First Light Over the Canyon: Sunrise at Mather Point

Saturday, June 7, 2025 will forever have a glow in my memory - quite literally. That morning, the alarm rang painfully early, but with good reason. We were up and on the road by 4:30 AM , leaving the cozy Stargazer trailer in Valle, Arizona, behind us to chase something spectacular: sunrise at Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park . As we started our journey to the canyon, Venus shimmered brightly in the sky like a guidepost for dreamers. There was just a whisper of orange along the horizon, hinting at the sun’s slow, steady rise. My heart thumped with anticipation. This was my first time at the South Rim National Park part of the canyon. The journey felt like a pilgrimage. As we entered the park, sunlight began to filter softly through the evergreens, casting gentle shadows on the winding road. We found fantastic parking in Big Horn Sheep Lot 2 - a lucky break, given how many others were chasing the same miracle of morning light. I walked ahead, my feet moving...