Not ones to waste time, we promptly made the short drive into Tusayan, Arizona, located seven miles from the South Rim and two miles from the park entrance. Mexican breakfast did not disappoint at the highly recommended Plaza Bonita where we sipped coffee while waiting on clouds to pass.
As the clouds started to clear we knew the likelihood of a takeoff at 11am was looking better and excitement began to grip those in the airport lobby. Two and a half hours after the scheduled departure time we were meeting the pilot, Grace, and walking towards the helicopter pad for an unforgettable 45 minute ride of over the Coconino National Forest, East side of the Grand Canyon, and Little Colorado River.
The feeling of being somewhat high above a forest one minute and quite literally one mile above the Colorado River a minute later is surreal. As the helicopter floated over a canyon that seemed like it could swallow the tiny aircraft at any time the differences between the north and south rims became evident. The vast desert of the south rim was overshadowed by the taller north rim that had been dusted with snow the previous night.
After a close view of the north rim Grace turned the bird around for the return leg back to solid ground. Following a bit of turbulence the aircraft found smooth air most the way back and we snapped some selfies. A few final views were enjoyed looking northeast before we were fully back over the ponderosa pines and the unforgettable ride was coming to an end.
Following the adrenaline filled adventure we headed right back into town for lunch and could not resist a Cowboy and Cowgirl steak from Yippee-ei-o! Steakhouse that was everything we hoped for and more. Now that the Grand Canyon has been experienced from the rims and the air the only thing left to do is hike down, which we plan to do in the future - perhaps with a river rafting journey.
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