The Grand Canyon is more than GRAND!!

For years and years I have been dreaming about seeing The Grand Canyon....and on this trip it finally came true!! Although it wasn't exactly on our way home, we made the decision to swing by the South Rim. In case you can't tell....I was MORE than excited!!!

We took off from Williams, AZ after a great breakfast at the hotel we stayed at.  A couple from New Zealand were staying in the room next us and had been in the United States for a month driving across America on Route 66.  They added that it was frustrating at times as they would be driving along and it would just end, making them turn around and backtrack for up to an hour at times.  Route 66 goes right through the center of Williams.  We wished them well and headed out for the Grand Canyon. 

 After a 60 mile ride, we had to wait in line to get through the entrance gates...I was so excited that I couldn't even stand it!!  Over five million people visit the canyon each year. It was a gorgeous day in June when we visited. 

We had to pay a fee to get in ($25 for a vehicle, $12 for individuals on bikes, hiking, motorcycles [so we paid $24], and 15 and under are free) plus the fee allows you to stay in there for a week (I wish!).....we headed into the park.

 Once you get into the park area it is still several miles before you actually come to a lookout area. As you can see from this sign, the fire danger back in June 2014 was high! We stopped at a visitors area where we went to Mather Point....

Not too close to the edge....yet....

The South Rim is the most frequently visited side, as it is easily accessible.  The train also runs from the South Rim.  The North Rim is only about 10 miles away as the crow flies, but would take 212 miles of driving to reach.  It is almost a mile deep at Mather Point when you peer over the edge.

This overlook point is the most visited each year with more than 5 million visitors.  Mather Point is the most congested spot due to all of the amenities offered there.

Words absolutely cannot contain the beauty and splendor of this amazing natural wonder....

 It was interesting how there were so many trees that appeared to be growing out of the rocks!  Amazing....

There are colors here that you won't find in a box of 64 Crayola Crayons....completely indescribable.

After leaving Mather Point, we drove toward Desert Point.  Here we found the Desert View Watchtower. 

 This was the vision of Mary Coulter, who designed the tower to resemble the tower of the ancient Anasazi tribe that lived there.  It was designed and constructed in 1932 to resemble drawings found at the Four Corners Region.

Some of the artwork on the inside of the tower.  There were three levels to the tower.  The first level was a gift shop with souvenirs, and then a narrow rock staircase winding around the side of the tower led to the second and third levels.

Terry at the top of the stairs!  It was a workout to get to all levels, but the view from the top was unbelievable!

My view from the top level looking down....it was an interesting place to stop and explore.

A view from the top level...as you could step outside to see an awesome view from 77 feet up!

The L-shaped window from the third level must have been built in honor of my name...right??  Pretty cool view looking out.

Looking closely you can see the Colorado River snaking through the canyon.

The Grand Canyon was carved by the flowing of the Colorado River over six million years.  It continues flowing 500 miles to the Sea of Cortez at the Pacific Ocean.

As you can imagine......I probably took a bazillion pictures!!  The majestic glory of this fascinating natural wonder cannot be appropriately captured by cameras.  I could add 50 more pictures here, but my suggestion to everyone who has not made the trek to the Grand Canyon.....GO!!!!

This is a video as we were driving out of the Grand Canyon....lots of trees and then an open are where you could still see the canyon!  Beautiful doesn't even come close for a description. 

There were souvenir stands along the road as we wound our way out of the park.

Our goal after the Grand Canyon was to make it to Albuquerque by the end of our day, which meant we left the Kaibab National Forest (which is part of the Grand Canyon), and part of the Painted Desert as well on our way to Interstate 40.



So many interesting things that caught my eye as I rode on the back....



Yes....that is a dinosaur up there....YIKES!!

This is Fort Defiance, which was on Route 66.  Although we did not have to time to stop and go through it, it is located in Navajo Territory on the eastern edge of Arizona.  We kept waiting for the switch to mountain standard time, until we realized that most of Arizona does not follow Daylight Savings Time.  Next, we stopped in Winslow, Arizona for fuel and some water....then I had to Google the lyrics from the Eagles song..."well, I'm standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona...such a fine sight to see..." from their song Take It Easy.  Terry and I couldn't remember what song it was from! I guess I should have had him take a picture of me standing on the corner of the quick shop we stopped at!! 

Arizona has so much beauty to enjoy....it is so peaceful to sit back and watch landforms and other scenery in America zip by us.  I enjoy taking pictures of the amazing sights....

I wish we would have had time to stop at this landmark as well....it is a meteor created crater that is outside of Winslow.  We just didn't have time...maybe next time!



As you can see, it was a gorgeous June day...perfect for traveling on two wheels.  It wasn't long before we hit the border and headed on into New Mexico....definitely The Land of Enchantment. 



New Mexico is a state that I would love to go back to when we have more time to explore.  Such majestic beauty as we continued on Interstate 40.  Shortly after Gallup we crossed The Continental Divide.  This line extends from the Bering Strait to the Strait of Magellan and separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from the river systems that drain into the Atlantic Ocean, and those that drain into the Arctic Ocean in the northernmost areas of the Divide.  



I believe that some of these pictures show some of the Sacred Mountain area in New Mexico.  It is Navajo land that encompasses areas in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, with many amazing peaks and mountain ranges.



We continued to get closer to Albuquerque....

We rolled into Albuquerque at about dinner time...thanks to the time change to Mountain Standard Time at the border.  We found a motel for the night...and then proceeded to find something tasty to eat.  As I recall...it involved Mexican food and a margarita!  It was about ten hours on the bike that day, perfect weather for traveling.  One more day of our adventure awaited us in the morning.....the final day when we would roll into Oklahoma before dark (if all went as we had planned!).

Join me for the final installment next time as we venture from Albuquerque to Oklahoma.  What could possibly go wrong after more than ten days on the road???