Up early for breakfast as today a long trip. We set off after breakfast to drive to the Grand Canyon. We decided to do a round trip of the South Rim. The roads are well sign posted and the route took us through the San Francisco Montains. One of the peaks has snow on the top, it is the highest point in Arizona at 12633 ft. It dominated the scenery everywhere we looked. We were in Navajo territory, climbing higher and higher in altitude and the scenery got more and more dramatic. As we went along highway 64 we hit a stretch called Desert View. It goes for miles and is a combination of desert and canyon formations, many are spectacular and breathtaking, Lel and Pat were saying " look at that over there" each time we turned a corner or bend. Little did they know what awaited them!
We eventually arrived at the entrance to the Grand Canyon Natonal Park, the ranger was quite humorous, asked where we were from and explained that the guide would need translating as it wasn't in English but American. He wished us a good stay in the park and hoped we enjoyed our stay. I have to say that virtually every American we have met has been really friendly and genuinely pleased that we are using ther couuntry. All are really amazed when we say we are travelling Route 66 and all wish us a safe journey.
We parked the van and proceeded to walk to the watchtower area on the South Rim. This is a build built by the native indians for protection. It gives a great view across the canyon. A few years ago when we first visited I came remember the "wow" factor on my first view over the rim, it certainly doesn't lessen on the 2nd visit!
Sarnie was taking pictures on her phone, am sure some of you have seen them but we were all in awe of the natural beauty before us. The colours of the rocks are amazing and the mountains look like they are a painted backdrop. It doesn't seem real as strange as that may seem.
It is really hard to describe how amazing this place is, you really do have to see it to appreciate how wonderful it is.
There were mobs of people there, so many more than when we last visited. We travelled around the rim, stopping at each viewpoint to take in the ever changing view.
Many pictures were being taken including "selfies", panoramas and normal shots.
After some 2 hours we arrived at the visitors centre where we had a break for lunch.
Sandra and myself couldn't get over how much the place had grown and changed since we were last here.
I hate to think how many visitors this place gets each year!
We saw a few helicopters flying people into the Canyon, maybe something to consider when we get to Vegas.
Our drive took us back through the Kaibab National Forest area. The landscape was really different to our drive to the Canyon. Still spectacular, on our way back Lel was trying to get a picture of the mountain with the snow on it, but each time she tried the trees got in the way! Eventually we managed to get to a clearing and she got some nice shots.
We arrived back in Flagstaff tired after our long drive, so we had dinner in the restaurant next to the hotel, TBone steaks, delicious!!!!!!
A few drinks in the room and then to bed.
Lel and Pat were still talking about how amazing the Canyon was, think it really made an impression on them.
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