The Grand Canyon is steep!

That's just one of the things I learned today while hiking up part of the canyon's North Rim. Our group of four decided that the North Rim was our best destination - while the south side of the canyon is the more popular tourist destination, the north side is just as beautiful and likely less crowded.

Our drive brought us through more barren Utah landscape - yellow and reddish rocks everywhere, and even some tumbleweed. I actually saw some tumbleweed tumbling, which has been one of the highlights of my trip thus far.

But the barren landscape was quickly replaced by the Kaibab National Forrest. At first I noticed there was very little forest in this forrest - mostly scraggly bush trees. And then those were replaced by majestic pines and rolling grasslands. It was beautiful.

The forest led right up to the edge of Grand Canyon National Park. The park was much greener than I expected, and also more beautiful. How anyone can look at the tremendous beauty of the Grand Canyon and not see God's work I will never know.

We decided to hike out to Bright Angel Point to see the canyon. From there we went down the North Kaibab Trail, which leads to the bottom of the canyon. We didn't go all the way to the bottom, but it was far enough. The walk back up was excruciatingly long. Fortunately, the scenery was pretty.

After the hike, we came back to the hotel and ordered some steak dinners. Tomorrow we'll have another strenuous hike to Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. The temperature should be somewhere around 100 degrees, and we'll be in the sun most of the way. I can't wait!