Christmas at the Grand Canyon
If you’ve been on a river trip or rim tour with us, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Each day of that adventure felt like unwrapping a new gift. Every bend of the river revealed another stunning vista, every new overlook provided a fresh perspective of the canyon’s awe-inspiring beauty. As a child, one of my favorite nights of the entire year was Christmas Eve. It was a special time when my family would turn the lights and music down low, light some candles, and gather together
Don’t Forget To Look Up
It was at that moment I learned a large lesson. While I was so used to practicing my pursuit of fossils and geologic finery, I nearly missed out on the big picture of what it means to be in this GRAND canyon. Have you ever been so invested in observation of something that you failed to notice that which was happening all around you? Have you found yourself so intensely focused that you missed out on the “big picture” of your surroundings? This was exactly my scenario on my
Light Shines Best in the Darkness
Just as the face of Moses shone with light from the glory of his encounter with God, we should carry the radiance of our Redeemer into dark places. For it’s truly there that the light will be most beneficial and stand out from the rest. This past week, I had the privilege of leading a sunset tour for two people who came to the canyon to see God’s amazing creation. This time of year is particularly fantastic, as we are in the middle of our monsoon season. During much
Blinded By My Sight
After messaging ahead of time with the parents of this family about the possibility and suitability of creating a “tactile tour,” his mother said that would be amazing, and he would love it. She said, “Nate—you get it!” I’m not sure who was more excited—them, or me. I recently performed a sunset tour with a family who came to visit the Grand Canyon. On their reservation, they made a note to let us know their young son was blind. When I saw the note, I thought to myself, this
Our Refuge and Strength
The best thing we can do, sometimes, is simply to shelter in Him and trust Him to guide us through. Struggle. We all face it. It comes in many forms—physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational. During times of difficulty, we each have our own battles to fight. The weight of those challenges often feels overwhelming. The unknowns of tomorrow, the pain of today, and the fatigue from trying to keep going can leave us feeling weary. Yet, in the midst of struggle, there is a beautiful truth we can cling
What Will You See? – Waterfalls
One thing people on river trips through the Grand Canyon are often surprised by are the number of waterfalls we encounter. In such a drastically dry desert environment, seeing water cascading from canyon crevices is an unexpected delight. The Grand Canyon is home to numerous waterfalls, both large and small. The most well-known waterfall in the Grand Canyon would have to be Havasu Falls. Standing at the base of this tumbling torrent of turquoise and travertine whisks you away to another world — seeming an island paradise, rather than
Grand Canyon Snow
One of the surprising things to many who come to Northern Arizona is the fact that we have snow. And when I say snow, I mean not just a little, but quite a lot! In fact, Flagstaff is often listed as one of the top 10 snowiest cities in America each year. With the higher elevations and colder temperatures, we are no strangers to snowfall, and much of it settles around us during the winter months. While we see a fair amount of snow on the South Rim
River Rats Across the Pond
One thing I often tell people at the end of a rim tour or river trip is, “You’re now part of our Canyon Ministries family.” As you read this, you’re part of that family too. Recently, I returned from the United Kingdom after conducting a week-long biblical tour of London. This is something my wife and I typically organize every two years, offering an open invitation to people from around the world. Apart from all the sightseeing and adventure, during our London Christian Tour, we focus on three main
12 Stones at Separation Canyon
What an incredible season it’s been on the river! This year, I had the privilege of running both our first and last river trips. It has been amazing to see the many lives God has touched and the perspectives He has changed as people rafted through the Grand Canyon with us. God is amazing, and He always has unique ways of speaking to our hearts and drawing us to Himself on these trips. We believe the layers of the Grand Canyon serve as both a remnant and a remembrance.
Master Books Comes to the Grand Canyon
Recently I had the amazing opportunity to spend the day giving a tour to 21 members of the Pratt family. If you don’t know Randy and Kristen Pratt, you should. They and most of their family are involved in various ways in the publishing company Master Books, which published the books our founder, Tom Vail, helped put together. These include Grand Canyon, A Different View, and the True North Series guide books for Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyons, and Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. All four of these books are