Starbucks Grande Canyon

I made it to Las Vegas, NV. I have driven almost 2200 miles since leaving Tuscaloosa. Yesterday, I drove up US 89 and then turned through US 64 into the Grand Canyon National park. Most people go the other way around and it turned out that going my way was the best way because I avoided most of the traffic in the park. In addition to simply driving around the top of the canyon, there are various points to stop in the park where one can get out and view the canyon better. I stopped at Navajo Point first and then made my way to Lipan Point, the Tusayan Ruin, Moran Point, Grandview and Mather Point. The views in the middle of the park were best and I found annoying families to be more predominant from the western entrance of the park. Getting around Mather Point, for example, was a nightmare. All in all, though, it’s a pretty spectacular thing and it’s certainly worth visiting. I think, though, having more time and being able to hike or take a trail into the canyon would be worth it. If you ever plan on visiting this area I would recommend staying in Flagstaff and driving to the canyon. There are a lot of other places in the area that are good to check out. Entering the Canyon National Park costs $25 and is valid for 7 days. It also gets you into other parks too.

After spending about four hours in the Grand Canyon I set off for Las Vegas, via I-40 and US93. The desert in northwest Arizona was great and I even got blown around a little in a dust twister on the highway. I also stopped, briefly, at the Hoover Dam, where it was 110 degrees. I didn’t stay long due to crowds and the heat, which really was bad.

I arrived in Las Vegas, NV around 5:30pm. The city was blanketed in smog and I found myself thinking, after having spent the better part of three days in desert-like country, there really shouldn’t be a city here.

Alissa and I hung out till Shawn got home and then we went and ate some Ethiopian food, which was good but also I got the feeling the restaurant was a cover for an illegal immigration ring or something nefarious. After this Shawn drove us to the Strip and we spent some time walking around looking at and in casinos. People watching was also plentiful.

I think today Alissa and I are going to take in a “Cagd Animals in Casinos” tour, which involves creatures you’d expect to find in the American desert: lions, tigers, sharks, dolphins, etc.