Grand Canyon

Yesterday left Rock Springs and should have hoped on to the 373 but went on the 374.  Had to backtrack about half an hour and we lost Mark but he knows where we are going.  

This was a 340 mile ride so about 6 hours travel but what a ride.  We ended away up the top of these hills and there was no traffic but very barren and windy.  Then down onto the green plains with small towns dotted here and there.  Then to a big dam with a huge lake all in the middle of nowhere.  It was very hot riding but from there on it got hotter as we were back down into the desert heading for Moab.

Fill up the gas tank about 20 minutes out and had 3 x 1.0 litre Gatorade then hit the road into Moab and to the camping ground where we had a cabin booked.  Just unpacked and next thing Mark arrived.  After setting up camp and doing laundry we went sightseeing.  If there is one thing you have to do in your lifetime, visit this place!  The colors and the rock formations - words cannot describe this place absolutely beautiful.  As we were there late in the day it was even better with all the shadows and the setting sun behind the red rocks.

Back at camp we went to this restaurant about 20 meters down the road and had one of the best home cooked meals of the trip.  They grew all their own vegetables out the back in their garden and everything was so fresh and tasty it was great.

Tomorrow Grand Canyon .

Its all about numbers here so will give you a rundown on today's ride.  Started on the 191 then after 3 hr got on the 160 to Kareta but missed Monument Valley so went on the 163 for 25 miles then back to the 160 then on to the 89 then 64 to the Canyon.  Miss a number, you are screwed.

Ideal weather for the ride till noon and by then wer are in the middle of the desert on the way to Monument Valley and then it hit about 40 degrees.  But the ride to see this work of nature was worth it.  You have all seen these great big pillars of red rock sticking out of desert floor but being there is totally unreal and a sight to behold and you can understand why the native Indian have very spiritual beliefs about this place.

Then on to the Grand Canyon but before we got there we came down off this hill and hit the most desolate bit of desert I have seen on this trip - and the heat.  It was like going into a sauna!  You could feel the moisture being sucked out of you.  In the distance you could see dark clouds and 25 minutes we were climbing up towards the Canyon.  Temp wise went from about 45 to 15 degrees in 20 minutes.  Anyway we then stopped and got our first look of this amazing hole in the ground.   Like Moab words can't describe this sight but viewing this would have been in the top 5 things I have seen.

Tomorrow Vegas!

Location:Grand Canyon AR