By Hans ten Kortenaar
My wife Joke and I have traveled frequently. And visited the United States of America about 5 or 6 times. I have sometimes been asked what was most striking and interesting during those trips. In fact, that is an impossible question. For the U.S. has so many impressive things to offer that choosing is well nigh impossible.
But if it has to be, for us it is the canyons. Especially the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon. The former offers beauties that are barely comprehensible when seen from a helicopter. The song “Fly Like An Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band evokes that feeling. In addition, a hike along (part of) the Grand Canyon is highly recommended. If you are lucky enough to have the weather cooperate, you will be treated to extremely special vistas of distance and depth.
In Bryce Canyon a hike between the numerous hoodoos is an absolute must. And preferably during sunset. With all the beautiful sights that come with it. You feel like you are in a very special city where the paths between the hoodoos seem like streets.
Very special about both visits to those canyons was that my parents were there, visiting with us. They visibly enjoyed it immensely. Pleasantly striking in both cases was the friendly helpfulness of the people working in both national parks. Not the too common obligatory stuff that some of the Americans seem to have a patent on, such as a bored-sounding, “Hi, how are you?” Nothing of the sort. Friendliness at its best. And on top of that: the national pride, the Stars and Stripes.
Hans ten Kortenaar is the author of, i.a., It’s my life and Sunflowers, among others.
