14 minute read
Getaway
Visiting GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
One of the best things about living in Arizona is ready access to one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon National Park is one of our very favorite places to visit, all year round. On February 26, 2019, the Grand Canyon will celebrate it’s centennial – it was designated a National Park 100 years ago in 1919! Every season offers something different at the canyon, but this year will also host a many special centennial events.
You can get a new perspective of the majesty of the Canyon and its surrounding wilderness with every visit. Here is some advice for making the most of your visit to Grand Canyon National Park, every time you go.
IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE DAY TO REALLY SEE THE GRAND CANYON
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is about 3-4 hours from Phoenix, depending on your location in the Valley of the Sun. The most direct route is straight north on I-17 to Flagstaff, but there are a few out of the way routes that can avoid traffic (roads that go through Williams or Winslow, for example). While it may be possible to make the journey in a day, you won’t be able do much more than see the Visitor’s Center and walk the rim for a short while.
And rest assured, there is a little something for everyone in Grand Canyon National Park. From sightseeing, history, science, walking and shopping to wildlife viewing, camping, biking and hiking for every skill level, the Grand Canyon has all of the best features available in a National Park and more.
For the casual sightseer, paved paths are handicap accessible and allow anyone and everyone to walk a few feet or a few miles along the South rim of the canyon and enjoy its spectacular views. As time passes and weather changes, you never see the same scene twice. The shadows and light shift with the sun throughout the day to paint a new picture from every angle. This is a photographer’s paradise.
For the avid outdoors people, there is
hiking for every level of experience both along the rim and down into the canyon. Bikers will find paved bike paths throughout the park at the rim and campers can choose from a variety of campsites, whether using a tent, camper or RV.
VISITORS CENTERS AND THE RIM TRAIL
The first destination visitors usually go to once they enter the park is the Visitor’s Center at Mather Point. This is probably the most busy point, and popular parking area, in the park, but it’s also a great place to learn more and help plan where you want to go next. The main Visitor Center, hosted by National Park Rangers, provides great educational displays, materials and movies, as well as a Junior Ranger Program that is fun and educational for kids. You can shop in the gift shop, rent bicycles or grab a quick sandwich or drink at the coffee shop. It’s also a hub for the free shuttle system.
Other visitor centers along the Rim trail include the Yavapai Geology Museum and the Verkamp’s Visitor’s Center in the Grand Canyon Village. Each stop provides a different focus on the Grand Canyon and gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about its history, geology, wildlife and preservation efforts. They are also great places to help your youngsters earn those Junior Ranger badges, so take the time to stop at each if you can.
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, HERMIT’S REST AND DESERT VIEW
The historic, much loved Grand Canyon Village is also a definite must-see during your visit to the Grand Canyon. The National Park buildings and lodges along the rim tell the story of what it took to develop the park into a place that everyone can see and visit today. Fred Harvey, Mary Colter and the Kolb Brothers all left their mark on the park in their efforts to help tame the wild west and help people around the world experience the wonder that is the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Village has restaurants, shopping and lodging, and is the nearest point to the train station, if you decide to visit the park via the Grand Canyon Railway.
The furthest points along the rim include Hermit’s Rest, which is accessible by shuttle, and Desert View. Both of these visitor’s centers are worth the trip and provide a new and different view of the Grand Canyon, but be sure to plan ahead if you decide to make the trek. The Hermit’s Rest can only be reached by shuttle, hiking or biking along the rim, about 7 miles from the Grand Canyon Village. Desert View is located at the east entrance of the park, about 25 miles down the road from the main village.
BE SURE TO PLAN AHEAD
The busiest time of the year for visitors at the Grand Canyon is summer. Memorial Day through Labor Day is the peak season, in line with vacation times around the world. Temperatures are beautiful and mild in the spring, from March through May. Fall color is in abundance in October and November. The off-peak season is December through February but remember that you will encounter winter weather (and the hazards of cold, snow and ice along with it). Be sure to check the Grand Canyon National Park website for current weather and traffic conditions before you go.
Once you get to Tusayun, the town that sits about a mile outside of the park entrance, you will find a variety of lodging and dining options if you haven’t planned ahead and made arrangements in the National Park. It’s a great place to stay overnight and be sure to take advantage of the free shuttle that goes from the town into the park from March through November – it will save you a lot of parking headaches! Buy your park pass in advance to take advantage of this shuttle and save yourself time when entering the park.
Of course visitors won’t be able to see the whole park in one visit, but each point is worth visiting and spending some time. Be sure to check LadybugsBlog.com for more information about the Grand Canyon and other fantastic places to visit in Arizona. Happy travels!
COVER STORY KEEP NATURE WILD
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What does it mean?
Optimizing your Social Security retirement benefits means getting the best return possible on each dollar you’ve contributed to the system. Most jobs are covered by or are eligible for coverage under Social Security. This means that most Americans will use their benefit coverage at some point during their lives. The amount of Social Security benefits you receive will partly be determined by law, inflation, and other conditions outside your control.
Will you get out of Social Security what you’re putting in?
The answer to that question is tricky because you may never need to use some of the benefits you have earned. Social Security is both a pay-as-you-go system of benefits and a social program. If you retire at normal (full) retirement age, your retirement benefit will be 100 percent of your primary insurance amount (PIA). Your PIA is calculated by applying a benefit formula to your AIME(Average Indexed Monthly Earnings). The benefit formula is weighted to favor individuals with low earnings, than someone who had high earnings. You can’t change Social Security’s benefit formula, you can make some decisions during your lifetime that will affect the amount of your retirement benefit.
Decisions that affect the amount of your Social Security retirement benefit
Choosing when to start receiving retirement benefits is a personal decision but one that shouldn’t be made hastily. Taking your time to decide when you want to start receiving retirement benefits could save you thousands. When you retire at normal (full) retirement age, you will receive a retirement benefit equal to 100 percent of your PIA. If you retire early, you will receive a reduced benefit. If you retire later than normal (full) retirement age (but before age 70), you will receive an increased benefit. Because you want to receive the highest benefit, you want to postpone retirement as long as possible, right? Not necessarily. Even though you will receive less money per month if you retire early, over your remaining lifetime you may receive more than someone who retired late or at normal (full) retirement age.
How much you earn during your lifetime?
Since your retirement benefit check will be based on your average monthly earnings; earning more during your lifetime is one way to maximize your Social Security retirement benefit. The indexed income you receive during your highest earnings years (usually 35) is added up and divided by the number of months that elapsed during those years. The result is your AIME amount. Then, a benefit formula will be applied to determine your PIA upon which your monthly benefit will be based.
How much you earn after you retire?
Part of your Social Security retirement benefit is not payable if you’re under normal (full) retirement age and have earned income in retirement in excess of a certain amount. This is known as the retirement earnings test exempt amount. In 2018, you can earn up to $17,040 if you have not yet reached normal (full) retirement age or up to $45,360 during the year you reach normal (full) retirement age. If you make the same as or less than these amounts, your Social Security retirement benefit won’t be reduced. Once you have reached your normal (full) retirement age, your earnings in retirement won’t reduce your Social Security benefit.
Get the information you need to plan your strategy?
Before you can plan a strategy to optimize your retirement benefits, you can contact my office at (480) 473-9450 to calculate and help you determine your options.
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Vincent Esparza, CFP, CLU, NSSA
23335 N. 18th Dr. #136 | Phoenix, AZ 85027 480-473-9450 | www.vincentesparza.com Registered Representative offering securities through American Portfolios Services, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC Investment Advisory services offered through American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., and SEC Registered Investment Advisor - Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable and are subject to change without notification. The information presented is provided for informational purposes only and not to be construed as a recommendation or solicitation. Investors must make their own determination as to the appropriateness of an investment or strategy based on their specific investment objectives, financial status and risk tolerance. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investments involve risk and the possible loss of principal.
