A Mother-Daughter Trip of a Lifetime: The Grand Canyon Adventure

For as long as I can remember, visiting the Grand Canyon has been a dream of mine. Its vast beauty and grandeur captivated me, and I promised myself that one day I would make the journey there. After more than 40 years, I finally took the leap and planned this experience with my mom. Originally, our trip was set for October 2020, but as we all know, circumstances changed, Covid struck. We rescheduled for 2021, only to face more setbacks. Finally, we landed on April 2022. Just when we thought we had overcome the hurdles, I encountered an issue with my ESTA application. Despite completing all the required paperwork and receiving confirmation, countless calls had to be made by the custom to the U.S. and I found myself shedding a few tears before we finally made it through customs. To add to the chaos, our flight was unexpectedly canceled just 30 minutes before boarding! We had to return the next day, but instead of a direct flight, we had a layover in Chicago. With emotions running high and exhaustion setting in, it was challenging to stay calm and rational. Eventually, we arrived in Las Vegas with only ten minutes to spare during our connection. Unfortunately, we missed the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson show since we were a day late. However, once we put the stress behind us, we set off on an incredible seven-day tour of the South West U.S. with a small group and an amazing guide. This journey allowed us to explore places before the crowds arrived and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Our guide expertly timed our visits to maximize our experiences. While the Grand Canyon was my ultimate goal, two other breathtaking locations stole my heart: Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Witnessing the sunrise at Bryce was nothing short of magical. Throughout our seven days, we visited remarkable sites including Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Route 66. One of the highlights was undoubtedly the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon—an awe-inspiring experience! After our road trip, we spent a day and a night in Vegas, exploring the various hotels and casinos and watched cirque de Soleil Beatles. What a show! Don't miss Fremont Street at night; it's truly worth the detour. The Bellagio Fountains are mesmerizing, and I could have easily spent hours watching them, especially while enjoying a refreshing drink at the café “Mon Ami Gabi” across the street. One of my most cherished memories is sitting by the Grand Canyon with my mom, watching the sunset unfold before us. Don’t hesitate to chase your dreams—life is too short!