Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Write a Travelogue (11/06/14)
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TITLE: The Earth Shall Sing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Allison Egley
11/13/14 -
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The trip was my high school graduation gift from my aunt and uncle. A step-grand daughter about my age was not able to make it, so they asked me if I wanted to come instead. I'm still amazed at their generosity, seeing as the trip was to celebrate their wedding anniversary and I was the only person there who was not a member of the immediate family.
They flew me to Chicago to meet up with them first, so I wouldn't have to fly all the way to Arizona by myself.
My first views of the west were from a plane window, like a miniature overview of what was to come.
We started off in Williams, Arizona, where we spent the night in a wonderful hotel. The only disappointment was being awakened in the middle of the night by the fire alarm. Luckily, it was just a malfunction, and we didn't have to actually evacuate. Looking back, though, I can't help but wonder if it was an omen to my college days, where I would almost get used to being awakened at 3:00 A.M. to the sound of a talking fire alarm and the smell of burnt popcorn.
The next morning, we watched a short skit about an old west shoot-out. From there we walked to the train station, where the sounds of trumpets, tubas, and trombones filled the air as a brass band entertained us while we waited.
We boarded the train, and I finally felt like I was really in the west. I gazed out the window, when my thoughts were interrupted by an old-west train robbery. These people didn't leave a single detail out. Ever notice how, as much as they seem to use them, a cowboy's gun is always shiny, without a speck of dirt or dust? Then, of course, the sheriff came whizzing by, wondering where the scoundrel had gone, and if anything had been taken.
Finally, we arrived at the Grand Canyon. I grabbed my luggage, put my school backpack on my back, and followed my aunt, uncle, and cousins off the train. It was much more spectacular than I imagined. To be honest, all I had in my head was my memory of a small, drawn picture from the 1989 World Book Encyclopedia. I was wondering what the big deal was, about this rocky hole in the ground. If I ever looked at the actual photos, I somehow never associated them with the Grand Canyon. To be sure, the Grand Canyon is much more than a rocky hole in the ground.
Sunset came. The pinks, purples, and oranges danced across the sky, painting a beautiful backdrop for the deep reds and browns of the canyon.
The next day, we continued to explore the canyon's beauty. I bought an ice cream cone after lunch, which led to my most memorable encounter with local wild life, though I'm really not sure "wild" is quite the right word. Now, I was certainly familiar with squirrels, but the ones back home are the kamikaze type. The look both ways before crossing the street, but only so they can wait to dart out right in front of your car. These squirrels, however, thought they were human. One in particular wanted to know why I wasn't sharing my ice cream with him. I held it above my head, while reprimanding the squirrel. He didn't listen. The sad squirrel eyes didn't work. Well, maybe they did. Though he didn't lick my cone, he probably did reap the benefits of my ice cream soup, no longer fully contained by the cone.
The Grand Canyon cannot be explained to someone who hasn't been there, and those who have need only to exchange the words "Grand Canyon" to invoke knowing looks and wanderlust. I was quite surprised to see scripture verses on plaques in a few places in the canyon, and I think one of those may capture it better than I ever could. "All the earth worships Thee; they sing praises to Thee, sing praises to thy name." Ps. 66:4 (RSV)
Yes, the Grand Canyon is certainly worshiping and singing praises to its Creator, not only singing praises to Him, but proclaiming His glory loudly and boldly to anyone who will listen.
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