Day 9: Grand Canyon

It takes 12 hours to hike from the top of the Grand Canyon down to the Colorado River and back up (you need to calculate twice as much time for the hike up as for the hike down). You'd need to carry at least 12 liters of water in order to avoid dehydration. It's highly recommended not to attempt this hike within one day due the stress your body suffers. Because the Grand Canyon is literally breathtaking! While Maria decides to go for a 7 hour hike, the rest of us take it easy. The path, which turns out to be wider than I'd imagined it to be, takes you down into the Canyon in zig-zags. Since we're in a National Park there are no railings meaning you walk right along the edge the entire time. The canyon offers many things to marvel at while hiking: rocks sticking out of the face of the Canyon looking like they might fall any minute; cacti blooming in the most beautiful colors and other never before seen plants; squirrels so used to tourists they'll just climb into your backpack and help themselves. The hike down is pretty relaxing and we only need about an hour to Cedar Ridge. The way up however is a real strain with the midday sun not making it any easier. In spite of many stops it only takes an hour and 15 min to get back up. Our feet covered in Canyon sand, which actually gives you quite the nice tan look, this is probably the shower that has been most looked forward to during this entire trip. Tonight's sunset we enjoy with a pizza party at the edge of the Canyon. Of course the thought of possibly falling any second is a little scary, but it's definitely worth the view. Afterwards we head to the sports bar for a football 101 and a game of bowling.