*NOTE: Five years ago I began a journey across the country with Thiel, a dear friend of mine. I was moving from Chicago to Long Beach, California, and she agreed to make the drive with me. I present my journal of that journey on the corresponding day that it was recorded five years ago. Enjoy reliving this adventure with me!
Day 12: January 14, 2014
We got up and had our breakfast in the motel’s restaurant for $2.99 each plus tax. I ordered a glass of orange juice, which also cost $2.99. When we finished we headed up to the Grand Canyon, passing by the Santa Fe Peaks and Humphrey’s Point, the highest point in Arizona, on the way. It was about 70 miles or so from Flagstaff, and on the way in to the park there’s a scenic overlook, sort of a pre-canyon sample.
Preamble to the Grand Canyon, AZ.
Preamble to my subsequent life in California. LOL!
There were booths set up where Native Americans were selling jewelry, dream catchers, and the like. Thiel did some shopping and bought a necklace. The first booth we stopped by was manned by an old woman who told us that she made all the necklaces herself. We were looking at the pieces and I glanced up at her to find that she was staring at me. I looked away quickly, then looked back again and she was still staring at me. This happened three times. It was a little unsettling. Of course I was hoping that she was going to tell me something profound, like maybe she was psychic or something and could pick up on some information from me, but she didn’t say anything. Maybe she just thought I was cute.
We drove on into Grand Canyon National Park, where there’s a $25 vehicle fee as you enter. It was a beautiful day for it, chilly but clear and sunny. Thiel had never been before so she was excited. We pulled off at the first viewpoint and walked along the trail to the rim. There were quite a few people, mostly from other countries. As we approached the canyon I looked back at Thiel and saw that she was overcome with emotion, trying to hold it back, but tears were spilling out of her eyes. I squeezed the back of her neck and said something about how amazing it is, trying to let her have her moment. This was my third time seeing it and, although it’s never the same as your first time, it’s still completely awe-inspiring.
The intrepid travelers arrive at the Grand Canyon.
We drove along the rim, stopping at every pulloff point.
The Grand Canyon, AZ.
This structure was one of the stops along the rim. I bought a book in the gift shop and immediately left it in the restroom. I called them later and asked if anyone had turned it in; no one had, but they researched their records, saw that one of those particular books had been sold on the date of my visit, and were so kind as to send me a new one for free!
The Colorado River, which created this gorgeousness, a mile below.
There had apparently been a fire.
We were there for about three hours until we reached the last point at which you are allowed to drive yourself. From there on it’s a bus tour. We didn’t have time for that so we left and went back down to Flagstaff and westward on Route 66.
We stopped in Williams, Arizona, which is a cute small town that’s still thriving despite the interstate passing through the outskirts of it; it didn’t suffer the same fate that most towns along Route 66 did when the interstate highway system was built. We found a dear little motel, The Lodge on Route 66, which was probably our favorite of the entire trip.
It was remodeled in the last few years and the rooms were very modern and very nice. I couldn’t believe what we got for the price. Of course it is the off season, but still it was a really good value. I think there were two other cars in the entire place besides ours. At last, the big final push to Long Beach was upon us.