The Grand Canyon

Attention Getter

How many of you have heard of the Grand Canyon?

How many of you have gone to the Grand Canyon?

Goal Statement

Today I want you to think about the Grand Canyon as a place where you can take your next vacation, relax, explore and learn about Mother Nature, have fun and meet new friends.

At this time you may not have the money or the time to go there.

Hopefully someday you’ll have the opportunity to visit this fantastic place known as one of the seven natural wonders and you will never feel the same about life after this marvelous experience.

Thesis Statement

-I will first explain you about general and geologic information about the Grand Canyon.

-Second I will tell you about the climate conditions of the Canyon.

-Third I will tell you about costs of the tour.

Transition Statement

a-The Grand Canyon is the most respectable geographical monument in America. It receives more than 4 million visitors a year.

b-When going to the Grand Canyon for the first time you won’t believe that it’s real.

c- It looks like a film back drop, but much more breath taking. It is so vast and so grand that it’s an uplifting experience.

d- The Grand Canyon is an excellent place to take the family, go with friends, or even one person.

e- It is an unforgettable experience and the beautiful image will stay in your mind for a long time.

The Grand Canyon

I- General and Geologic Information

a- Grand Canyon, exceptionally deep, steep-walled valley located in northwestern Arizona.

b-The Canyon, is immense, averaging 4,000 feet deep for its entire 277 miles. It is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 15 miles at its widest. However, the significance of Grand Canyon is not limited to its geology.

c-The entire canyon is extremely beautiful, containing towering buttes, mesas, and valleys crossing over its main gorge.

e- Parts of the northern rim of the canyon are forested. Vegetation in the depths of the valley consists principally of desert plants as agaves and Spanish bayonet.

f- In general the entire canyon area has little soil.

g- In the entire canyon region, the rocks have been broken by jointing and faulting, and fractures in the rocks have contributed to the rapid erosion of the gorge.

h-The Grand Canyon offers an excellent record of three of the four eras of geological time, a rich and extensive fossil records, rock types and caves containing significant geological, archeological and biological resources.

i- You may ask yourself, how old is it? The Canyon itself is not that old, only 5 or 6 million years.

-The rock layers exposed at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon are almost 2 billion years old.

-When to visit the Canyon

a- Anytime of year is a good time to visit the Canyon.

b-Each season has its own special rewards.

c-For backpacking and hiking the best time of year is early fall and mid-spring.

II- CLIMATE CONDITIONS

****The climate of the plateau region above the canyon is severe, with extremes of both heat and cold.

a- summers on the south rim are warm and mild but summer in the inner canyon is brutally hot with temperatures well over 110 degrees.

b- Winter comes to the south rim by early December and you can expect snow anytime through March.

**It typically does not snow very much, only a few inches (10 cm) at a time, and the snow usually gets a chance to melt between storms.

III- COST

a- This is not a really expensive trip, prices range around $1500 to $2000 (which generally includes flight tickets, meals, location, transportation, guides etc).

b- You can actually pay less money if you provide yourself with the things you need, like: transportation, meals, sleeping bags, etc.

c-You can also pay for:

– One day mule Trip: $128 per person.

– Air tour (helicopter or plane), $150 dollars =2 hours.

-Water float trip through the Colorado River for $120= 12 hours.

-Rent cabins located along the canyon for $70 per night.

-You can visit the Indian caves for $35=2 hours, and you’ll see the paintings and drawings of the ancient Native Americans.

– You can have a tour called the Grand Sunset Tour for $50=3 hours. You’ll go through the Kaibab Forest looking for different species of wildlife.

You’ll climb an 80 foot tower that views the painted dessert and the San Francisco Peaks. It concludes with sunset at the edge of the Canyon.

you can also visit the Grand Canyon National Park, the Painted Desert, the Navajo Nation.

Transition Statement

The Grand Canyon is a mystery no one can measure.

It brings to heart an understanding of time and life and people find inspiring renewal when standing in its presence.

CONCLUSION

-The Grand Canyon is more than a great gorge formed over millions of years through the rocks of the Colorado Plateau.

– It is more than a pleasuring ground for those who explore the roads, hike the trails, or float the currents of the Colorado River.

– Its beauty and size humble us.

– Its timelessness provokes a comparison to our short existence.

– The Grand Canyon is a gift from past generations and each of us should experience it at least once in our lives.

WORKS CITED

Grand Canyon Explorer

Grand Canyon National Park http://www.grandcanyon.com/srjeeptours.html

News, Tips& Bargains; Travel Log. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Feb 15, 2004. pg. L.3

Tara Weingarten.” The Grand Canyon”. Newsweek. New York: Sept 8 2003. Vol. 142 Lss 10 Pg 60.