Entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park is 270 miles east of Las Vegas, 247 miles north of Phoenix, and 60 miles north of Flagstaff. The Canyon is one mile deep and 277 miles long. Running along at the bottom, between the North and South Rims, is the Colorado River. It runs for 1,450 miles from Colorado’s Rockies to the Gulf of California.

The Canyon’s two rims are ten miles apart, and the multi-colored geological rock formations in between, from rim down to river. From the bottom up, they were formed in the Precambrian, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras.

However, the Grand Canyon isn’t just a geological wonder. The reason the U.S. government made it a national park is because it is also a glorious destination for visitors to see and enjoy its many facilities. People don’t often think about its ancient history while rafting on the mighty Colorado River or riding mules down the Bright Angel Trail. They also enjoy hiking through the multitude of trails along the North or South Rims or camping and RVing at the many welcoming sites throughout the Canyon area.

Henny Youngman, one of the great comedians of the now-gone Borscht Belt era told this travel joke: “I told the ticket lady at the airline counter to send one of my bags to New York, one to Los Angeles, and one to Miami. When she said the airline couldn't do that, I said, why not, the airline did it last week.”

We fondly remember the other great comedians of that era: Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis, Buddy Hackett, Red Skelton, Abbott and Costello, Danny Thomas and many others. Before going on to fame and fortune in film and TV, many started as “tumlers” at Catskill Mountain hotels.

Tumlers worked as stand-up comedians at night, and spent their daylight hours lifeguarding at the lake, waiting on tables, babysitting, greeting guests and other general duties. Their pay was as high as $50 a month, with a bed in a cabin room and meals free.

Some politicians, singers and athletes are always the butts of jokes. For instance, the recent activities of Sarah Palin. The romantic shenanigans of baseball’s Alex Rodriguez with singer Madonna. The governors and senators who wander from the marriage bed.

However, the most maligned of all has been Amtrak. For years, comedians have joked about the railroad’s frequent accidents, poor service and outdated equipment. One of the most outrageous anti-Amtrak demonstrations has been the annual California Hello ceremony at the California town of Laguna Niguel.

Early to mid-August is the best time to travel to Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County. That’s when the scenery is spectacular with green and gold fields, colorful flowers and scenes of Amish people on the roads and in farmers’ markets.

For eating, especially Pennsylvania Dutch family style in quaint restaurants, the fantastic food is freshly harvested from nearby farms. Take your cameras to record the colorful people and sights in such quaint towns as Ephrata, Bird in Hand and Intercourse.

For information on Lancaster County, go to www.padutchcountry.com ... or ... www.800padutch.com