Although we left LA early in the morning, we still managed another big breakfast before being packed away on our coach. The trip across the Mohave Desert was unremarkable which worked out well for our US tour guide who now proceeded with his introductions. He lived in Utah with Mormon neighbors and our very capable coach driver lived in Las Vegas. The mike was then passed down the coach for all of us to introduce ourselves. OMG – 90% of our touring party were Aussies with other couples from New Zealand, Belgium, Britain and the States.
We turned off the I40 just past the town of Needles and arrived in Lake Havasu City in the late afternoon. The city has two claims to fame. It is the home of the original London Bridge and it is the hottest city in the USA. The resort room was like a townhouse (Lounge, Kitchen, etc); unfortunately we got the room with the big puddle of water (toilet overflowed). We had to wait for an eternity while the Janitor ‘fixed the room up’ so no chance to get out and take photos with the rest of the group. We couldn’t wait to get out of Lake Havasu City (nobody told us the lake was in our room). Our prayers were answered the next morning and we were on the road towards the Grand Canyon.
We turned off the I40 and onto one of the last original stretches of Route 66 and stopped at an unknown town, complete with tourist traps. The town’s claim to fame was that it was on Route 66 and was the gateway to the Grand Canyon. I realized that somewhere along the way, we had crossed over from California into Arizona without any fanfare.
Before we could say ‘where did our money go’, we were back on the road again. It wasn’t long before we passed the Grand Canyon Valle Airport (with a US Air Force museum) and the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center but still no sign of the canyon. Coming up on the South Rim of the canyon was a complete surprise – you’re on a flat plain with the canyon carved out by the Colorado River, which is 6,000 feet (1,900 m) below.
No amount of words does this place justice. I sometimes think that even the best photos don’t really communicate that feeling of awe and fear that you get, standing on the South Rim and looking 18 miles (30 kms) across to the North Rim. Let alone looking west or east and seeing the canyon disappearing over the horizon.
From my perspective, I have a fear of heights and a loathing of crowds, so there was no way that I was going to get caught on the rim surrounded by a crowd of rabid tourists all pushing forward to get their ‘once in a lifetime photo’. That didn’t stop me from inwardly freaking out when I saw Jadeite driving low into a sea of bodies (cause she’s short) to get ‘that shot’ or a bunch of kids playing right on the rim that has no safety fences.
The overnight stay at the El Tovar Hotel was pleasant, with Canyon sunset views outside our room and the restaurant, where we had dinner with another couple from our tour group.
Early next morning we set off to the airport for a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. I wasn’t that worried about the ride, as I was assuming that we’d all be in a big troop carrier. No such luck! We were broken up into groups of four, weighed and told by the pilot where to sit in this very small ‘chopper’. A quick check that seat belts are on and then we are flying over a pine forest towards the canyon. A little bit of turbulence as we passed over the South Rim and it strikes me just how much bigger the canyon looks from ‘up here’.
Out over the middle, you look straight down at a brown line called the mighty Colorado River and then realize the distances involved and that brown stream below is a massive river that was then hosting the other half of our group, who opted to go white water rafting. We reached the North Rim and the pilot performed a big U turn and we were on our way back to safety with our coach waiting for us (on solid ground).
One more stop at the Desert View Watchtower and we bid farewell to the Grand Canyon and turned our heads towards a two day rest stop at Lake Powell.
