The Back of the Hoover Dam
Julia didn't know what the big deal was
I loved the contrast of the different rock layers...
After we stopped for a minute at the Hoover Dam, we continued our quest and drove, and drove, and drove. Drove forever it seemed. By the time we got to the Grand Canyon, it was around 3:00 and raining. I had forgotten to factor in weather to our trip because I had forgotten about rain! It drizzles in LA, but in the 11 months I was there, it never rained.
Julia and I were starved but there was nothing around, so we ate the gross, melted donuts I had in the back of the car. We had them for the moving guys who didn't eat them, so we decided to snack.
Ewwwww...
It took awhile to get into the park. When we finally got in, everyone was stopped. Being a typical city driver, I started in on the "Really?! C'Mon people, move!" Turns out, there was a family of elk on the side of the road, and I needed to calm down. Biggest animals I've ever seen. Their backs were probably taller than I am. Scary! They aren't dumb like deer though. They don't dart out in front of cars.
Huge Animal
The Grand Canyon is not like any other park I've been in. Not only are there campgrounds all around, but there is also a grocery store, post office, clinic, multiple hotels etc. etc. I was trying to read the map and drive. Not only that, but it was pouring and thundering and lightening out. We were driving around trying to figure out where the hell we were, and it was not going well. We got out at one spot and then both got scared because of the lightning. After being in the park for a half an hour, I was finished. I wanted to leave.
We walked into the grocery store and found out about the bus. I decided to change my shoes from my croc slip ons to my sneakers. I got to the car and discovered that my sneakers were gone. I think they fell out of my backpack in one of the hotels. When I called both hotels, no one had seen them of course. So in general, I was in a crappy mood, but trying to stay light for Julia's sake. While on the bus, we discovered that the stop we got off at was where we were before. It was at this stop that I realized Julia was terrified of heights! She wouldn't go anywhere near the edge, even if there was a railing!
Julia at our First Stop
After a disagreement which led us out of the park, Julia and I got back on track and ended up going up to Hermit's Rest. It had since stopped raining, but it was still cloudyish. We saw some amazing sights at the different stops along the way.
I loved the way the light looked here
Julia maintaining a good distance
She was so freaked out when I peered over the edge. At one point, she was running to try to warm herself up and she warned me not to get too close. I wanted to freak her out so I screamed and she came running to my spot and screamed "Oh my God! Diana!!!!!" I laughed. It was mean, but it was also funny.
I was afraid I would lose me shoes. Julia was freaking out when she took this picture.
The bus driver pulled over so that we could take this picture. The sun and shadows were so cool this day!
It was raining but the sun was out, and that makes rainbows!!
The Colorado River
Julia, getting a little closer to the edge!
Again, the light. I wish I could have painted a picture.
Me sitting on the railing, freaking Julia out.
We finally reached the top which is called Hermit's Rest. It's the western-most point of Hermit's Road in the Grand Canyon. There is a structure there now which is a gift shop and cafe. There's really no historical significance, but it was a great place to watch the sunset!
"It's true that we love one another..."
The sun, starting to set.
Beautiful sunset
She got really close to the edge at the end....She even sat on the ledge!
That night, we had to drive down to Flagstaff. By the time the sun set and we got out of the canyon, it was 8:30. We found the first dining establishment around 9:15. Then we still had an hour and a half to get to Flagstaff...It was a long day, but definitely one of the better ones!
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