Grand Canyon April 26 and 27, 2011

We left Dallas at 5:30 a.m. on Monday morning.  It was dark and Vicki was a terrific sport as she's not an early riser, but certainly rose to the occasion.  After about an hour on the road, she did take a little nap.  Our first day out was completely [thank you, God] uneventful.  Once we crossed over into New Mexico, we stopped for a photo-op.  This was just a pretty little scene we spotted, and

this is the spot at which we stopped.  I guess vendors set up here, but have no actual proof of that.

We stopped in Albuquerque to spend the night at around 4:00 local time.  Since, we'd not stopped for lunch, just nibbling on the fruits and veggies Vicki prepared, we were hungry.  The hotel recommended a local eatery within walking distance, and since we'd been sitting all day, we opted for Mariscos Altamar & Mexican Food.  Vicki had the chicken fajitas and I had the beef.  It was good but over salted.  The guacamole was very good.

 Then back to the hotel where we turned in VERY early.

The next morning, after eating at the hotel, we headed west again.  Once in Flagstaff, we took I180 through some very nice country.  We stopped a few times to snap some photos and was it ever chilly.  These are the San Francisco Peaks with snow and a few other sites.

We got to The Squire Inn Grand Canyon around noon local time and couldn't check in until 4:00 p.m. so we decided to hit The Hole!  We'd brought hats to protect ourselves from the sun BUT the wind was incredible and we didn't want to lose them, so we left them in the car.  Here's Vicki, and a few photos of The Hole.

 We decided to take a hike along the rim and ran into this guy.  The reason for his obesity is his penchant for chips.  Though warned NOT to feed or go near wildlife of any kind, visitors feed them.  In fact, after I took this photo, an equally obese man fed him and the squirrel ate right out of his hand, leading us to believe this wasn't his first rodeo.

 Along the rim path, there is a geology museum.

 Since we did the rim path, we "walked a million years."

Since we'd walked so far, we decided to take a shuttle bus back to the parking lot.  Along the way, our driver pointed out two Elk laying in the sun.  I wish I'd been able to take a photo!  So after our three hour trip along the rim and museum and El Tova and Hopi House, we checked into the hotel AND since we were ravenous after all that fresh air, we dined in style - filet mignon and grilled veggies AND a 'tini! After touring the gift shop, we headed back to our room and again, hit the sack early.

We woke early and after a lovely breakfast, were out the door by 7:30 a.m.  We'd planned on taking a hiking tour but Diligent Vicki found a site she wanted to visit and we decided to save the $180 and go on our own.  Truth be told, we saw the tour on our hike yesterday and it didn't look all that terrific and certainly not worth the price.  There's an IMAX theater just 'steps' from our hotel.  We saw the film showing the history of The Grand Canyon and it was amazing - National Geographic, of course, and I must say my stomach did flips several times.  Since there was a gift shop attached, we had to tour that as well.

Back in the car and back into the Park.  However, instead of going straight toward Mather Point and the unwashed masses, we turned right along Desert View Drive.  Our first stop was Yaki Point and it was amazing.

 Then, we hit Lipan Point and Navajo Point. 

 We found Tusayan Ruin and Museum and did a little self tour as many other folks did.

 Below is a photo of the San Francisco Peaks again.

 Navajo Point was absolutely spectacular.

 You can actually see the Colorado River and in some spots, the rapids.

 Below, you can make out The Watchtower which was our destination.

 A local surveying its realm, and what a realm it is.

 Here is The Watchtower.  It was built in 1932, reminiscent of ancient structures the architect, Mary Colter, saw through her travels.  A visitor can climb the 85 steps to the top and get a 360 degree view.

 We climbed to the top.  This is a photo of the ceiling from the first floor.

 After leaving The Watchtower, we headed back as we'd missed two stops:  Moran Point and Grandview Point.

 Here's Vicki celebrating the beauty of The Hole.

We met some very lovely folks along the way, including two British ladies who we wanted to kidnap.  They were in their 70s and with very young spirits.

Back at the hotel, we ate burgers in the sports bar while chatting with two ladies from Wisconsin and Illinois.  We thoroughly enjoyed our two days at The Grand Canyon.  We retired early [are you shocked] in anticipation of our stops along the way home.