Twice I've floated down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon for research. Both trips were related to a Geoarcheology project focused on studying the sandy terraces that line the river corridor and the cultural sites they host. Some of the sites are thousands of years old and are rapidly being lost to erosion. Our job was to study them before that happens and figure out the best ways to stop or slow the erosion. Though the rim is perhaps more stunning, the Grand Canyon from the bottom is a whole different experience.