Saturday, July 18, 2009 Grand Canyon 2

Guess what we did today!!!!!!!!!!!!

After very little sleep in our crowded Target tent we woke to the sound of the phone alarm. Martha, who slept in the middle, woke up traumatized by the multiple arms and legs of LeAnne and Char that had kicked and pushed her around during the restless, cold, night. The tent and sleeping mats were crankily packed up and we drove off to the airport.

Today was the day we would finally see the Grand Canyon! And we wouldn’t see it just from the side of the road either! We had booked a helicopter tour!!!!!!!!



After checking in and watching a riveting, emotionally charged how-to video on the proper procedure for buckling a seat belt, we were called outside to our waiting helicopter. Let it be said that we had a very handsome pilot with a dashing Australian accent. They didn’t trust LeAnne to be without supervision so she was asked to sit up front next to the pilot where he could keep an eye on her. Char sat in a seat facing backwards with Martha right across from her. The pilot put on “Chariots of Fire” as we took off. We all have some words to say about the canyon.

LeAnne: Words cannot describe the amazing, jaw-dropping, awe-inducing grandeur and splendor.

Martha: I particularly enjoyed the Star Wars theme tune being played through our headsets as we flew over the canyon. Oh, and the Canyon was amazing too...

Char: LeAnne took all the good words so just read her’s again. However, I was amazed at how much the scenery changed within the canyon, on one side it was dry with layers of red rock and another side with shrubs and other greenery. Around the next corner could be even dryer and all gray with craggy surfaces. It was beautiful.




Upon getting back into the trusty 4Runner, we drove into the park itself. We were all excited that we just happened to be there on the free weekend and would not have to pay the $25 entrance fee. Since every dollar is becoming precious, we wanted to be sure no one would pull the wool over our eyes. Here is the conversation between Char and the entrance guy.

Guy: Hello! Where are you folks from?
Char: Washington, Canada (I know, you can’t tell LeAnne actually is from there!) and England. We heard the park was free today!
Guy: Really?! Where did you hear that?
Char: At the Grand Canyon visitor center!
Guy: (frowning) Oh…they lie all the time.
Char: What??!!!
Guy: (Laughing) just kidding, have a great time!

We drove up to the edge of the canyon where Char almost caused LeAnne to have a heart attack as she pretended to jump in.




After taking some more pics we got back on the road and realized we would be going right through Four Corners. We were all very happy about this as we had previously thought it would have to be cut out of our trip. While on the road to this landmark, we decided to follow the advice given to us by our dear friend Francis, whom we look up to tremendously. Char was driving and once LeAnne fell asleep, slammed on the brakes and screamed a blood-curling shriek while Martha snapped the camera. Unfortunately, LeAnne only popped her head up with very wide eyes slightly resembling a deer caught in headlights. She did not make a sound, much to the dismay of Char and Martha but it was still very funny. Once at Four Corners we stood in line along with all the other tourists to have our picture taken.


Then it was back into the car for us, no rest for the weary. Life is so hard – camping, time off work, helicopter rides…you get the picture. Miles have been driven along small little highways, usually trapped behind little old ladies doing 15 under the speed limit and with nowhere to pass. Out of the corner of our eye, we suddenly spotted a little Italian restaurant and thought it would be a fabulous plan to stop there for dinner. We had a most charming bus boy.

Char: How big are the portion sizes?
Bus boy: Oh they’re pretty big. *motions with hands*
Char: Is it ok if we split two?
Bus boy: *shrugs* Well I don’t know. I’m not your waiter

A few minutes later…

Char: Could you please light our candle?
Bus boy: Light it yourself. You should have come prepared.
Then we asked if we looked like smokers, he grudgingly admitted that we didn’t smell like smoke and whipped out his barbeque lighter from his pocket to light our candle.

As we were paying for our meal, which by the way was delicious, our waitress commented that our bus boy felt kind of bad for giving us such a hard time. We decided that we had a little message for him about the proper way to flirt and asked the waitress to tell him we wanted to talk to him. She managed to literally drag him over and he made a short apology while we laughed in amusement and thanked him for livening up our boring drive. And now we are back in the car for the hour and a half drive into Denver. Almost there!