A Cross-Country Driving Trip in Our Morgan

Journal Pages
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Preparation

The Caboose Run

Boise and Park City

Bryce and Zion

Antelope Canyon

Grand Canyon

Cumbres & Toltek R'way

Getting to Nachez

Nachez Trace

Franklin & Athens

Blue Ridge Parkway

Concours

Autocross

Virginia

Annapolis

Finger Lakes

Niagara Falls

Iowa

The Home Stretch

The Grand Canyon

Saturday, June 10 - Page, Arizona to the Grand Canyon

What can you say about the Grand Canyon that hasn't been said before?  I have never seen this amazing place before, yet it was familiar to me at first glance.  It is overwhelming, majestic, awe-inspiring and a bit frightening.

Our drive over was relatively uneventful, except that Moggie doesn't have the power to pass on hills, so we had some long stretches behind larger vehicles.  And, her mileage is still awful at these higher elevations. 

We had reservations on the South Rim, in the village outside, but nearest the park - Tusayan.  We entered east of the park, and drove the allowable length (some roads are closed to private vehicles), exited and drove to our digs, the Squire Inn.  We hadn't learned about El Tovar, which is inside the park, until too late - we would have rather stayed there, but it is sold out a year in advance (we drove past it later in the day - it is spectacular - we also tried for dinner reservations there, but nothing reasonable was available - next time, we'll book in advance!).

Those minor disappointments aside, we headed for the airport for our first ever helicopter ride.  I think we were both a bit nervous, but once airborne, it was so much fun!  The sights were amazing, witness the photos below, and the ride was very comfortable, although a bit warm, the day being bright and sunny.  I had always thought that helicopters bounced around a lot, but it was actually a lot smoother than the smaller aircraft in which I've ridden.  I loved it!  And the sights - this is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, a World Heritage Site, part of our American heritage.  It is just, plain unbelievable.  Our shots from the helicopter follow.

After our helicopter tour, we went into the park and took one of the free park shuttles part of the way to Hermit's Rest.  The shuttles that the Park Service has implemented in several parks are a wonderful innovation - they have reduced traffic (and pollution) and improved the park experience for everyone.  The drivers are well-informed and courteous.  The last two shots were taken from the rim.

God only knows when/if we'll ever make it this way again - I sincerely hope so - I would love to spend more time here, taking advantage of the opportunities afforded the visitor - ranger talks, rafting, donkey tours. 

A note - thank God we weren't here two days ago - they had 14 inches of rain in an hour, complete with hail.  My goodness!

For dinner, we stayed at the hotel - we had a wonderful meal of elk filet - domesticated, raised in Texas.  It was quite good - denser, more intense than beef, but wonderfully prepared and not over-whelming.