Before I get to the details, a word on pictures. We are taking lots of them, and it is way too much to post directly to the blog. I'll keep posting some highlights but all the pictures can be viewed in their 10 megapixel glory here.
Today's Stats:
Miles Driven: 822
Total Driving Time: 11:49
Total Door to Door: 13:05
Average Speed: 70 mph
Fuel Economy: 26.9 mpg
What we're listening to:
(alphabetically by artist)
"The Weight" - The Band
"Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
"By My Side" - Ben Harper
"If She Wants Me" - Belle & Sebastian
"If I Should Fall Behind" - Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band
"I Will Survive" - Cake
"Still D.R.E." - Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
"Say Yes" - Elliott Smith
"Do You Realize" - The Flaming Lips
"Stop Crying Your Heart Out" Oasis
"Last Night" - The Strokes
Weather:
Right now it is 33 degrees outside. Mostly overcast all day and in the 40's. The wind was howling especially at the Grand Canyon. We hit snow and hail crossing into New Mexico.
Reflections on the day:
We shipped out a few minutes before 6 a.m. pacific time. The first hour or so was kind of tough because it was dark and we were driving against a sea of headlights heading into L.A. Once we got onto I-15, the landscape changed dramatically.
At that point we got some elevation and the sun was coming up. We saw some frost on the ground and enjoy seeing the sun come up against the mountains. It was kind of sad to be leaving those mountains behind. It's a nice view to wake up to every morning.
Crossing the Colorado river into Arizona it started to get really overcast and stayed that way throughout, although there were some rays of sunshine at the Grand Canyon.
Arizona was pretty but grey, I'm sure it looks much better in nice weather. Most of the time you just see big open views of desert with power lines streaking off towards the mountains. Once in awhile you pass a truck stop with big truck-washing garages. Sometimes, a big concrete oasis would appear with a Kohls or "Super-Target". That Target was bigger than a Costco.
Most of the people in Arizona were wearing cowboy hats.
I thought that California would have the most expensive gas, but when we filled up in Arizona it was 30% more expensive.
We made the turn off north towards the Grand Canyon around 11:30 a.m. pacific. Arizona Rt. 64 is a two-lane road and we got stuck behind some slow movers a couple of times. The view of the desert from that road is very nice. We passed a campground that had a Flintstones theme.
As we approached the Park, we saw a sign that said entrance for one car is $25. Personally, I think that is a little steep but what can you do?
We paid the ranger, and started driving towards the lookout area when suddenly traffic stopped. There were maybe 10 or 12 elk (elks?) hanging out eating. I think they were all chick-elks because none had antlers.
It is a little confusing getting around the park because there are all kinds of roads and areas, but we eventually made it to Mather Point. We parked (after almost running over some very excited asians) and got out of the car into the freezing cold and screaming wind.
After bundling up, we walked across the parking lot. From the parking lot, you still can't really see anything but people and trees. As you walking out onto the platform, this Grand Canyon opens up in front of you like a big smile; and it complete knocks you out.
Words cannot really describe the Grand Canyon. Most of you reading this probably know that I am not a very religious guy, but when you see the colorful, layered, expansive view that greets you there it is enough to make you believe in God.
The only other thing to note about the Grand Canyon is that the Wendy's there is getting $1.79 for 5 chicken nuggets.
Meghan took over driving at this point and we got back on the highway. About 70 miles down the road, we stopped off at Meteor Crater which again was freezing but cool to look at. The land it's on is an open range so there were dozens of pitch black cows roaming around.
I fell asleep for awhile and woke up in time to snap a picture of the "Welcome to New Mexico" sign. The weather got hairy and we stopped for gas. I took over driving at the station after we got accosted by a semi-coherent Native-American gentleman. 60 miles later we pulled into the luxurious Best Western Inn & Suites. The whole place smells faintly of cigarette smoke, and Meghan is slightly concerned with the overall sanitation levels but all in all it's not bad digs.
That is all for tonight. We're going to hit the breakfast buffet hard tomorrow morning while we monitor a small storm developing down here. Tomorrow's destination: Yukon, OK.
Keep leaving comments for us, it gets boring at times on the road. Check out all our pictures. Leave me some playlist suggestions.
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