Blogs from Arizona, United States, North America - page 286

Not much to say about today expect we spent much of it updating this travel blog using the computers at the University of Northern Arizona, then took the train to San Diego.... read more

Spent the morning wandering round beautiful Flagstaff, a quaint town with real character. The weather was fine but really cold, and being the intrepid travellers that we are, we went to bed for an afternoon nap to escape the cold (and sleep off a mild hangover from the previous night).... read more

Today we took the tour from the hostel to the Grand Canyon, and what an excellent day it was. There were only 4 of us plus the guide on the tour, and we had a great laugh all day. Our guide, Michael, made us close our eyes and led us to the edge of the canyon before we were allowed to open them and gaze upon the natural wonder spreading out before us. WOW! It truely is amazing, photos can't really do it justice. After some time walking around the view point, we moved on for lunch to a new location and ate our food on a rocky ridge overlooking the canyon, not for those with vertigo. In the afternoon we trekked for a couple of hours down into the canyon on the Kaibab trail as ... read more

Two suitcases, two rolling duffle bags, two carry-ons, one computer bag and one backpack, all completely stuffed, sit in our entrance hall waiting for departure. Can you say high maintenance? It’s a good thing that term applies to both of us. Of course, I’m convinced that the huge bottle of mouthwash Alan is taking is the major culprit. He’s sure that clean breath will be his key to a successful cruise. We weren’t sure we would make it this far. I got sick, once again, this weekend. It’s a good thing we belong to the “pack three days ahead club.” A trip to the doctor today armed me with an antibiotic prescription to be used if necessary. But, it was the lost checkbook incident that threatened to unravel the trip and our marriage. After frantically searching ... read more

This morning we woke up to a free all you can eat breakfast and booked ourselves onto a helicopter ride over the canyon ($185US worth). By this stage we still had not seen the canyon at all. After a brief safety video and a weigh in we were boarding a small helicopter. I ended up facing backwards and we put our headphones on. I think there was a trainee girl pilot flying but I had faith. I tried to forget the fact that a helicopter has nothing to glide on if the engine stops, and falling into the canyon probably wouldn’t be much fun. Being the first time on a helicopter I was impressed at the ease that the helicopter seemed to just float effortlessly off the ground. We jetted over flat dry scrub scattered desert ... read more