A Down Under Perspective on the Grand Canyon
From Landscapes and wildlife to history and adventure, what’s the one thing about the Grand Canyon that has intrigued you?
I guess the size would be the first thing that captures the attention of people. It is astonishing to think this place has been forming over five million years. the canyon holds a special power, the power to help put your life in to perspective. When you look into the canyon and think about the size of it and time it has been here, nothing else seems to matter. All our problems are small problems except in the mind.
What are five things your Backpack to the Canyon must contain?
1. My camera with backup batteries and memory cards.
2. Water, water, water. (hikes can be long, be prepared)
3. A torch. (I wasn’t there at night but things can change)
4. Snacks (muesli bars, nuts.)
5. A GoPro Hero video camera
What according to you is the best way to get to the Grand Canyon – By Air, By Road or By Rail?
Friends of ours told us the only way to get to the Grand Canyon is by car from the south entrance. This is because you don’t see it coming. You can literally drive almost to the canyon rim before seeing into the canyon.
I can vouch for this as around the north side from the Vermillion Cliffs you can see the cracks in the earth which may spoil the ‘Aaaah’ factor.
What is travel to you in one word?
Life
What are three tips for an awesome budget trip to the Grand Canyon?
1. Get a bus from Las Vegas
2. Take a tent and camp at the campgrounds for $17 a night. (where you can light a fire and toast marshmallows)
3. Make your own food for hikes.
On your travels, what would you choose a book or a camera, and why?
A camera. I love trying to capture the feelings of a particular moment on the road. Everyone can relate to a beautiful image and be inspired by somewhere they may have never been. Imagery is universal.
As a travel destination, how would you rank the Grand Canyon from 1 to 10?
10
Tell us a little about yourself! This will be included on the web site. What brought you to Grand Canyon? Where are you from? What do you do? What are your influences?
I’m Ardun Ward and I live in Perth, Western Australia. I got bitten by the travel bug in late 2010 when my wife and I embarked on a six month adventure in a 1983 Dodge camper van which took us across Canada and the United States. In that time we fell in love with all that travel has to offer and found twelve US National Parks including the Grand Canyon. On our return I began pursuing photography and writing full-time.
Western Australia
Australia
