Now That’s a Big Hole in the Ground.

We left Las Vegas after a small brekkie and headed towards the Welcome to Las Vegas sign to get a few shots of the famous monument. I read that the sign has been moved numerous times because of the ever expanding strip and it is now placed far to the south of Vegas complete with its own car park and viewing area. 

We then headed off to Zion National park. Although beautiful and majestic we were disappointed that the only way to take the scenic route is via shuttle bus as you cannot take private vehicle through there. So this was a huge chunk out of our day to get there and drive back as all the literature we had read never mentioned the shuttle. Apparently this is only a new conception,  but I do not know. It was interesting going through the mile long tunnel that cuts through the mountain in the dark. At least it was cooler lol

Then we headed down to  the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We were really glad that we bought the year pass to the National Parks for $80 which covers both of us in the car. We were unsure if we would get the benefit from it, but so far with Yosemite $20, Sequoia and Kings Canyon $20, Zion $25 and then the Grand Canyon at $25 we are now saving money as we still have parks in Utah to go to and tomorrow we are heading to the South Rim of the canyon also.

  We stopped at a Buffalo farm and I saw a huge herd of them grazing in a field. I have never seen them before and that was pretty amazing.  They were grazing in a huge open fiels full of windmills. Very pretty.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon after coming through some beautiful country and long sweeping flowering fields surrounded by tall pines and lovely blue skies at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We took the “walk” (high altitude ….little air lol) to Bright Angel Point and can I tell it was stunning, sheer drops so far down you could not see the bottom. I hate heights, but this was beautiful. Perfect day, sweet views and stunning cloudage. I even went out and sat on a rock to enjoy the view. By now it was 3pm and we had so much to see. The little bridges from one rock face to another were scarily beautiful, but I swear they were rocking. lol There were some strong wind gusts up there. Stunning Stunning Stunning.

We then headed to Vista Encantada which was equally stunning (not sure of other adjectives to describe it) and we were the only ones there, so far we have avoided major crowds except at Yosemite. The view here was back towards Nankoweap canyon, which was a “take your breath away” view.  

Then off to Roosevelt Point, named because President Roosevelt came to this point and said that is should be preserved for future generations and he pushed for it to be classified as a National Park and be preserved as such. (A little history lesson there) This view showed razor steep cliff faces and large jutting outcrops of rock.

It was getting late and we still had a long way to go. As we headed out of the park we saw two deer grazing on the fields. We pulled over very quickly and I got a shot of them running away. So now I can add this to my list of animals I have seen. : )

We then headed out of the park and past the Vermillion cliffs and down the mountainside. The Vermillion Cliffs were amazing and followed us toward the Grand Canyon for a long time. We didn’t stop to eat but grazed during the day on snacks we took with us from Vegas.

 We came to a place on a bend in the road where people called the Cliff Dwellers lived near Marble Canyon. These people had taken huge rock boulders and made them into makeshift housing at the base of the mountains. IT was amazing. Some of the “houses” were only fit for a hobbit. The earth and rocks were red and all situated in the shade of the cliff face. Amazing.

 

Just on sunset we arrived at Navajo Bridge. Twin Bridges that span a huge ravine that just drops down so far to the almost green waters below. The setting sun and clouds made a beautiful picture.

 

That was our last stop before heading to Flagstaff to find our hotel. We didn’t get into there until 9:45pm and are exhausted… On the road again tomorrow.doing the other rim..

Car in Flagstaff.