Having spent a bit of time yesterday consulting our maps and guidebooks, we've decided to sneak out of California for a few days and go and check out the Grand Canyon. After all, it is one of the natural wonders of the world, (and having been cited so much during geological and environmental landforms during university days, I though I should go see it). And, as it turns out, it's only a mere five hour drive away.
Leaving the busy metropolis of 29 Palms, we passed a fading weathered sign declaring 'Next services 100 miles'. Only a mile out of town, this was the view:
The road was pretty much straight for the next 80 miles. Navigation was relatively straight forward too, as as well as having no turns to make, there were also no junctions either! Just one straight road into the distance. After an hour or so, we'd passed about three lorries and two cars and the view has changed to this:
A few more hours in, and it looked like this:
A while later, there was a bit of excitement when we overtook a train, which appeared suddenly out of an equally deserted valley on our left. There were sixty four carriages and must have been over a mile long!?
Then, finally, we crossed the state line and entered Arizona - the Grand Canyon State.
The scenery changed a bit, and we got glimpses of red and brown sandstone escarpments - a little teaser of the Grand Canyon terrain - and the deserts became a little greener, with even a few bushes and trees.
The best bit was passing some genuine Cowboys! That's right - guys with hats on horseback, stood in styrups and dressed in waist coat and chaps, driving cattle across the plains! Awesome! The road then gradually rose from the desert plains and eventually we reached the town of Williams, which turned out to be over 2000m altitude. Imagine our surprise as we suddenly found snow lining the roadside!
We parked up in town, where it was weirdly very warm, yet with snow piled up everywhere. A bit like a ski resort at the end of the season.
The town is (or was) part of the historic 'Route 66' and was about as 'Wild West American' as we could have imagined. (It's also the last stop before the Grand Canyon - hence our stopping there).
We set about imedietaly on checking out the town. First stop was the local cowboy outfitters, where they had a comprehensive range of hand made leather holsters - guaranteed to match your gun!
After looking in a few more shops and bars, we were working up a thirst, so stopped for a 'small' glass of Dr Pepper. Obviously, with unlimited refills as standard!
After a few gallons of refreshing syrup, next up, we checked out the boot store, and almost got involved with a new hat, (seeing how the air stewardess on the recent Fiji Airways flight has practically destroyed mine after ramming it into an overhead locker).
After all this excitement, we found a Motel for the night and crashed out. Cool day!
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