This morning we want to have a drive around the countyside of Sedona to see some of the famous red rock formations, before heading off to the Grand Canyon. We have a rough map of where everything is, and a few tips from the receptionist at the hotel, so head back out of town the way we came in search of Cathedral rock.
After a very interesting drive, we discovered that the road to cathedral rock was closed for normal people, obviously encouraging people to take a tour. Nevertheless, we took in some great scenery on the way.
Our next stop was a lookout, near the airport, which gave a great panoramic view of the city and landscape. Time was now getting on, so we moved on from Sedona to head North to the Grand Canyon.
We chose to take the scenic route, through Oak Creek Canyon, to Flagstaff, and what a good decision it was. Despite being very windy and some steep climbs, the scenery made it most worthwhile.
Once out of Oak Creek Canyon, we were back on reasonably flat ground, with not a lot to see. The roads are long and straight and the landscape reasonably desolate.
By the time we arrived at the Grand Canyon National Park entrance is was mid afternoon, and we were settled in our Hotel, The El Tovar (another great recommendation from Peter Mac), by 3.30 pm. The Hotel is located right on the South Rim of the canyon, and you didn’t have to walk far to get a great view. Car parking was a bit of a problem, as the Hotel does not have it’s own car park, so you do battle with the public for a space.
After a quick orientation, we decided to get on one of the shuttle buses they run free of charge to take us to the eastern end of the rim, Yaki Point. As you expect, the Canyon view is quite spectacular, as it is all along the rim. We got off the bus on the return journey from Yaki Point at Pipe Creek Vista, where the view was well worth seeing, and then walked along the trail which followed the edge of the canyon, all the way back to the visitors centre ( about 2 kms). It really is the best way to see the canyon.
We were told that sunset at the Canyon was worth seeing and one of the best places to view it from is Hopi Point, on the Western side shuttle bus run. Fortunately, we arrived back at the transfer point in time to catch one of the last buses going West for the day, and made it to Hopi Point for the sunset. One thing I should point out, is that it has been blowing a gale all day, and seems to have got worse in late afternoon. One of the tourists asked the bus driver if it was always this windy, to which he dryly replied, “No Sir, sometimes it blows hard”.
It was also getting cold as the sun went down, and it was getting dark, so we were happy to get back to the warmth of our room. We booked dinner in the dining room of the hotel, and had a great meal with excellent service and lots of atmosphere.
No comments:
Post a Comment