RSB, Grand Canyon 2024
I had no idea what to expect from volunteering in the Grand Canyon. Desert? Cactus? A big hole? What I found was profound and something completely unexpected. I found a sense of peace and solace.
I worked alongside nine McNair Scholars who volunteered with the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. We spoke with close to 5000 visitors over five days. We helped people find the canyon, the restroom, the visitor center, the gift shop, the shuttles, and, of course, handed out thousands of maps.
We talked with folks from all over the world. They came to us excited to see the canyon and experience nature in action. Visitors had questions, and we worked to give them correct answers. We saw people come back with smiles on their faces and excited to see more. We saw folks ignore our directions, only to come back and listen to us the next time.
I had the pleasure of traveling with my wife who is also an employee of Texas Tech. On Wednesday we were given the opportunity to explore the park. We hiked along the rim trail and found Hermit's Rest. From there we saw a different side of the canyon than what we saw from the visitor center. We noticed the clouds changing the shape and color of the canyon as they floated past. We watched the ravens play among the trees and rocks. We enjoyed time together hiking and viewing an area of the world we had never seen before.
We also froze. It was cold most of the week. It snowed on Friday, our last day in the park. Yet, it was perfect. The canyon changed. The people were still excited to see what they could see – though the canyon was masked in fog and mist.
The Scholars grew throughout the week. They became friends and family. They laughed, joked, cried, and found an energy that was not there before. We all found something new and exciting in the canyon. It was special.
I yearn to return again…
