The day started out rough (as you might have guessed from the last post) as I had only gotten about 5 1/2 hours of sleep. But I was ready! I check the car over and there were no missing part (as far as I could tell), and the muffler was still attached. So I got packed up and was on the road by 6:30 A.M. Decided to head over and fill up on my way out, and go to McDonald's for a coffee. (That is the best way to start you day by the way).
I was leery of trusting my GPS so I ended up driving across town to the McDonald's I know is there. Of course left to my own devices I still got lost and ended up one road over from where I wanted to be. (sigh) I finally got on the road for the Grand Canyon, and for the most part everything went smoothly. I didn't get lost (although it felt like it at times as the road from Williams to the canyon is Looonnngggg.)
Got there and my GPS took me on a side road which was okay because I got to see a deer. (Yea!) Parked my car (the hated Nissan) and found the bus that would take you around the park for free! I love free!
I waited at the stop and it was pretty easy. Took the bus back to the main area (where I should have started out no thanks to my GPS again), and talked to a park personnel. Told them I had to leave by 2, and asked what I should be sure to see. They were Very helpful, and said I should be able to see everything along the Red route (which is the actual canyon itself).
So I got on the bus and started out. The view was amazing, and kept getting even more awesome the further I went! Got a ton of great pictures, and who knows I may enlarge and frame some one day. Anyways, it was 90+ degrees so I wore a tank top and shorts and took my little water bottle bag. The bag I made myself and it is just big enough to hold my camera, a water bottle, and small stuff like money, extra batteries, etc.
The buses run every 15 minutes so there was plenty of time to get out and stretch and still catch a bus. There were also hiking trails if you wanted to walk from one stop to the next (or the entire route). So I took my time and enjoyed it so much! Got to meet a lot of nice people (who spoke English) who took my picture for me. Felt a little bit like a stalker as I listened to people talking to see if they spoke English so I wouldn't have to try to gesture appropriately that I wanted my picture taken. Met two different groups from Minnesota (you could tell by the giant burgundy M or Vikings logo's).
Finally got to the end of the trail as the clouds started moving in. I decided to check out the store while I waited, and glad I did. They actually have a book out there FOR CHILDREN called "Who pooped in the Park"!!!! Really! Had to keep myself from laughing hysterically and buying a copy. I did get some post cards so I could send back to family and friends. Also decided to buy an overpriced sandwich since I hadn't eaten since 7 and it was now 1:30.
There was a sign up that said Do not feed the squirrels, and someone had written on it in black marker "Squirrels kidnap children." So I was very wary while eating my sandwich to watch out for the unsuspecting children who may not be able to read yet to know they were in danger. No kidnappings on my watch!
Then it was time to go, so I along with 30+ other people stood out at the bus stop in the open unprotected elements as the clouds started coming in. Now Monsoon season in Arizona involves high winds, rains, and dropping temperatures. The problem is, you never know where it will hit or how severe. The busses were NOT running every 15 min. or even every 30 min. We stood outside for over 30 min. before the horizontal winds blowing the ice needles into my skin got to me and I went back inside. BUT! I protected the postcards! I was standing there with my back to the winds arms hugging my chest. Other people probably thought "oh she is hugging herself to stay warm."
Nope, I was not going to let those cards that I carefully picked out get ruined. Looking back I can see that was a little overboard and maybe even a little crazy, but at the time... Finally the bus got there, and it was a mad crush before the guy said he couldn't take any more people. He said there was another bus "right behind" him, but it wasn't until the other bus came into sight that the almost riot was stopped. Then that bus driver has to go through the same thing. In the mean time it is still pouring rain on all of us.
Finally I get on the bus and have to sit soaking wet and freezing the entire 20 minute ride back to my car. My teeth were chattering so hard. So I got back to the car (who cared about souvenirs at that point) and put on the t-shirt I had brought and left in the trunk over my tank top and turned the heater on high. Now I am running 20 minutes late to get the car back to the rental place, and I have no reception. So I start driving quickly, and as soon as I get a signal I call the car place. That is when I find out that they close at 4 on Saturday not 5:30. The good news is that because of the times I was getting charged for an extra days insurance already so it was only like $20 to keep the car another day.
The bad news is I am already racing back home, soaking wet, and could have stayed longer at the Canyon to get souvenirs. (sigh) Such is my life. At least I didn't end up on a forest trail, I mean "road" on the way back this time. I did end up with a 24 hour cold though, but it was gone by Monday so that was good.
My next report will be on the wet trip to Flagstaff, so check back again!
