Time to check out Part 2 of my vacation to the Grand Canyon! If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here.

Back in May, I went to the Grand Canyon for vacation. Day 2 was our first full day at the Grand Canyon. We focused on the western side of South Rim. It was also my birthday, so I was on a mission for some birthday cake. Even though we stopped the night before to see the canyon for the first time, it still took my breath away in the morning.



Fill station on the right

There were water filling stations at some of the main points, so there was definitely lots of drinking. The water is actually from one of the springs in the canyon. If you go, bring reusable bottles and fill up every time you see a station. Also, wear sunscreen.



I don’t know these people…



There are multiple points along the Rim Trail (which is the main trail you walk) to stop and see the canyon from different angles. If the points were close together, we parked at one then walked to several. Otherwise, we drove to each point and sometimes even took the free shuttle. There were a few points at the end we skipped because it was getting late.



Condor 1


Condor 2


Big bumble bee



We saw plenty of wildlife throughout the entire trip. Condors were rare to see flying, and I managed to get two on camera. There was also a little gopher snake. I didn’t know it at first because the people who found it were speaking Japanese and pointing under a rock. Dad and I both thought they spotted a lizard.


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Word of advice when photographing landscape pictures – pay attention to clouds. They add so much more depth plus you never know what shapes or lighting you’ll find. I never realized how much I loved staring at clouds until this trip.


Colorado River


One of my favorites


You can see a star or planet at the very top left.


Finding a spot to watch the sun set was a disaster. The point I picked was so busy, there were no parking spots. Dad dropped me off and eventually parked somewhere. I had a mini tripod and remote to get some steady shots, but I gave up and tried extra hard not to shake the camera. I wanted to stay late to get evening pictures, but we were so hungry and the restaurant was closing soon, so we left.


Here I am!


Lemon Layer Cake


Food wasn’t too exciting, nothing to recommend. Everything was cooked well, but everything was so plain. I was craving a cold sandwich, so for lunch I had tuna salad sandwich and an ice cream cone. For dinner, I had spaghetti with meat sauce and lemon cake to end my birthday.

And that is the end of Day 2! I apologize for being so slow in getting these photos up, but I’m getting there!