Grand Canyon Dreams

(no audio) It is early evening here at Grand Canyon National Park. The sun is hovering low on the horizon. Its rays reflecting brilliantly off the orange and brown cliffsides. The air is still, peaceful and welcoming, far from the buzz of civilization. Within the canyon here at Havasupai Gardens, the only sounds that can be heard are those of the natural ecosystem, a quiet stream passing through the landscape, the chirps of native ravens and wrens, the wind through tall reeds of grass, the vast open sky above paired with the deep cavernous terrain of the park leaves visitors with an overwhelming sense of spaciousness and buoyancy, in the perfect conditions to pause, relax, and enjoy the bounties of nature. So as we settle in for tonight's journey, let's begin our evening with a short wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. And we are going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So, are you ready? Let's begin. In for four. Two, three, four. Hold it for four. Two, three, four. Breathing out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four. Two, three, four. Holding for four. Two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four. Two, three, four. Holding for four. Two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. In for four. Two, three, four. Holding for four. Two, three, four. Out for six. Two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. (no audio) Descending just below the coniferous forests and plateau of the Kaibab is the tree-covered Toroweap. Darker than the limestone above and the Coconino sandstone below, the softer gypsum and shale of the Toroweap has eroded more readily than its limestone to form a sloping connection between the two formations. The variation of flora and fauna as one descends from the rim to the river is vast, as the air gets warmer and warmer below. Smaller pinyon and juniper trees mingle with an abundance of herbs, shrubs, and grasses. Pinyon jays feast heavily on the pine nuts and store them underground to repopulate the canyon with fresh saplings. All living things here are connected, as the indigenous tribes have always understood. Even the decaying tree continues to provide by sheltering small creatures and eventually returning to soil. The rocks that tumble down the valley help reshape the landscape during their journey from canyon wall to silt. Despite the harsh conditions in this semi-arid landscape, a rich tapestry of life flourishes. Revealed in the multitude of layers in the Grand Canyon is the story of what has managed to survive the millennia versus what has given way...