Where We Have Been - USA - Grand Canyon & Route 66

After an overnight in Las Vegas we departed in the rental to visit the Grand Canyon.

Our first stop saw us visiting the Hoover Dam which, while impressive, was smaller than expected, although it is nearly twice as high as the tallest dam in New Zealand it’s not that wide.

From the Hoover Dam we struck out for Grand Canyon West where we stayed the night at the night at the cabins at Hualapai Ranch. Food options were somewhat limited but we got by. The next morning, we were up bright and early to catch the first bus out to Eagle Point and the Skywalk. We were a little sceptical as to the value of Skywalk as we had been told by others that it wasn’t worth the money. Well we disagree. We were the first ones out on it the morning we were there and had the Skywalk to ourselves for quite a while so this may have been a factor in our experience. Standing on a clear floor more than 1.2kms above the canyon floor is not for the faint hearted, or those scared of heights, but it is worth the effort.

Once we had finished with the Skywalk we had a wander around the area and then caught the bus out to Guano Point where the story about the Bat Cave Mine was interesting and the view spectacular.

After catching the bus back we struck out for Grand Canyon National Park and the South Rim.

On our way to Grand Canyon National Park and the South Rim we made a brief stop to investigate the Joshua Trees on they way. Once there after checking in we caught the shuttle to the Visitors Centre where we learnt about the Grand Canyon and then alternated strolling along the well-established trails and catching the shuttle. It was interesting to note the pretty much lack of barriers as in New Zealand just about everything has barriers preventing the adventurous getting too close to danger. The Grand Canyon at the South Rim is much more expansive than at Grand Canyon West, it is a much much bigger vista.

As we were walking the rim it started snowing which we worried would not bode well for the booked helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon the next day. This proved to be the case when we turned up at the heliport the next day to find all flights grounded.

Leaving the Grand Canyon, we diverted into Williams Arizona as we needed to find fuel and unexpectedly stumbled onto part of the historical and famous Route 66. We also encountered our first American Diner, or what we perceive one is, Cruiser’s Route 66 Cafe, where we had a great lunch.

After a stroll around the streets and David wishing he could be “Big” it was back on the i40 West. We were feeling somewhat travel weary as we had done a lot of miles so diverted to Seligman, Arizona, the home of Route 66, where we found a motel.

Nothing confirmed to us that we were in the USA more than the American pickup parked at the next unit which was proudly sign written “In Faith, Family and Firearms We Trust”. We went next door for dinner and found ourselves in a truly remarkable, somewhat surreal, place, the The Roadkill Cafe/O.K. Saloon. They had an amazing display of taxidermy and we still smile at their motto, “you kill it we grill it” let alone the names of the dishes on the menu.

The next day it was back on the road to Las Vegas for Christmas.

Highlight: All of it!

Memory: Quirky and silly as it probably sounds, probably Seligman, Arizona and that The Roadkill Cafe/O.K. Saloon. David has the shirt and it still makes us smile.

Closing Thought: Not sure we will be back. While the Grand Canyon is stunning and a helicopter flight would have been a highlight there are probably too many other places to visit.

However, if the opportunity presents itself, and it just may as Monument Valley is on the must visit list and is in the neighbourhood, well sort of.