Journal Entry No. 57 April 21, 1838 "The Colorado Wilderness" By Johann Diederich, Naturalist The verdant forest gradually gave way to a rugged terrain marked by boulders and craggy outcrops before I stumbled upon the canyon's edge. The sight that met my eyes was nothing short of sublime. A vast chasm, its walls sheer and towering, their shades of red and orange carved by eons of erosion, surrounded me. The river, a ribbon of crystal-clear water, meandered sinuously through the canyon's depths, glistening like liquid sapphire under the morning sun. - JD