Shoutout to Phillip

I pulled off the side of the road as I was approaching the grand canyon to admire the view. The pull-off turned out to be a trailhead and was marked indicating a permit is required to be there. I stayed on the side of the gate closer to the road and walked in a ways to admire the view. After going back to my car and sitting for a moment still admiring the view an officer pulled up (park ranger/security?) and we spoke briefly. I asked if its ok that I'm here. He asked how long I'd be here for and I stated about 10-20 minutes. I let him know that it seemed peaceful and I wanted to journal for a bit before moving along into the park where it would be bustling with people. I wanted a short time of silence to exist and appreciate the grand beauty of the land. He let me know it would be ok for me to stay for a little bit, normally a permit is required but he said to let anyone know that he said it was ok if I was given issues. He told me just to make sure I don't go to the edge, I assured him I would not.  And in that moment - I had no plan to. Normally, I do quite enjoy walking the edge of a cliff and looking down into the unfathomable abyss that is the drop-off. 

Sometimes conversation, kindness, and honesty really does get you where you want to be.  The land here feels so raw, so unaltered. Sure there are hiking trails, but the land has remained exactly how it is meant to be. There is a soul to it that you don't feel in the city. So many people come and go on a daily visit - eyes wide as they take in the sheer beauty of the Grand Canyon - its a bit wild to think about. But of these people, how many truly feel a connection to the land? To the history? How many stop to think of those that have come before us and those that will come to follow? The national parks are so well preserved despite the sheer volume of visitors. That is what the national parks are all about. Preserving our land the way it has always been meant to be.