Hello, river rats and valley girls, and welcome to one of nature's most exotic and awe-inspiring views! No, I'm not talking about the "Big Brother" house on CBS's backlot -- we're talking about the one and only Grand Canyon! Located in Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon National Park follows 277 miles of the Colorado river and the peaks and valleys that go along with it. As you can see, the beans were so excited to be here that they literally jumped out of their can. Hopefully they landed on the right side of the ledge, 'cause that first step is a doozy...

Somewhere around four million people a year make the trek out to see the Grand Canyon for themselves - and some (like our beloved vegetables) actually hop on the back of a donkey and ride down to the bottom to see what it looks like from there, too. (For those of you too lazy to go to the bottom of the canyon, try standing on your head. That's what the beans did at first, until all of the bean-juice ran to their heads.) The beans thought riding an old mule down the hill was pretty fun, and although it was a little windy and difficult to hear, they were doubly surprised when they thought they overheard someone say that the beast of burden's name was "Anna Nicole". Hmmm... That explains a lot, doesn't it?

So here the beans check out the mighty Colorado river, which is responsible for all that you see here. Of course, the river didn't wash away the limestone overnight -- no, it took a week or two. Okay, in all honesty the beans aren't sure how long it took for the river to become a canyon, but they fully suspect it was longer than any vegetable would've waited around to see, that's for sure. So, believe it or not, way back in 1869, explorer John Wesley Powell became the first person to lead a party through the canyon bottom in a boat, which was years before Gilligan and the Skipper gave it a try... (My good pals at Disney actually made a movie out of Powell's trip back in the 1960's - "Ten Who Dared", starring Brian Keith. True, it's no "Lion King", but it's still pretty entertaining.) Anywho, the beans had a good time on the Colorado river, and have sworn that one of these days they'll take one of those whitewater raft trips down the Colorado. After that? Who knows - maybe it'll be time for the barrel over Niagara Falls...

As you can probably guess, the beans really dig the view here, so that's why you get to see another photo of the canyon itself. If you've never made the trek to the Grand Canyon, the beans highly recommend it. For one thing, it's beauty in its natural state -- there isn't a single set designer or billboard in it. And besides - you'll be able to tell your grandkids one day about the fun you had here with a can of traveling beans. Okay, maybe you'll want to skip that last part, or else you may risk a trip to "the home"...

Finally, while in the Grand Canyon area, the beans swung over to check out the nearby Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch was built back in 1922, and is actually a lodge you can stay at, but since it's below the rim of the canyon, you shouldn't come here expecting The Plaza. They do have cabins however, and there is food available in case you want something to nosh (please don't eat the beans!), so it's not entirely "roughing it", but close enough. Anyway, the beans thought the Phantom Ranch was pretty cool, except for when he swung from a chandelier and began to sing "Music of the Night". It was at this point the beans hopped back on Anna Nicole and rode off into the canyon sunset. Believe me; you would have, too.