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More Thoughts From The Road
Oct. 2nd, 2009 01:29 pmI've reached the end of the trail - the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. It's a bit over-the-top in terms of decor (think, "black leather everywhere") but otherwise a nice joint. It's 11:30 here in Las Vegas, and still a little cool for the pool, so while I wait for the afternoon warm-up I thought I'd post a few thoughts.
The Grand Canyon is one of the few places that surpasses its hype. I was awestruck. If you haven't been there, go. Here are a few random logistical thoughts:
1) Definitely stay in Flagstaff. Williams, AZ, the other "big town" near the canyon is a sad little tourist trap kind of place. Flagstaff has a college and some industry (mostly distribution), so there's stuff besides tourist trap crap. While in Flagstaff, an evening dinner and drink at the Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff is worth your time. I wouldn't stay there - noisy and no parking - but the food and drinks are good.
2) Also of interest in Flagstaff is the Lowell Observatory. They even do night programs (check the link for details) so I got to look at Jupiter through Percival Lowell's 24 inch refractor! I was amazed at how wide a field of view the scope offered.
3) Drive to the canyon. The direct route, via US 180, takes you over an 8,000 foot high pass and through some really nice pine and birch forests. There's not much in the way of civilization on that road - the two "towns," Valle and Tusayan, are literally nothing more then wide spots in the road, so gas up in Flagstaff. Once you get to the canyon, park somewhere. I recommend avoiding the overcrowded visitor's center parking and using the Marketplace area (lot B). You can then take the free shuttle buses to the visitor's center and other points of interest.
4) If you have time, when you're done hitting the main visitor areas via bus, take Arizona 64 east to the Desert View, on the eastern edge. It's the only place you can see the rivers from the rim. You can then take Arizona 64 east, which will drop you about 2,000 vertical feet and 20 degrees of temperature into the valley of the Little Colorado river. This is the western edge of the Painted Desert, and also worth the trip. You turn at Cameron, AZ (not even a wide spot on the road) and climb back up to Flagstaff, with a great view of Arizona's highest point - Humphrey's Peak at over 12,000 feet high.
A programming note - the next blog post about this trip I'll discuss the drive from Flagstaff and the interesting phenomenon of Indian casinos in New Mexico.
The Grand Canyon is one of the few places that surpasses its hype. I was awestruck. If you haven't been there, go. Here are a few random logistical thoughts:
1) Definitely stay in Flagstaff. Williams, AZ, the other "big town" near the canyon is a sad little tourist trap kind of place. Flagstaff has a college and some industry (mostly distribution), so there's stuff besides tourist trap crap. While in Flagstaff, an evening dinner and drink at the Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff is worth your time. I wouldn't stay there - noisy and no parking - but the food and drinks are good.
2) Also of interest in Flagstaff is the Lowell Observatory. They even do night programs (check the link for details) so I got to look at Jupiter through Percival Lowell's 24 inch refractor! I was amazed at how wide a field of view the scope offered.
3) Drive to the canyon. The direct route, via US 180, takes you over an 8,000 foot high pass and through some really nice pine and birch forests. There's not much in the way of civilization on that road - the two "towns," Valle and Tusayan, are literally nothing more then wide spots in the road, so gas up in Flagstaff. Once you get to the canyon, park somewhere. I recommend avoiding the overcrowded visitor's center parking and using the Marketplace area (lot B). You can then take the free shuttle buses to the visitor's center and other points of interest.
4) If you have time, when you're done hitting the main visitor areas via bus, take Arizona 64 east to the Desert View, on the eastern edge. It's the only place you can see the rivers from the rim. You can then take Arizona 64 east, which will drop you about 2,000 vertical feet and 20 degrees of temperature into the valley of the Little Colorado river. This is the western edge of the Painted Desert, and also worth the trip. You turn at Cameron, AZ (not even a wide spot on the road) and climb back up to Flagstaff, with a great view of Arizona's highest point - Humphrey's Peak at over 12,000 feet high.
A programming note - the next blog post about this trip I'll discuss the drive from Flagstaff and the interesting phenomenon of Indian casinos in New Mexico.
