Has development enhanced or detracted from this natural wonder?
By rhinoboy
@rhinoboy (2129)
March 27, 2007 11:22am CST
Few tourist attractions at the Grand Canyon have generated as much hype as the Skywalk, the mammoth glass-bottomed deck that extends 70 feet past the rim of the Grand Canyon and offers breathtaking views 4,000 feet over the canyon floor.
It's being touted as nothing less than a spiritual experience. David Jin, the Las Vegas businessman who paid $30 million to build it on the Hualapai Reservation, goes as far as to say that it enables visitors "to walk the path of the eagle."
I copied the article above from the Seattle Times site (gives a better description than I could!).
What I want to know is your opiions on whether this mammoth construction serves as a worthwhile tourist atraction or is just another blight on an otherwise beutiful landscape. I can appreciate the desire to claim some of the tourist dollar, but surely there are already enough 'experiences' available to enjoy the canyon without acually building directly into it?
2 people like this
8 responses
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
2 Apr 07
You know it does give the visitor a view they could not get otherwise. That is a good point. BUT having said that I think they should do as little to change the natural beauty that is the Grand Canyon.
It is a double edge sword for sure. I'm sure that adding this will increase tourism revenue BUT are more tourists what the Grand Canyon needs?
Oh now you got the wheels going in my head ......
1 person likes this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I strongly feel that they should protect the environment first and foremost. Supposedly they have people who are to do so. I just don't see it happening. It really is a shame.
For all that America has that is wonderful; it has so many issues. Wanton distruction of our land for the sake of a dollar. This stupid war we are in (which I still haven't figured out what happened to Osama?). People homeless in the 'richest nation in the world'. People hungry ....
Ok I should climb down off the soap box now. Sorry didn't mean to go off like that.
1 person likes this
@rhinoboy (2129)
•
2 Apr 07
I completely understand your meaning. I was apalled to see the poor level of assistance given to the residents of New Orleans etc after the devastation of Katrina.
Monkey-boy bush was too busy fighting for oil on the other side of the world. As a 'victim' of his chum, Blair, i just wish our governments would do their REAL job of looking after OUR interests rather than their own.
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@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
As I have stated on other discussions, I love mountains, and the more rugged the better. I just love the Scottish highlands and the Grampians here is Australia.
I have no desire to visit America (no offence to my American friends) but for the Grand Canyon I would make an exception. It is the only place there I WOULD like to see. I have caught just a glimpse of the Skywalk on TV and I would love to walk it, but it would have to be without my husband. He'd never do it.
There are pros and cons for everything, and the Skywalk would be no exception. It certainly takes away the "natural" beauty of the place, but it also allows people to see more of the natural beauty. Given that the Grand Canyon is such a gigantic place, does a modern construction in this little area really matter? To some it would. I presume there are parts of the Grand Canyon that are untouched by modern intervention?
For me, if I ever have the chance I would like to "walk the path of the eagle".
1 person likes this
@rhinoboy (2129)
•
2 Apr 07
Isn't their tagline great!!?
We took a trip to the states, and I was absolutely dumbfounded by the amazing scenery available, especially the diversity you can see within a few hours drive. Some friends are mad-keen on disney world and the Florida theme parks, but that stuff doesn't interest me whatsoever. (As me again when my daughter's 10!)
I think it was just because in the UK we only have one climate, whereas in the states, we once drove through grasslands, mountain forests, and deserts all in one day!
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I have seen it on the news, heard some of the interviews and still wonder at why it is a big deal. It will bring money to those that need it in the area. Is becoming part of the scenery so to speak. This will allow others that may not be physically able to enjoy the park in other ways. I thought is kind of beautiful to be added to the landscape. The glass bottom would weird me out a bit I think.
1 person likes this
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
14 Nov 07
I think it must be a beautiful sight but it all depends on the person viewing it. Beauty is indeed left to the beholder to behold so it must be an individual expereince for each onlooker to decide what they make of it. I would like to visit and see for myself what it is like then I can make a valid assessment of it anhd give a fuller and more qualified description according to my senses.
@alanna_liadon (189)
• United States
31 Mar 07
I think this is an ugly structure. The Grand Canyon was plenty beautiful and breathtaking as it was and did not need any marketing enhancements. The Arizona parks need more money because the money is being spent in other places (in my opinion the money should be spent on the parks). You won't catch me hyping this Skywalk, that's for certain.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
28 Mar 07
I have visited the Grand Canyon on a mini plane and I think it is truly one wonder of the world. We took pictures but they just cannot convey adequately what I felt than. It was truly a wonder and hard to put down in words or pictures. You just need to feel the place yourself.
I read about this Skywalk thingy on the papers and saw a picture of it. I think it mars the landscape a little - though I wouldn't go as far to say that it is a blight. If I was to stand there right at the end of the Skywalk, hmm.. I think I might enjoy the experience too. ;-)
@billy_shears (144)
• United States
30 Oct 07
I took a vacation there last summer and stayed at the South Rim. I didn't even see the sky walk. I'm not worried, I think it's plenty big to accommodate a glass ledge.
@mlhuff12 (797)
• United States
14 Oct 07
I have been lucky enough to see the grand canyon, it was a great site to see. But when I went the skywalk wasn't there yet. And I think that that would be really neat to experience.
