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Published: July 24th 2008
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So, here we are...it is our second day in Canon City and we have no idea upon waking what is happening with the RV so we waited with baited breathe to find out whether or not we would be able to make it to Arches National Park. Our experience in the "waiting" area at the RV shop was similar to the way I feel when I am at the doctors office...stressed out. What will the diagnosis be? When will it be fixed?
The reality: the fuel pump did not arrive until 10 am some new issues were discovered which meant we would not leave until around 5pm. NO ARCHES NATIONAL PARK....Chris took me for a walk outside because the disappointment, frustration and anger finally caught up with me. I cursed Cruise America up and down. With many hours to wait it had been decided that we wouldn't cross the Rocky Mountains because it would take too long and in all truthfulness this is a better option for Chris who really does not like winding, steep roads with no guard rails. Somewhere along the way I thought we might get to Mesa Verde and Durango, CO...no go😞
You have all
been patient enough....
We rolled out of Canon City at 4:45 pm on Thursday on a push to get to the Grand Canyon for our Friday and Saturday reservations. I don't have much to share for the next day and a half. We drove to Santa Fe, NM arriving at 10pm. We went straight to bed and then hit the road at 8:45am for an 9 hour drive to the Canyon. Chris and I definitely deserve gold stars for the effort on this portion of the trip. We drove about 800 miles and got to the Canyon in time...hurray!!!!
None of us had ever been to the Canyon before and I am not sure that I have words to adequately describe the feelings I had upon seeing the Canyon for the first time. "Grand" would be too obvious. Magnificent, majestic, awe invoking and much more...
We found our sight, had a nice dinner (including a Chris Fay martini), checked out park programs for Saturday morning and then decided to explore. We jumped a bus and headed to Mather Point and the Visitor Center. Upon arriving we walked straight into two small elk gathering an early evening meal.
Big Elk
Devin and I were luck to see this fine fella! The boys' were thrilled...wildlife up close😊 While we were taking pictures of our new friends we missed the sunset (shucks!) but to our amazement we got to see an amazing full moon rise above the canyon, it was unbelievable. Often pictures do not capture the full essence of the experience and this is one of those moments. We all went to bed exhausted yet fulfilled. Mission accomplished.
Saturday morning Nick and I attended a ranger program from 9-10:30 that would allow Nick to become a Junior Ranger at the Grand Canyon. He was enthusiastic, interested and quick learner. He had many things to share with Devin when we met up with them later. Chris and Devin went to a talk on the Geology of the Canyon while we were busy. We met, had lunch and then we all went to a place further south on the South Rim. We saw an exhibit on the CCC and their contributions to the Grand Canyon, had ice cream, listened to a talk on the Condors and then Devin and I went on a Fossil Walk to look at the exposed marine fossils from 400 million years ago, very cool! On the way back to the campsite Devin and I got some firewood and goodies because the kids had been patiently asking for smores and this would be the night. Devin was quite the man as he carried a bundle of firewood a good mile...if only it were that easy.
Dev and I had just left the store when we noticed that a van had pulled to the side of the road and a man was standing on the sidewalk (on only one side of the street) I figured there must be some animal down there and sure enough there was LARGE MALE ELK just 10 feet from the sidewalk. We were not in a car! Devin got so excited I heard a loud thump as the firewood hit the pavement. Cameras came out, click, click...
It got a little exciting because what we didn't know at first is that there was a woman vying for Darwin Award as she tried to get as close as possible to the elk. In reality she was pushing this large creature of God straight at us and the road, yikes. We stayed calm and the elk did not get too crazy (bucked a few times, ran...and then ate). It was beautiful!
The weather was beautiful...hot during the day (85-90) and at night mid-50's.
Tomorrow off to Vegas, baby!
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