$14.19

58 of the Region's Best Trips! Whether you're a local looking for a long weekend escape, a visitor looking to explore or you simply need some ideas when family and friends come to visit, Lonely Planet's Trips series offers the best itineraries - and makes it easy to plan the perfect trip time and again. Theme icons make finding the perfect trip simple - no matter what your interest Easy-to-use maps for every trip, plus driving times and directions Explore the region with trips ranging from two days to three weeks, and day trips from Phoenix, Albequerque and Santa Fe Local experts share their favorite trip ideas, including a former director's tour of film locations, a geologist's rock-hunting expedition and an astronomer's stargazing tour Iconic Trips chapter covers must-do trips across the region, from Motoring the Mother Road: Route 66 to A Green Chile Adventure Tune in on the road with our regional music playlists Family-friendly and pet-friendly listings throughout Green index lists the region's most environmentally friendly options Travel America with Lonely Planet Since 1984 Lonely Planet USA has published over 100 guides to America, working with over 200 American travel writers. For this Trips series our authors drove more than 100,000 miles, visited 230 diners, stopped at 810 roadside attractions and rediscovered the country they love. Visit lonelyplanet online at www.lonelyplanet.com

$17.48

58 of the Region's Best Trips Whether you're a local looking for a long weekend escape, a visitor looking to explore or you simply need some ideas when family and friends come to visit, Lonely Planet's Trips series offers the best itineraries - and makes it easy to plan the perfect trip time and again. Theme icons make finding the perfect trip simple - no matter what your interest Easy-to-use maps for every trip, plus driving times and directions Explore the region with trips ranging from two days to three weeks, and day trips from Phoenix, Albequerque and Santa Fe Local experts share their favorite trip ideas, including a former director's tour of film locations, a geologist's rock-hunting expedition and an astronomer's stargazing tour Iconic Trips chapter covers must-do trips across the region, from Motoring the Mother Road: Route 66 to A Green Chile Adventure Tune in on the road with our regional music playlists Family-friendly and pet-friendly listings throughout Green index lists the region's most environmentally friendly options Travel America with Lonely Planet Since 1984 Lonely Planet USA has published over 100 guides to America, working with over 200 American travel writers. For this Trips series our authors drove more than 100,000 miles, visited 230 diners, stopped at 810 roadside attractions and rediscovered the country they love. Visit lonelyplanet online at www.lonelyplanet.com

$10.9

Completely updated every other year, Frommer's Grand Canyon National Park features detailed information on the sights and experiences that await you.; More than 4 million people visited the Grand Canyon in 2008. Our author lets you know where in the park you can escape the crowds, whether you have a full week or just a few hours.; Detailed information on hiking and adventures, including helicopter tours, mule rides, and rafting trips along the Colorado. Plus, our hotel reviews and campground guide breaks down the best sites to spend the night, both in the park and nearby.

$7.79

The next step in the journey brought us to a sturdy Park Service bus waiting nearby. According to guidebooks this bus would carry us to the top of the South Kaibab Trail. Amy and I climbed up the steps and down the narrow aisle lugging our backpacks loaded with sleeping mats clothes and food. The water a gallon for each of us gurgled reassuringly in plastic bottles. We sat down near the back of the bus. After waiting for late arrivals the bus driver closed the squeaky door started the bus glanced at the rear-view mirror and shifted the gears. The driver a frumpy middle-aged woman with hints of gray in her hair started her route with a slight lurch of the bus. Even at this early hour several people got on and off at various trailheads and scenic overlooks that lined the rim of the Canyon. The driver seemed relaxed and friendly. I felt a mixture of rising anticipation and panic sweep over me as we moved from the known into the unknown. One part of me felt giddy with exhilaration as we neared the trailhead. Another cautious part inside wanted answers and a reassurance I could not supply. This voice began with the usual question "Now what did we forget to pack?" Other questions nagged at me beneath the surface. "What am I doing? Am I getting in way over my head?" I felt embarrassed and reluctant to share my reservations with Amy at this early stage of our journey. Amy silently gazed out the window as the bus bumped along. Several other people on board spoke quietly but with eager nervous voices. One younger couple sat quietly staring out at the passing trees clear sky and a few scattered park buildings. Time seemed to shift during that ride to the top of the South Kaibab trail. Even through the windows the views from the top of the Canyon were magical. The elevation on the South Rim of the Canyon reached over 7 000 feet. At certain points we saw visitors walking along the edge to admire the scenery. I had visited the Canyon just once during a winter vacation to Arizona with my ex-wife just a few years before. Unfortunately the trail was icy at the time and we cautiously hiked down only a short distance before turning back. Like most awestruck tourist I spent the previous visit walking along the rim snapping too many pictures and admiring the views from the top of the Canyon. As we gazed out the window of the bus I could catch glimpses of the same views that enchanted me years before. I recalled that at certain points along the rim you could catch a glimpse of the Colorado River almost a mile below although the folds and contours of the Canyon walls usually hide it. During the ride all of our plans for hiking down into the Canyon took on a new reality. I finally realized in the pit of my stomach that we were really going on this trek and that we were going to be descending an entire mile in elevation - carrying a heavy backpack every step of the way. To calm my inner turmoil I reviewed once again why

$11.98

"Fodor's. For Choice Travel Experiences. "Fodor's helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you're at the helm, Fodor's offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It's like having a friend at the Grand Canyon -"Fodor's In Focus Grand Canyon National Park" features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so "you "make the choices to plan "your" trip of a lifetime. -If it's not worth your time, it's not in this book. Fodor's discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor's Choice designations, ensure that you'll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Grand Canyon National Park. Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, Travel Deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.