Discoveries…America National Parks: Grand Canyon

Just in time for summer vacation, this new entry in Jim and Kelly Watt's acclaimed high-definition Discoveries…America National Parks series looks at some of the most spectacular features of Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, which—at 18 miles wide and a mile deep—offers one of the world's most stunning examples of the power of erosion, displaying a rugged beauty that attracts a nonstop stream of visitors who come to hike, climb, run the rapids of the Colorado River, or just gaze into the abyss. Many awestruck travelers share comments here, including some who wait patiently to photograph—or simply to witness— the “magic hours” of sunrise and sunset. Wildlife is also featured, with a focus on the reintroduction of the California condor—an endangered species with a wingspan of more than nine feet, making it the largest land bird in North America. In a brief history lesson, viewers see old black-and-white stills of Lee's Ferry, where Mormon Jacob Hamblin crossed the Colorado River on a raft in 1864; today, this is a starting point for thrill-packed rafting trips (contemporary footage shows vacationers screaming with delight on a rough-and-tumble run). Also included is archival film of guide Georgie White Clark, who in 1952 would become the first woman to row the full length of the Marble and Grand Canyons. Serving up striking visuals that make for a compelling viewing experience, this is sure to appeal to armchair travelers as well as those who are planning trips. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)