From the comfort of an EcoStar 130 helicopter, I gazed down on some of the most barren Mojave Desert I'd ever seen. When we did pass a dwelling, our pilot would note, "Rainfall is less than an inch a year out here. You have to truck water in. I have no idea how people survive out here."

I pondered the same thing until we passed Dolan Springs and Meadview. Granted, they were close to where the Colorado River runs into Lake Mead, but it still looked like a tough existence. The energy in cockpit picked up. I pulled out of my reverie. It was time to descend to Grand Canyon West, home to one of the most popular attractions on the planet: The Glass bridge.

We deplaned as the aircraft's propeller still whirled. I naturally hunched over. No idea why. There's at least six feet or more between my head and the blades. I snapped some photos of my co-passengers, a couple from Australia and a father and son from San Francisco. Then we hopped a shuttle driven by a very dignified Hualapai Indian lady and began the Skywalk portion of our tour.

Sky Walk the Grand Canyon!

The Grand Canyon Sky Walk opened in 2007 and has been a hit with travelers ever since. Each year the buzz gets bigger, with more than 200,000 people experiencing the walkway each year! This popularity is due to two things: The bridge's proximity to Vegas, which is 120 miles away, and the thrill of knowing you can walk 70 feet past the edge of the West Rim.

Fortunately, we had VIP passes. These let us cut to the front of the line. If you visit during summer, I recommend buying a tour that includes such a pass. It's hot out there and very little shade. I've heard the wait can be up to 90 minutes! I've endured the lines at Six Flags Texas so I don't have an issue with that. But the heat makes it a whole different ballgame.

No Cameras, Please...

There's a metal detector that non-VIP pass holders have to go through. This is to stop people from bringing cell phones and cameras onto the bridge. The ban is in effect because the glass panels, which cost $250,000 each, will chip and/or scratch if these personal electronics are dropped. FYI there are professional photographers available to take your picture for $20 (excellent quality!).

The glass bridge is a phenomenal piece of modern engineering. The infrastructure weighs 1 million pounds. The designed is a cantilevered, U-shaped, 10-foot-wide deck that has been built to withstand major earthquakes and wind storms up to 100 mph. I'm told it can hold up to 800 people but by law only 120 can be on it at once. There's no time limit affecting how long you can stay on it.

No ATM's - Bring Spending Money.

Cell service is sketchy at Grand Canyon West. At the time of this writing, there are no ATM's. This can be problematic, especially when it comes to tipping guides. I recommend you bring at least $100 in cash. Credit cards were being accepted for photo purchases. I didn't get a chance to try my credit card the adjacent snack bar (there's a total of three "shops" at Grand Canyon West.

Couple of tips:

• Eagle Point. - Great for photos with Skywalk in the background. The Point is quite impressive. There are no guardrails. Be careful. Our guide told us that a lady jumped across a 4-foot gap, lost her balance, and fell 20 feet into a crevasse. Fortunately, she was OK.
• Indian Cultural Center. - Examples of genuine Hualapai dwellings and teepees made of wood and pine branches rather than animal skins. Diverse mix of cactus. Photo opportunities galore.
• Native American Dancing. - Much of it is hosted at the amphitheater. Unexpectedly, I caught a wonderful performance in the picnic area just south of the Skywalk entrance by Eagle Point. The dance, performed by a female Hualapai elder, was mesmerizing.

The Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is absolutely a "must-do" when visiting Vegas. Some consider renting a car. I don't advise that. The last 10 miles of road is rough, rutted dirt. If you go the self-drive route, rent an SUV and fill up with Gas before turning off to Meadview. I say spare yourself the headache and take a bus, helicopter, or airplane tour. My heli flight was awesome and I wouldn't have it any other way. No matter how you get here, just make sure you do the bridge before leaving town.

Make It a Grand Day!