Making “Grand” Plans for Your 2013

It’s time again to make your New Year’s resolutions. Rather than a doomed attempt to swear off fudge brownies, why not steer towards the positive, and treat yourself to a Grand Canyon National Park visit or two? Here’s a canyon-sized list of fun activities that await you and yours in the coming year:

1. Overnight in the canyon; either on a whitewater rafting trip, backpacking, or as a guest at Phantom Ranch. Follow this link to the National Park Service trip planning page http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm
2. Enjoy an unforgettable week of art and inspiration at the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art http://www.grandcanyon.org/celebration.asp
3. Spend a holiday as a guest at the historic El Tovar Hotel, and treat yourself to a meal in their lovely dining room to toast the occasion http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/
4. Take in a toe-tapping concert or two at the Grand Canyon Music Festival http://www.grandcanyonmusicfest.org/
5. Grab a flashlight and join a group of diehard telescope enthusiasts for a celestial viewing of the canyon’s world-famous night sky at the annual Grand Canyon Star Party http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm
6. Treat the whole family to a Grand Canyon learning adventure with the Grand Canyon Field Institute http://www.grandcanyon.org/fieldinstitute/classes_family.asp
7. Support your favorite park by volunteering for a restoration project http://www.nps.gov/grca/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm

 Of course there are myriad other ways to enjoy the grandest of Canyons. The important thing is to make your plans before the hectic, post-holiday pace kicks in yet again. Happy New Year everyone!