The idea for this road trip came while watching a PBS show last winter on the great lodges of the National Parks. The show featured the Grand Canyon Lodge, and by the time the closing credits were rolling, Lisa had pulled out the road atlas and was making plans.

It was built in the late 1920s by the Union Pacific Railroad. Decidedly rustic-looking on the outside, the inside of the main building looks like a castle with high ceilings, a dining room reminiscent of a medieval hall with plush lounge chairs, a fireplace and oversized windows to enjoy the view.  

The accommodations aren't in the lodge but in nearby cabins. Our log cabin featured two rooms separated by a bathroom. Katie slept in a bunk bed made of logs, while Lisa and I each had our own beds next to the windows where we could look up at the stars. Just steps from the canyon rim, it was a great experience to stay there.   

For dinner, we decided to go on the Grand Canyon Cookout Experience. A train picked us up and took us a couple of miles up the road to a large tent where we ate brisket, beans, corn and biscuits. It was a bit overpriced and the entertainment definitely campy, but fun nonetheless.