The Book of Ashes

The Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon 9:55PM

So we drove out of Vegas towards the Hoover Dam. It wasn't very far away, only about 45 mins drive. But the last 4 miles were the longest. They took an extra 30 mins cause there was so much traffic. At the time I didn't realise that the Hoover dam was on the border of Nevada and Arizona and that a major highway went over the dam connecting the two states. In fact it wasn't until we had turned around and were coming back that we realised we were meant to go over the damn. Whoops...

Me standing on the Hoover Dam.

The dam wasn't as impressive as I'd thought it might be but it was still cool. The gorge it was built in was very steep. It reminded me a bit of the Clutha river and Alexandra.

After that we headed off (the wrong way) and decided to take another route. It was a long straight road for an hour or so then cut back towards the way we were meant to go. We got to cross the Colorado river again and saw more casinos right up on the edge of the state. We also saw a cool sun set over the hills. Steve was getting tired so I got to have my first drive on the right hand side of the road. At first I was a little worried and I think I used the windscreen wipers to indicate a few times but once I got on the interstate (75 mph or 120km/h speed limit) then it was all easy. The road was two laned going one way and at least 100m seperated from the other two lanes going the other way. You just got up to speed then stuck it on cruise control and did a little steering every once and a while. We hoofed it across the great expanses and came across this little town where we just had to stop for a photo...

We found out it was on the old Route 66 as we stopped in an all American dinner where the sheriff had stopped for a burger and fries. The meals there were covered in fries. My burger came with all the salads out of the burger and too the side so if you wanted salad in it you had to manually put it in.

Of course we had to get the Ash holding a fork in Ash Fork photo.

A number of hours later we arrived in Grand Canyon Village (10pm at night) where it was a frosty -10 degrees. We went to our hotel and slept (well some of us, Steve and Teresa didn't get much apparently due to Crispy's snoring but next night we swapped rooms and I didn't notice that much).

Next day was a cool start to a beautiful day. We were up early for the free continental breakfast (they have donuts in a continental breakfast!) and on the road. It was only 20mins drive to the Grand Canyon and it was awesome! Photos don't do the distances justice. I was blown away.

That big flat bit in the middle to the left of my shoulder was where we were to walk to that day. It doesn't look that far but its a mile height difference from the bottom to the top.

Walking in was awesome. It was in the shade and quite cool on the way down. We passed different layers of rocks (white, red, green) as we decended and we saw goats, ravens, birds, deer and some vultures at the bottom.

The walls were VERY steep. It was very cool. The track wasn't that bad. Not as steep as I thought it might be and fairly wide.

In the middle was a warm 20 degrees or so and I quickly got hot. I don't know why people would walk this in summer (when its most popular) as it would be a killer and not enjoyable.

The walk took us about 6 hours all up. Not a bad effort considering we went at different paces and stopped lots for photos and lunch.

The walk back up was meant to be tough but in the cool of the mountain shadow it wasn't that bad. Got to the top with no stiff legs or anything and had a beer while we waited for the others. Then Crispy and Martin came up and got denied service at the bar (no ID). Then to add insult, I got another beer (also no ID). Ahh well. They must look younger. So we hopped in the car with just enough time to catch the sunset over the Grand Canyon. Nice but quite windy and cold.

That night it got real cold and we went out to try the local steak place. Crispin brought the Cowgirl steak while we had the Cowboy steaks. Some rattlesnake was also tried.

Next morning it was up early, on the road for 6 hours driving to Vegas. Then hang round there for a couple of hours before we said goodbye to Martin (it's quiet here in Mt Vic now without you living up the road) and then I was dropped off at the airport. After hopping on the plane I had a worrying moment when the air hostess called out over the intercom, 'Welcome to flight xxx to San Francisco'. I went with it anyway and arrived in LA to be greated with 'Welcome to San Francisco thank you for flying Ted Airlines'. The pilot corrected her and everyone clapped. Then a short wait then 23 hour trip to Sydney. I had mastered the sleep on a plane thing by now (or else I was tired from travelling lots already) and slept quite well while the old Aussie ladies next to me knocked back the free liquor bottles. After another hour wait in Sydney it was a 3 hour trip to Wellington and then I was finally home.

Stayed up till late. Slept well. Went to work the next day, a little tired but not bad then back into it...

So whens the next one?