Summer Vacation Day 5: GRAND CANYON SUNRISE!

Well, we managed to leave the hotel in Flagstaff at 3:30 AM this morning so we could see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon.

It was an exciting trip over - there were huge ELK along the side of the road! We were all extra vigilant as we drove. Once we arrived, everyone could relax a little as we waited for the sunrise, which was officially 5:24 AM today.


it was a little chilly! Mommy and Deacon, waiting...


5:24 AM - ready for some sun!


There it is! We approve of the sun's choice to pose for pics with our kids.






Deacon has turned into quite the photographer since he got his phone...


SO GLAD he didn't drop it into the canyon. I wonder how many phones are down there??


Here's one of Deacon's sunrise pics.


And... a selfie to send to his buddy Jason.


Here is that selfie.


One of Mommy's phone pics - it's amazing how the colors change as the sun illuminates the layers of the canyon.


A sunrise family pic. Derek managed not to step on Maren's foot this time!


it was quite a photo-op, so we took lots of pics. Here are a few...






So many good pics of Maren, I had to post a bunch.




This could be our official 20th anniversary pic! Except I hate my shoes.


More of the kids...




Deacon enjoyed pretending Daddy's tripod was a bazooka.




Maren didn't want to leave; she and Daddy went to one more rock outcropping for a pic.


OK, so here is one of the HUMONGOUS elk we saw in the dark on the side of the road on the way there. And we saw a few on the way back to Flagstaff; at least the sun was up, and there were other cars on the road by that time! In fact, Deacon spotted this one, and two big vans on the other side of the road pulled over at the same time to take pics, blocking our view. But Derek got this one after they left.


An elk-ette! She's a beauty!


One last family pic as we left the park.


Breakfast at the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, AZ, right outside the national park.


It was delicious - we recommend it!


On the way back to Flagstaff... sleepy kids.


And sleepy Daddy!


(He was just kidding.)

I think that brings us up to date here on the AFB. Tomorrow we leave Flagstaff and head for Phoenix. We have no plans in Phoenix, so we'll see what adventures await!