Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

Monday October 15

Waking up and with a quick breakfast we were on the bus leaving the Grand Canyon behind us.

Round everyone up and let's hit the road!

Leaving the wooded country behind.

After leaving the wooded area around the canyon it was then out onto the more open country headed for Williams about an hours drive from Grand Canyon. Here was a block of old Route 66 memorabilia and more trains. This time the town also had a Grand Canyon steam train. It was in Williams that panic set in because boarding the bus but where was the little guy!! Ted had decided to stay longer talking to Elvis and forgot what time to get back to the bus. Luckily he did what he had been taught and when lost to stay in the one place. There was a happy ending when the bus drove around the block and picked him up.

First Stop! Williams Arizona

Ted with Smokey the Bear.

Ted with Elvis and where he was nearly left.

 

On the road again and the country changing again

The countryside becoming drier.

About half an hour out of Williams we turned off of the highway and travelled true Route 66 visiting Seligman. The main street lined with buildings smothered with Route 66 signs and more memorabilia. The street was lined with other tourist buses and a pity that not all drivers were considerate as ours. Dennis our driver had parked at the end of the street allowing everyone the opportunity to walk the street and to pick us up at the end.

Another stop at Seligman

The whole main street of Seligman is Route 66!

Graham and Shirley looking for a bargin.

Lloyd and Ted with Friends

More of Seligman

Leaving Seligman and the country becoming drier and vegetation lower.

The desert plains reach to the mountains.

Moving on it was a lunch stop at Kingman before pressing on to Las Vegas.

All of the sudden we started to climb and the landscape changing once again.

More rocky outcrops and a change at every bend.

Temperatures are wamer and the vegetation getting less!

However first we were to stop to view the Colorado River before driving past Hoover Dam. Years ago you could drive across the dam but these days for security reasons a new highway by-passes this massive structure. There were also glances of Lake Mead, the man made volume of water created by the dam.

Is that the Colorado River?

Getting closer to Hoover Dam.

Hoover Dam

Lake Mead

It was not too long before we were passing through Boulder City. This was a company city created while the Hoover Dam was being built where there wasn’t allowed any drinking or gambling. Even today it is the only place in Nevada where gambling does not take place.

Boulder City... once a non drinking town company town and still with no gambling.

It was not too long after leaving Boulder City that we were on the outer limits of Las Vegas. Before getting off of the bus we did a bit of a drive down the Strip passing the Graceland Chapel and the pawn shop made famous by TV. It was incredible the number of people lined up outside waiting to go inside.

After checking into Harrah’s, which is centrally located on the Strip, next door to the Flamingo and across the road from The Mirage and Treasure Island? Arriving in the late afternoon after a day of travelling the crowds, noise and action was a little over powering. We managed to venture from Harrah’s following our bus driver to find somewhere to eat. Many of the Casino’s have several entrances and it could have been very easy to become disoriented until becoming familiar with finding your way around. Especially with everywhere having “slot” machines and all looking the same.

After grabbing a bit to eat it was a matter of getting changed for our “wedding” at Graceland Chapel.

Anne and Jeff made their way to the chapel and were waiting for the rest of us when we arrived by the limo which had picked us up. With the formality of photos out of the way Elvis arrived and commenced with the ceremony. The whole experience was a hoot and the photographer setting a fun scene prior to the Elvis arriving.

Getting ready to go to the Graceland Chapel - Judy, Lloyd, Glen and Teri

A limo ride to the chapel.

Our wedding guests - Anne, Jeff, Ted, Shirley and Graham

With the formalities out of the way we all made our way back to Harrah’s where we found a bar and had celebration drinks. There was even an opportunity to get in a bit of dancing and boot scooting.  It was bit of a late night but at least there was no pressure to get up early next morning as there are two nights in Las Vegas.

Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon

This post  has been delayed as the internet connection at the Grand Canyon was very limited and although some posts have been able to be down loaded while on the bus... travel has been in areas where reception has also been limited. So on Sunday........

Sunday October 14

With views of the mountain, Flagstaff had the feel of a ski resort at 6,910 ft (2,106m) above sea level.  After an early night it was up again early before making our way to the Grand Canyon with a bit of a nip in the air. According to the hotel staff the snow is expected at the end of the month and with severe storms on the east coast this is quite believable. Before leaving we had a complimentary breakfast and while waiting could not get over seeing the number of guests parading through the area with dogs on leashes as hotel guests. Something we are not use to at home. It is also evident that there are water issues in the US (the TV is news reporting increased prices and small portions of food in restaurants because of food shortages due to drought conditions). Amazingly the hotel was also fitted with dual flush toilets and a bowl where the water level did not look like it would overflow with next flush! This has been the first place we have seen any water saving in seriousness.

The hotel in Flagstaff and our transportation

First  stop was a the Trading Post in Cameron which is a small community on route to “The Canyon” and provided an opportunity to pick up a souvenir or two from an incredible amount of Indian crafts and artwork.

First stop Cameron

Another trading post and another place to shop.

Leaving Cameron we started to further west and into the Grand Canyon National Park where the native pines wooded the drive and the park. Once inside the park there were plenty of squirrels and elk roaming and not too difficult to spot.

Ever changing country on the way to the Canyon

Every corner a different scene.

Some country looks very familar.

Getting closer to that great hole!

Enterance to the National Park

Once inside the park our first stop was at the Desert View Watchtower which gave us the first good look at the Grand Canyon from its high vantage point.

First stop at the Desert View Watchtower

Inside the watch tower

Our first views of the Grand Canyon

Ted enjoyed the view!

Great views of the Canyon and Colorado River

Lunch was sitting in the sun on a low wall the Grand Canyon in all its glory as backdrop and life not getting much better than that.

Lunch was shared with the locals.

A bit of planking at the canyon by Ted!

A bit of planking at the canyon by Lloyd!

Walks and views from the park visitor's centre

After lunch we all made our way out to the airport where the group took a half hour flight over the canyon. Taking off we headed out over the wooded area of Pinyon-Juniper and Ponderosa Pine and at first it looked like we were flying away from where we should have been going. However it wasn’t too long before we took a turn and then all of a sudden we were heading over the edge and the magic of the canyon was spread out below us. The flight seemed to go in slow motion giving plenty of opportunity to view the colours and shapes created by the shadows from all different directions. Before we knew it we were heading back to the airport and the main part of the accommodation areas where we would be spending the night.

Time to go flying

Anne and Jeff seeing the sights from the sky

Flying to the Canyon

All of a sudden it was a turn and over we went!

What a way to see the canyon.

The Gang!

It was decided to wait before returning to our accommodation for the night and to catch one of the many shuttle buses out to the rim to try and capture the sunset on the canyon. Catching one of the last shuttles back we then made our way to our motel. The area was not all that well signposted or many lights to guide our way (although Jeff did have a camping light strapped to his head to show us the way). We had to find building number 5, which we did once but all did not see right... where was the bus!. Finally we managed to find our bus, driver and beds for the night. Later we found out that there were two building number fives, an east and a west. We had been trying to find the wrong one, weary, hungry and walking around in the dark.

Sunset at the Canyon!

Changing light, colour and shadows

Where is the touch Jeff?

Due to the location and availability of the net it was not going to be possible to post an update until Monday and closer to our next destination.