Vacation Recap – Oct 2009 – Days 1 through 3

I had originally planned on posting a couple of blog entries while on the road this past week, but my inability to pack one pathetic power cord caused my laptop to lose its ability to power up.  Stupid Banana.

Grand Canyon South Rim

So I will post a recap of the first three days now for your reading pleasure.

Day 1 – October 13

On October 13th, my better half and I left Santa Cruz which was experiencing the beginning of a major winter storm.  We traveled over the hill to San Jose to catch our flight.  As usual, we were running late trying to get Mr. Muggins all squared away at the Pet Boarding Resort.  There were a few moments of tenseness as we fought the morning commute and the blinding rain to make it on time for our departure.   Without going into details, we did make it on time, barely.

Our US Airways flight was only 5 minutes late taking off which is amazing considering the nasty weather.  The flight to Las Vegas was very bumpy but fortunately not crowded which allowed the two of us to share three seats.

Upon arrival in Las Vegas at just past 11 am, we collected out luggage and found the shuttle to the car rental building which is about seven minutes from the airport collection spot.  Check in was easy and pleasant, and getting out on the road with our SUV was relatively pain free.  I did notice I was getting a headache and that there were lots of Euros milling about.

Once on the road, we made our way to Hoover Damn which my better half had never seen.  For me, I was last there there when I was nineteen, so the changes to the Visitor Center, the new “Security Zone” inspection, and the construction of the new Hoover Damn Overpass (freaking huge bridge) was interesting to see.   My first “other” impression was that there sure were lots of European tourist around.  Interesting.

After spending about an hour there, we hit the road to go to Grand Canyon South Rim.  The four plus hour journey took us from southern Nevada into northern Arizona.  My better half enjoyed the scenery except for all of the broken down old trailer homes that “ruined”  all of the valleys.  I enjoyed the SUV and Cinna stating every 15 minutes was a beautiful area this was except for the all of the broken down old trailer homes.   Can not confirm if any euros were involved.

We arrived the Grand Canyon just past 5:00 pm and checked into our room at Kachina Lodge.  While no ways a five-star place, it’s one major feature was a view of the canyon from our room.  And what a view it was.

As we unpacked, it was then I discovered that I had forgotten my laptop power cord.  This resulted in a couple of things; no blogging, limited number of digital pictures, and no way for me to recharge my iPhone.  Now my better half was fine with this because she wants me to kick my “technology” addiction and just to enjoy nature.  I pointed out that the limited number of pictures would make her habit of taking 20 pictures of nothing not as readily available.  She did not care.

We had a great dinner that night at the El Tovar Lodge and got to bed early for our next day of hiking.

I awoke at 1 am and realized that I was very sick.  Not from the food but from being on the plane.  My body was the guest-host of the dreaded airline “air-plague”.  I was determined not to let a minor thing like being sick ruin my vacation, nor my better half’s vacation.  So I did my best to get some sleep.

Day 2 – October 14

Wednesday morning arrived and I felt like SHIT.  But the show must go on so we began the day trying to find a market for some cold medicine and orange juice.  Also my wife needed a new hat to cover her head due to the weather being cold and windy.  It took us about two hours to finally get our bearings straight, to find the market and make our purchases, then we were off to see Yavapi Point.

Better Half with her new “DORK” hat

Yavapi Point – Grand Canyon National Park

The first thing to note about the Grand Canyon is the obvious.  It is HUGE.  Pictures can not do it justice and words escape me.  I was once again awe struck by its size, depth and timeless beauty.

After Yavapi Point, we took the shuttle back to the lodges so we could begin our trek down Bright Angel trail with only the intention of doing about 1/3 trail down into the canyon.  The trail head begins at 6,860 feet above the ocean. I made it down about 1 mile when I realized that I did not have much energy left.  Cinna decided that turning around would be the best. Let me tell you that going down is much easier than going back up.

Bright Angel trail – Note trail on plateau is 3,000 feet lower

Mules on Bright Angel trail

“Horses Ass” on Bright Angel trail

Bright Angel trail

Bright Angel trail

Also I noticed lots of Frenchies and Germans about.

After getting my breathe back and my heart rate almost to normal, we decided to take it easy by touring the west end of the South Rim via shuttle.  We did a little hiking, going about 1 1/4 miles, but for the most part just took in the various points of interest via the shuttle system.

Hopi Point – Grand Canyon

Hopi Point – Grand Canyon

Hermit’s Rest Entrance

I loved Hermit’s Rest and Hopi Point.  Also I noticed lots of Euro trash about with a scattering of Asians.

Look Out Studio – designed Mary Colter

Kolb Studio

Hopi House – South Rim – Grand Canyon

Look Out Studio – designed Mary Colter

Day 3 – October 15

Day three of our adventure started very early with us trying to catch the sun rising out on Yaki Point.  We would have made it except the sun decided to rise up earlier than we wanted it to.  Stupid Sun.  But since we were up, we decided to start our day.

After checking out, we hit the road to Desert View, another Mary Colter design.  Situated at the eastern end of the South Rim, it was another railroad tourist attraction that was designed by Mary Colter

Desert View – designed Mary Colter

Desert View – designed Mary Colter

View from Desert View

After almost four hours, we arrived at the North Rim around 1:30 pm.  The major difference between the North and South rims is the vegetation and the North’s lack of people.  I really enjoyed the lodge here and would have napped all day in the round viewing room but my better half had different plans for us.  So we hiked about a bit.

North Rim Lodge – Grand Canyon

Day three ended up with us crossing into Utah and spending the night at a very bad Best Western in the town of Kanab with me very sick.  It was a long sleepless night.

Next entry will be on the last 4 days of our adventure.