OK I usually just post photos and add a witty or sarcastic comment in here because my writing skills leave a lot to be desired. Luckily my sons are not similarly afflicted. This is a paper my son Chris age 12 wrote for school.

Grand Canyon 

By Chris ######

       The earthen scar seemed to stretch forever in my young, unknowing eyes.

The layers of history showing ages of pressure and erosion was stacked forever

high. Smells of shifted dust fused with the potent desert plants to create a

sinister scent of bitter death and vile life. Sounds of the rapid river conducted the

final sound of many poor creatures beckoned to the lip of the gorge with the

promise of water, but mocked with the sheer cliff to it. The course rock ground to

jagged points littered with the maw of the canyon creating a rough walking experience

for any inexperienced hiker full of zeal. Wind-blown dust collected at my lip

constantly being wetted then dried, building an acrid taste of ancient dust in my 

mouth. Every sense being strained, and the heat seeming to mock the effort to

keep a comfortable temperature, this gorge, this landmark of earth's history, was

worth the effort of man to protect this national symbol of exploration.