The winds of yesterday had died down by morning but it was still freezing cold so I waited a bit before getting up this morning. I was out of the Navajo nation so I had changed time zones as Arizona doesn’t follow DST, putting me effectively in the same time zone as California.
There was a snack bar right by me in the park but it didn’t open until 9 (formerly known as 10) so I waited around an extra hour so I could eat some food before getting on the road.
I made my way through the park, visiting each of the recommended view points of the canyon. It was sort of overwhelmingly touristy, but the views were nice at least. There were lots of steep hills and I didn’t make it out of the park until 1. Then, after a long lunch I finally was on my way south.
I was headed towards the town of Williams and I knew immediately that I wouldn’t make it before sundown. But I wanted to make good progress towards Phoenix so I kept on going.
My iPod had died during the hail storm a couple days ago and now my iPhone was out of batteries. My solar panels also appeared to be dead, and so I had to ride the whole day without music. Oh, the horror.
I pulled into Williams about 20 minutes after it got dark and found a motel.
Today’s mileage: 80 miles.
Total: 3209 miles.
Great portrait of the Surly and the Big Ditch!
Phoenix looks to still in the magic 60s at night so you should be more comfortable now. Keep the calories up. Great pictures of the big ditch!
That is the funny thing about all the natural wonders in america.
I climbed Mt.Washington up in here in NH. Brutal hike, took 12 hours. I get to the top to find a parking lot and a bunch of tourists.
But that’s life.
Thanks for those canyon pics! Your mom had emailed me that the Desert View where you were was actually the campground at GC. That is the first place I ever viewed Grand Canyon back in \the 70s. After pitching camp there it was close to sunset and we went to the rim nearest camp feeling hot and tired and sure that the view couldn’t be so worth the long trip. That first glimpse was so awesome we fell on the ground laughing in delirium for quite awhile because it was so utterly incredible. And after sunset the multiple shooting stars were the best light show I have ever seen. Great shot of your bike by the canyon vista point!!
I haven’t checked on you in a few days, so I missed your entrance into AZ.
So here is a belated “Welcome to Arizona!”
Hope you enjoy your time here.
Kevin