This week Melissa Biggs Bradley transports you to the Grand Canyon for a conversation about how to get the most out of your trip to one of the greatest natural wonders in the United States.

President Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a national park in 1908 and famously said, "Leave it as it is. Man cannot improve on it; not a bit. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children and your children's children and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see."

The vast canyon was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and welcomes millions of visitors every year. To give a sense of its size, it spans a full mile in depth and is even larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Whether you're interested in hiking from rim to rim, or more simply marveling at its beauty, or somewhere in between, you should plan to visit the Grand Canyon at some point in your lifetime.

In this episode, Melissa welcomes Geno Kelly, a retired Arizona firefighter who has 45 years of experience guiding, rafting, and of course, hiking in the national park. He has a strong background in wilderness safety and a remarkable understanding of the unique geology, high desert flora, and history of the area. His depth of expertise and knowledge is astounding, and his true calling lies in helping travelers craft their own adventures to the Grand Canyon.