September 24 was my 40th birthday. I am one of those people that really enjoys my birthday and always looks forward to it, but usually we do things low key, have a fun birthday party with the family and nothing more. Since this was my 40th and my wife celebrated her birthday the next day on the 25th, we decided to do something special and visit the Grand Canyon and spend the night in Flagstaff.

Not only was this possibly the best birthday I have ever had, it was also one of the best vacations we have had as a family. It was relaxing and very nice to get away from the city.

If you have never been to the Grand Canyon it must be added to your bucket list. The weather is perfect and the view is unbelievable. Sometimes you forget how beautiful the world is living in the city and dealing with traffic everyday, but when you visit a place like this you realize there is still a lot of beauty out there.

We hiked along the South Rim Trail because we were not quite ready to climb down the Canyon itself. We took in the great weather and got a nice cardio workout with the steep inclines and declines. We are already planning another trip out there with an overnight stay in one of the lodges at the Canyon and a train ride.

Simply put, just go there and see what all the fuss is about. It is not just a big hole, it is a true natural wonder and one I plan to hike down some day soon.