Travels in a Tin Can

student – could not always grasp. The visitor centre contains a large 'cut
away' model showing the rock types making up the canyon walls, a fairly clear
visual aid. Sadly the ranger did not use this much, except when giving a far
too detailed list of the laying down of the rock types. Partly this was due to the
large audience precluding everyone getting a clear look at the exhibit, mainly
though it was underused because the elderly presenter had another prop
which he favoured - his arms. These skinny limbs he used to indicate the
passing of time. Not by saying 'look how old and wrinkly my body is', but by
saying 'my shoulder is two ga-zillion years ago, my wrist is this morning'.
Or something like that.
We did leave the visitor centre with an increased knowledge and
appreciation for the Canyon, and determined to see more of it before
lunchtime, or knuckle-time as our ranger friend might have put it. To drive
around the rim is 215 miles and some of it is closed off during the winter.
Even so, the bits you can drive to would have taken us at least the day to see,
so we chose a shorter route suggested by the park service - which still took
the rest of the morning to cover.
Every few 100 metres there is a lay-by and viewing area from which to
take in the incredible sight. At first we stopped and both got out to take a look.
Soon however, we realized that if we ever wanted to get to the end we would
have to skip some of the views, we also got a bit bored as the view does not
change that much if you only go a bit further down the road. At times when we
stopped I would scout the view and then tell Emma if it was worth her getting
out.
Again we felt that we would have got more out of the experience had