Good-bye Grand Canyon, Hello Las Vegas

On Tuesday morning I left the elegant, but cheap, Knights Inn located just off the interstate in Williams, Arizona. The day's itinerary was to drive part of historic Route 66 towards Grand Canyon West. The drive along Route 66 was interesting as they had a number of the old Burma Shave sign and in each little town they had kept the old facades and neon signs from the 60's. It brought back memories I didn't even know I had. It didn't trigger much emotion though. I guess nostalgia is quite what it used to be.



In the little town of Peach Springs I stopped to as for a recommendation as to the best way to get to Grand Canyon West. I was advised to take the paved highway and to avoid the dirt road that would cut thirty miles off the trip. The gal at the info desk felt that taking the paved road would be faster and safer. So based on her suggestions, well, I did the opposite. And I am glad I did.



I averaged over 50 miles per hour on the dirt road so I actually saved time. The road was fairly smooth in some places, but as rough as a washboard in others. I have had my crossover SUV for three years now and this was the first time I got to use it to the fullest. The car bounced up and down and slid on the loose gravel in the turns. Wheeeeee!



The last several miles were though a forest of Joshua trees. They were strange looking trees that were always space away from each other as if they were anti-social.

The road up to Grand Canyon West is also unpaved for 14 of the last 21 miles. It snakes it way up the bluff while each car kicks up a giant cloud of dust. Unfortunately, some people drove like little old ladies and the traffic would back up behind them, choking on the dust and their impatience. And for added difficult in driving, the oncoming traffic blinded the drivers further. So when we all finally got to the top, the three little old ladies in the lead car got out, beaming at their ability to drive a mid sized sedan up the hilly, winding road at the breathtaking speed of 3.4 miles per hour.

One of the reasons I had wanted to visit Grand Canyon West is that I had seen on the news about a year ago that they had built a Skywalk out over the canyon. I didn't know much about it, but it sounded different, there I was in Grand Canyon West. Now the entire attraction of Grand Canyon West is operated by and for the benefit of the Hualapai Indians. And they have the attraction very well organized. When you get to the top, they charge you $20 to park. Then, if you want to see anything, they charge you $35 to ride a tour bus to the rim of the canyon. The first stop on the bus tour is their new Skywalk. At that point they charge another $35 to walk out onto the Skywalk. But first they make you check your camera and cell phones at the door so you cannot take pictures. It sounded like a scam, so I did it....and regretted it. Even though the Skywalk has a Plexiglas floor, and you can see though it to the canyon bottom, the view was not much different that most other places where you could walk up to the rim and look down. The Skywalk wasn't even directly over the Colorado River, which would have been a unique view.

It occurred to me that in the course of history what had happened to the Native Americans ever since the first settlers arrived, the Hualapai had found a way to return the experience.

But I did get a couple of pictures of the canyon from the approach to the Skywalk.

The second of the three stops on the bus tour was worthwhile. There was a point that extended out into the canyon, but at the tip of the point was a high hill. It took a bit of effort to climb the hill, as there was no path through the rocks, but it was worth the effort.

The view from the top was as good of a view as I had gotten anywhere.

Notice the helicopter in the picture above. The Indians had a couple of tour companies on site offering helicopter flights. There was a steady stream of helicopters flying the canyon below me.

There is another helicopter in the photo above. This perspective gives a good indication what a massive structure the Grand Canyon actually is.

Also at the tip of this point was an old lift station that had been used to support a mining operation that had worked a mine at the bottom of the canyon. The mine was play out a long time ago, but the lift station still remains.

The third and final stop of the bus tour was back at the starting point, but you had to pass through the gift shop to get back to your car. At least the washrooms were free.

So I choked my way back down the dirt road and started off to Las Vegas. But to pass between Arizona and Nevada you have to cross over a bridge that was built on top of the Great Hoover Darn. (Forgive me for the name change, but this is a PG rated blog because some of my nieces and nephews might be reading this). The Darn holds back the Colorado River as it leaves the canyon and creates Lake Mead. I did not take any pictures of Hoover Darn because I have plenty from when Cindy and I visited years ago.

I got to Bally's at about 4:30, checked in, then did a little gaming until it was time to pick up my brother David at the airport. Dave flew up from his home in San Diego. We had a late dinner, then walked over to Caesar's Palace where Doug, another brother, works. Doug runs tournaments in their poker room.

Yesterday was a slow day. Dave and I had a breakfast buffet, then I went shopping for more clothes. I didn't plan on 95 degree days. So we went to the Fashion Show Mall. While there we stopped at Half Price Tickets and bought tickets to see Penn and Teller. Then I went looking for shorts and short sleeved shirts. But nothing I looked at would work. Everything in that mall costs an arm and a leg, but after paying that price the clothes wouldn't fit. We left in search of a Walmart or a K-Mart. We found a Target. I bought three shirts and a pair of shorts for what I could have paid for half a shirt back at the mall.

Dave and I had dinner at Doug's last evening. Doug and his wife Susan grilled up brats and burgers. We then went to the Rio to see the show. I am not really into magic shows, but Penn & Teller were very entertaining. After the show we met up with Doug again and did a little gaming. I am beginning to realize that my free hotel room here is not so free after all.

This might be my last blog for a few days as I spend time with my brothers. On Friday I leave Las Vegas with Dave for San Diego. I will spend the weekend there before driving up to the Los Angeles area on Monday. Doug will be joining Dave and I in San Diego for the weekend.

If you know of anybody else that might like to read this blog, feel free to send them the link.

Bye for now