt, padded
  shoulder straps, and a suspension system
  that will shift weight to hips. Internal or external frame. (Beware of borrowing a pack from someone not your size.)
• Generally you’ll need one gallon of water (at least four liters) of carrying capacity. 
•  Sunscreen and sunglasses
•  First-aid kit* or at least the following items: 

 a. Prescription medicine
b. Advil , or other anti-inflammatory
drug to help with inflamed joints
 c. Ace bandage ®
 d. Dr. Scholls brand Moleskin , a self-
stick pad which can be cut to size to
prevent blisters
 e. Duct tape/Sports tape to affix
moleskin and cover hot spots (wrap the tape around a water bottle or sun block container)

•  Walking stick/Trekking Poles (strongly recommended), knee brace if needed
•  Headlamp or flashlight (small, lightweight, using AAA batteries) & Pocketknife such as a Swiss Army knife (with scissors)
•  10 Ft. of light nylon para-cord
•  Small container of Alum Salt; use to remove sediment from muddy Colorado River water.

Also keep these TIPS in mind -
The following are several Grand Canyon National Park regulations of interest:

• Carry out your trash. Burning, burying, or leaving trash or toilet paper is prohibited.
• Wood or charcoal fires of any type are prohibited. Sterno or fossil fuel backpack stoves are permitted.
• Use of biodegradable or any other type of soap in creeks or camping within 100 feet of any water source (except at designated sites) is prohibited.
• Feeding, touching, teasing, or intentionally disturbing wildlife is prohibited.
• Throwing or rolling rocks or other items down hillsides or mountainsides, into valleys or I canyons, or inside caves is prohibited.
•  Leaving a trail or walkway to shortcut between portions of the same trail or walkway, or to shortcut to an adjacent trail is strictly prohibited.
• Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing from its natural state any plants, rocks, animals, mineral, cultural or archeological resources natural features, or signs is prohibited. Walking on, entering, traversing, or climbing an archeological resource is prohibited.
• Traps and nets are prohibited. A valid fishing license is required for all fishing.
•  Because of their sensitive and sometimes dangerous nature, entry and/or exploration of any caves or mines must be approved in advance through Grand Canyon N.P.

That's about all for today. We've got call time and the kids aren't even dressed in their costumes yet!

I hope you have a great day & I'll see ya back here tomorrow,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT VISIT: 1 DAY

It's Saturday and Super today!

I'm really in a great mood because riding was changed from today to tomorrow.  I love when I can sleep in on Saturdays!

Concetta, the girls' trainer had to go upstate for a family party, so regular weekly lessons will be Sunday this week.

Did I tell you guys that I am back to walking?  Yes, I've been averaging anywhere from 3-1/2 miles to 5 miles daily, with a few days hitting the 8 mile mark.

Not bad.  I'm feeling great and think it's making a difference in how I look. I find walking so therapeutic.  I do my best thinking while I'm walking; I catch up my phone calls; and I even get some of those necessary emails done during this alone time.

The other reason I'm so up and happy is that Tanya and I have some fun stuff planned for today here on The Daily Scoop.

As we approach the end of National Parks Week, with more day to go, we thought we'd feature (among others), the National Park which houses one of the seven natural wonders of the world...Grand Canyon National Park. 

Additionally, since it is Shopping Saturday, here on T.C. we have no intention of forgetting to feature those important purchases necessary for "Must-Have" items when traversing national parks. 

But first, let's talk about one of the most iconic national parks in all the world...

Grand Canyon National Park, created February 26,  1919, is the United States' 15th oldest national park.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the park is located in northwestern Arizona.

It just so happens that both Tanya and I visited The Grand Canyon many moons ago! 

For me, the year was 1995, when I first beheld this AWEsome sight.  My dear cousin, was there a few years later in 2000. That's right, we both went to the Grand Canyon last century! (insert giggle).

Tanya was lucky enough to return to the park twice more since her initial visit.

For your reading and informational pleasure, check out these facts and figures. 

16 Interesting Facts About
Grand Canyon
​National Park

Grand Canyon (circa 1995) (c)travelincousins.com

1. The Grand Canyon is visited by five million people each year.

2.  Created a national park February 26, 1919, The Grand Canyon initially became an official national monument in 1908. 

3. The Canyon is 1-mile deep, 277 river miles long, and up to 18 miles wide. 

4. The oldest human artifacts found are nearly 12,000 years old and date to the Paleo-Indian period. There has been continuous use and occupation of the park since that time by native Americans.

5. In 1869, Major John Wesley Powell led the first expedition down the Canyon and in 1871 was the first to use the term "Grand Canyon".  Prior to this, it had been called the "Big Canyon."

5. Today, 90% of visitors see Grand Canyon from the "South Rim." 

6.  The North Rim of the park, is located just 10 miles across the canyon from the South Rim, but driving by car, it is a 220 mile trip.

7. Open year-round, The South Rim is the most accessible part of the park.

8. The average elevation of the South Rim is 7,000 feet above sea level.

9. The three key areas found on the South Rim are:
a) Historic Grand Canyon Village 
b) Scenic Hermit Road and Hermits Rest, located 7 miles west of Grand Canyon Village.
c) Desert View Drive and Desert View located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village.

10. Several recent studies support the theory that the Colorado River established its course through the area about 5 or 6 million years ago.

At Grand Canyon (circa 1995) sorry so dark folks (c)travelincousins.com

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11. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon a holy site, and made pilgrimages to it.

12. García López de Cárdenas from Spain, is the first known European to have viewed the Grand Canyon, in 1540.

13. The Grand Canyon holds geological history  because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks that are well preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon and the rock layers record the history of the North American continent's geology.

14. Weather in the Grand Canyon varies according to elevation. For example, temperatures on the North Rim are generally lower than those on the South Rim because of the greater elevation. 

15. The Grand Canyon area has some of the cleanest air in the United States.

16. There are approximately 1,737 known species of vascular plants, 167 species of fungi, 64 species of moss and 195 species of lichen found in Grand Canyon National Park. Sixty-three plants found here have been given special status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Traveling the national parks inevitably involved lots of waking and hiking.  The beauty of these natural  wonders are only revealed through on-foot exploration.

This then begs the question, "what kind of footwear should I wear" when visiting.

Well, no doubt, national park trips do not require "dress-up," so when it comes to shoes, Comfort, Safety and Protection are the key factors.

Palladium.com

Clearly, cute flats, heels and sandals should not be part of your wardrobe. 

Regardless of the time of year and temperature, some kind of hiking boot that possesses a sturdy bottom and a decent amount of ankle support is always my first choice.

Tanya and I have certainly done our fair share of waling, hiking and even climbing during our park adventures.

I have two pairs of hiking books. My favorite ones (and they can also be worn everyday, because they are so cute!) are my Palladiums, pictured above.  

I wore these all throughout our Yellowstone Road Trip 

Yellowstone National Park wearing my Palladium hiking boots, April, 2015 (c)travelincousins.com

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And they soooo work well with jeans, or shorts!

They offer so many styles too!! Click Here for the Palladium website!

My other hiking boots, while not as stylish, are very practical.  They are from Lands End and are waterproof as well.  Click here to see all of their styles.

My Lands End hiking boots (c)travelincousins.com

I'm a fashion girl, so I like to look stylish, no matter where I go, BUT, safety and keeping your feet protected is key when hiking for lengths of time on a variety of terrains.  

So there you have it - my picks for some great hiking boots.  Tanya is going to get into some more detail about "Must-Haves" when traveling through our National Parks, so check it out!

See ya'll back here tomorrow when I'll be writing to you from Eastern Long Island, while the girls are at the barn!!

-E
xoxo