After an intense week as a participant in the  Musician's Mentorship Program  with Canada's National Ballet School in Toronto, I am back in the good ol' US of A. The trip was a success, not only did I learn a TON in the program, but I got to see Canada for the first time, increasing my number of countries visited to 3! (Mexico and South Korea, if you're wondering about the other 2). I was surrounded by incredibly talented musicians who didn't hesitate to dish out their best advice, tips, and secrets to me. In addition, I was surrounded by some beautiful scenery and amazing sights. The trip got even better when Eddie flew out to meet me half way through the week, and even BETTER when I was able to meet up with a friend, known only through the blogosphere until now. Yes ladies and gentlemen,  Hilary of The Smitten Image  herself happens to live only minutes from where I resided in Toronto. I admit, it was a little like meeting a celebrity. I first "met" Hi...

While my husband Eddie was at the Grand Canyon for National Park Service training, he got up early one morning to watch the sunrise. That evening, he watched the sun go down. He took the camera, and snapped a picture from the same vantage point every 2-4 minutes! I thought it would make a great time lapse video (keep in mind I'm not Steven Spielberg!) and you could get a sense of the wonder that is the Grand Canyon! ~~~ Goodbye Breath If I was a Squirrel, I'd live in the Grand Canyon On the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown Life Among the Rock I Spy

Time to play "I Spy." Can you spy the pontoon boat at the bottom of the Grand Canyon? You may have to click to enlarge, or else put on the eye glasses you never wear! Here it is a bit closer...just a tad though (even though I zoomed all the way in). How about the kayak? (Thinking about my blogger friend at  Just One Life ) Here's the cheat sheet. And the fisherman? There he is. "No Picture or word, no brush or palette, no lens or paint, can extend the wonder of Grand Canyon beyond itself." - Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets  (IMAX) ~~~ Goodbye Breath If I was a Squirrel, I'd Live at the Grand Canyon On the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown Life Among the Rock

The Grand Canyon is a bird lovers paradise. But MAN, they're hard to capture well! This blue jay flitted from branch to branch. Ravens are quite common here, and larger than normal it seems. I thought this one was a vulture when I saw it soaring through the air. Mule deer are quite abundant also. They're as large as horses! This female was mid-munch when I snapped this photo. And the males are even bigger!!! (or maybe they're elk?) When these 2 made eye contact with me and took a few steps my way, I took that as my cue to find a different place to take photos! Eddie was warning me they're about to charge, but I kept insisting it was a bluff. Either way, we didn't stick around long enough to find out for sure! The plant life is vibrant among the barren rocks. This single tree reminded me of a Joshua tree. You know you're in the desert when... This colorful little butterfly let me snap pictures for several minutes. He was in no hurry. Countless creepy craw...

Most people who know Eddie and myself will agree quite readily, that out of the 2 of us,  I  am the worry wart. There are few things that will get Eddie worked up or anxious. "Missed my flight? Eh. Late for work? It'll be fine. Riding in a death cab? When it's my time to go, it's my time." I on the other hand am fairly certain I'm in the process of giving myself a large ulcer due to stress. That's one reason why this trip to the Grand Canyon has been a welcome and unexpected change in our roles.  Of all the things that bother me, heights has never been one of them. While Eddie spent the day in his Park Ranger Training (the whole reason we're out here in the first place), I explored several hiking trails and found the PERFECT one! It was right on the edge. Not so much as a rock wall or fence to keep us from creeping up to the very brim of the enormous hole in the earth.  Proud of my discovery, I took Eddie to the trail, excited to take some pictures o...

Okay, this may be the best photo I've ever snapped in my life. Someone who is great at making up captions,  please . This picture seriously needs a good one. Dinner with a view. High rise apartment. These little critters are just hoping the nature-starved tourists will drop a crumb. He thinks my camera is a candy bar. Scratch that. If I was a HUMAN, I'd live at the Grand Canyon!

Goodbye breath. You seem to have been taken away... Of Rocks and Mud  by Phillip Camitses "I have seen the dark rocks sitting still on the pale playa surface with their furrowed paths extending off into the distance. I muse over this image lingering in my mind. I have walked this unique quiet place in a desolate desert location of North America These rocks themselves have moved at one time. I have listened to others express their thoughts of rocks and mud. The traveling of these rocks remain without witnesses to find." It seems to be more than the elevation causing my shortness of breath. More to come from the Grand Canyon.