Grand Canyon Letters is today’s blog post topic especially given on this day back on January 11, 1908 the Grand Canyon in northwestern Arizona was declared a national monument by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
“In January 1908, Roosevelt exercised this right to make more than 800,000 acres of the Grand Canyon area into a national monument. “Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is,” he declared. “You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.””
Grand Canyon Letters
The book entitled First Through Grand Canyon: The Secret Journals & Letters of the 1869 Crew Who Explored the Green & Colorado Rivers, revised edition” looks to be one I will enjoy reading!
“In May of 1869, eleven men embarked on a journey of exploration and discovery. 98 days later six of them arrived 1000 miles away after navigating the Green and Colorado Rivers to the end of Grand Canyon. The journals and writings of the expedition leader, John Wesley Powell have been extensively published but here, for the first time, are the newly transcribed, unabridged journals and letters of some of the other members of the group. Author Ghiglieri has used his extensive river running experience to introduce the whole group and their exploits of courage and endurance.”
Of course there are some U.S. stamps celebrating the Grand Canyon! And trust that there will be more on the Grand Canyon including more stamps in a future blog post. The image above today is of the 2000 60cent Grand Canyon stamp from the Scenic American Landscapes series.
Do you have some fun memories of the Grand Canyon? Any Grand Canyon Letters you wrote from there ? Postcards you sent from there count! I’m recalling among the trips made there one when I was really young – with one of my favorite photos – it is of my oldest brother and me at dusk with the Grand Canyon and we are right up against the railing with the Grand Canyon right behind us! Although I sent a copy of that photo of us several years ago to him, it is time to send it again and this time I will send one framed in a 5X7 and while I’m at it get one for me too! Here’s to wishing us a GRAND week ahead!
Anchors Aweigh,
Helen
Attribution & Thank you to the following who are referenced today —
Image above upper left U.S.P.S. Stamp, #C135, 2000 60¢ Grand Canyon from the Scenic American Landscapes as shown on Mystic Stamp Company site.
Image above of Cover and Synopsis from First Through Grand Canyon: The Secret Journals & Letters of the 1869 Crew Who Explored the Green & Colorado Rivers, revised edition by
Excerpt from This Day in History January 11 1908 Theodore Roosevelt makes Grand Canyon a national monument
