First Walk and First Dance for Aldrin - Grand Canyon Skywalk Opens With Great Ceremony

Tuesday March 20, 2007

Today's VIP Grand Opening of the long-awaited Grand Canyon West Skywalk was an occasion to be celebrated. Buzz Aldrin, noted astronaut who walked on the moon, was there, Native American astronaut, John Herrington was there and tribal dignitaries from the Hualapai tribe were there. Along the canyon's edge were media representatives from BBC, Japan, and more.

As the cermony began, what caught my eye was the smile on Buzz Aldrin's face as he was invited to dance along with Hualapai women in a cermonial dance. He and his wife truly enjoyed this part of the ceremony. As Buzz walked the "first walk" the crowd cheered. Once the ceremony was finished, we were instructed to open our purple commemorative umbrellas to enhance the aerial photos that were being taken. It was a wonderful day and I learned that the reason for the attractions on Hualapai land was a noble one. The families and children, who have lived in poverty, will be the beneficiaries of the tourism dollars that will flow into this isolated and beautiful land.

Photo: Elizabeth R. Mitchell