Even if you’ve seen the majestic peaks of the Grand Canyon before, there are always new things to learn about this incredible natural landmark. It’s hard to imagine that a place like this actually exists, but we’re fortunate enough to call our country its home. Here are a few fascinating facts about the majestic Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon is over 270 miles long.
Its valleys are up to one mile deep in certain areas, and it is 18 miles wide at its widest points.

Humans have used it for more than just a tourist attraction.
There are signs of human interaction within the Grand Canyon for millennia, and scientists have discovered ruins and other artifacts from as many as 12,000 years ago.

It took some 6 million years to form.
After millions of years of erosion by the Colorado River, the earth’s upraised crust eventually formed what is now the Grand Canyon.

There are over 100 known rapids in the Grand Canyon.
It’s not just rock – the canyon also includes a number of large waterfalls, rapids, and tributaries throughout.

Close to 5 million people visit the canyon per year.
Vacationers from all around the world travel to Arizona to peer over its many lookout points and explore Grand Canyon National Park.

• Grand Canyon [History.com]
• Grand Canyon National Park [National Park Service]
• Grand Canyon Facts & Figures [National Geographic]

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Looking for a fun, free museum to take the kids? Look no farther than the Bob Clarke Rail Heritage Museum in Live Oak. Owned and maintained by the San Antonio Model Railroad Association, this museum is home to a model railroad boasting more than 3,000 square feet of track. In great detail, the model railroad displays the trip from Fort Worth to San Antonio. Landscaping is impeccable and accurate in detail.

Bob Clarke Rail Heritage Museum even offers a "fun run" that allows visitors to operate the train with a little help from one of the friendly volunteers. The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are appreciated.

Bob Clarke Rail Heritage Museum
7702 Narrow Pass
Live Oak, TX 78233
www.samratx.org
www.yelp.com/biz/bob-clarke-rail-heritage-museum-live-oak

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A well-edited menu of soups, sandwiches, and salads can be expected at Buon Giorno Cafe, a small Italian fare eatery in a San Antonio strip mall. The potato and split pea soups are a popular choice here, best paired with a tuna salad sandwich, BLT, or seafood salad on a light and flaky croissant. This casual cafe also specializes in coffee drinks, such as cappuccino and espresso, as well as Italian pastries made in-house. Don't miss the cannolis, coconut pecan cookies, and tiramisu, all of which are well-received by regulars. Service is laid back and unhurried, while the owner is personable and friendly, making for an enjoyable light meal.

Buon Giorno Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays. Take-out is offered.

Buon Giorno Cafe
15033 Nacogdoches Road
San Antonio, Texas 78247
(210) 967-9830
www.facebook.com/pages/Buon-Giorno-Cafe/235452066513135
www.yelp.com/biz/buon-giorno-cafe-san-antonio

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/Alexis Fam Photography