SURPRISE GIFT GIVING December 7, 2011

By Luisa

With our attention this month on gifts for the holidays, let’s admit it – we all DO like to be given pleasant surprises. The unexpected can make the difference between deeming a gift “nice” versus “awesome”!

The same goes for travel. While we all usually have expectations of travel experiences prior to our departures, isn’t it the pleasant surprises that wow us the most?

I experienced exactly that on our family’s Grand Canyon Expeditions adventure this summer. I was as impressed with the special, unexpected touches as I was by the larger-than-life scenery of the Grand Canyon. The surprise “gifts” we received from our GCEX guides all went a long way in making the entire experience a gift that keeps on giving. Every time I think back to that amazing family vacation river rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, I smile as if I was being given a gift anew.

Since some of us like to peek in the nooks and crannies of holiday packages prior to opening them fully, the following is a preview of some of the special aspects of a GCEX family vacation.

Surprise Bag of Tricks

There were a few key items that the staff brought along on our trip that pleasantly surprised us.

A few times Art, our lead guide, read to us after dinner from his favorite book, “The Exploration of the Colorado River and its Canyons.” Written by J.W. Powell – the one-armed explorer who pioneered exploration of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River – the book proved to be an inspiration for young and old alike. At first I thought, “The kids/teens are going to be bored by this.” However, as when one receives a gift, I was pleasantly surprised how all ages were enraptured by the amazing feats of J. W. Powell. My nine-year-old son Ethan made me take a photo of the book cover to remember the title so we could purchase the book once we got home. We did.

Another well-received “gift” from Art was the bocce ball set he brought on our trip. Twice during the week-long adventure, he took the teens and kids aside to play a competitive game of bocce ball amidst the sandy beaches of the Grand Canyon. Playing this fun activity against nature’s most beautiful backdrop is something Ethan will always remember.

Continuing these lovely surprises, our other river guide Beav read us an amusing thank you note written by a boy on a previous GCEX trip. Since he read it on the last morning of our river rafting adventure, it was an apt farewell. It transmuted our journey from the surreal world of the Grand Canyon to the man-made world we were about to rejoin.

Staff’s Special Gift Giving

The GCEX staff is the proverbial Santa Claus when it comes to giving gifts throughout the Grand Canyon adventure. These varied daily throughout the trip.

One that will echo with me for years to come is that of Beav playing a Native American flute atop a huge rock in Blacktail Canyon. We hiked into that canyon and during our free exploration time we heard the hauntingly beautiful tones evoked from Beav’s unexpected informal concert.  Even the children and teens were hushed by the simplicity of the sounds and the surroundings; it made our visit to Blacktail Canyon beyond memorable.

However, when it came to the youngsters and teens in the group, Art was the real proverbial Pied Piper. He was the first one to get into the water at Little Colorado River and show the kids how to safely enjoy the natural water slide there. What I found remarkable was his patience at allowing the youngsters plenty of time to ride the slide over and over again.

Every time we explored landside, the kids and teens were always hiking right behind Art leading the pack. While some of the adults lagged behind, the energy of Art and the kids was never- ending. I felt very safe allowing Ethan – the youngest on our trip at nine-years-old – to be a part of this group. Even though I could not see if he was hiking the winding trails safely, I ultimately felt that Art and the older teens were constantly looking out for the littlest one. This in itself was a gift to me.

Gifts For Foodies

Throughout the week, we were constantly surprised at the excellent meals we had. Keep in mind that all food for the week is transported on two rafts and cooked outdoors. From a Mexican dinner with all the fixins’ to one of the best grilled steaks I’ve had in ages that was served at our farewell dinner, we were constantly impressed by Beav and Art’s culinary skills.

I was especially pleased with the options that I had even though I have a number of food allergies. Additionally, my niece Lindsay is a vegetarian and Ethan is a picky eater. Yet we all had plenty of satisfying options throughout.

Since there were two young teen girls who liked to cook, they were often invited to help making the nightly desserts. They thoroughly enjoyed this activity and it made it more personal for them too.

A gift for all seasons

Although I wish I could transport myself back to the Grand Canyon during this hectic holiday season to hear the peaceful rush of the Colorado River lull me to sleep, I can instead look at the photos here and feel as if I am transported back to the biggest gift I was given this year: the privilege of becoming a part of Mother Nature’s most spectacular creation.

Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!