Week 4

 

peterbrown2025roadtrip.blogspot.com

Monday 6th October 5 week american road trip

We’re getting used to these easy days. It was only a 1 1/2hr ride to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, the gates were open and the Ranger  just waved us on due to the lockdown saving us a $35 entrance fee. So we’ve have a free lunch on president Trump. It’s been many years since we last visited but it’s still breathtaking. 2 to 3 people fall into the canyon each year and we nearly saw 2 today if they had slipped on the gravel. That would have been it for them and they weren’t the only ones doing it at different areas.

We’ve discovered that the Petrified forest is shut due to the lockdown apparently they close the gates each evening to prevent theft and haven’t bothered re-opening them. I don’t understand the logic there were 1000s of people at the canyon today so imagine the income they are loosing out on. 

Some facts 

The Colorado river started eroding the Canyon about 5-6 million years ago, however some of the rocks exposed in the lower Canyon are 1.84 Billion years old.

She’s slipping on the gravel and must be mad

Tuesday 7th October 5 week american road trip

6 hours in the saddle today but it was worth every bit of it, sometimes the ride is better than the destination and today was one of those days. We headed back up to the Grand Canyon but took a right turn and traveled along the south rim for about 35 miles. There were plenty of photo stops before heading for Flagstaff. The scenery all day has been spectacular traveling through two State forest parks and the tail end of the Canyon. We then took a left to Winslow for lunch and had a photo shoot of the large route 66 sign in the road also the man on the street corner. We then travelled our last section of Route 66 for this holiday and called at twin arrows only to find only one, so it was off to our hotel in Holbrook for a well earned dip in the pool via the liquor store.

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Old section of Route 66

I wounded who nicked the other Arrow 

Wednesday 8th October 5 week american road trip

Despite rain in the forecast the sun has been shining all day. As we were unable to ride through the Petrified forest I chose a scenic route to take us to our hotel at Canyon de Chelly at Chinle, and prior to checking in we road a good section of the south rim stopping at the various lookouts. Whilst it’s not as big or deep as the Grand Canyon it’s equally as beautiful. You can imagine the cowboys chasing the Indians down below as no doubt they would have done 100s of years ago. Talking of Indians we knew in the state of Utah alcohol is forbidden so thought we would ditch some clothing and get stocked up with beer and wine for the next few nights but we didn’t see a shop or petrol station for 80 miles since leaving Holbrook and by then it was to late so Pam’s mortified. On the plus side that will save me a whole lot of dosh.

Thursday 9th October 5 week american road trip

What a fabulous day we’ve had. The ride on route was brilliant and when we arrived at monument valley it was incredible the scenery is breathtaking in every direction. Rain is still forecast and just incase it turned out wet tomorrow I decided to do my planned scenic route taking us through the valley to Gooseneck Canyon and Mexican Hat. It was then a 50 mile  unscheduled de-tour to the Sinclair petrol station at Bluff for Alcohol. There was no wine but plenty of beer so that’s me sorted.

We are now checked into a lovely Lodge for two nights with a great view of monument Valley, I’m now having a few beers on the balcony while Pam cooks a Ding Lasagna and cheese bread. Now this is living the dream.

Bike deserves a picture at Gooseneck Canyon

Colorado river at base of Gooseneck Canyon 

Mexican Hat in background 

We’ve slumped it for dinner

I’m sorted for tonight 

A well earned beer

Friday 10th October 5 week american road trip

Calamity Pam has struck again and think I’ll be leaving her at home next time. Yesterday when we had unloaded our luggage and  getting ready to go to the local shop for some supplies,  she didn’t see the step down from our balcony and went arse over Tit and all I heard was a cry for help. Luckily her hips survived the impact but had cut her wrist so I administered 1st aid at the scene with the aid of a sticking plaster, gaffer tape and a bandage. We continued the afternoon as normal and it wasn’t until early evening and throughout the night she was in a lot of pain and her wrist had doubled in size. So 1st job this morning was to locate a hospital and get her booked in. Fortunately it was nearby and we were both relieved the X-ray didn’t show anything serious, however it was badly sprained and she had a brace fitted along with some prescription anti-inflammatory tablets. Not to spoil the day we went onto do a 1 1/2 hr jeep safari into Monument Valley which was really good for me but not much for Pam as she felt every bump. Rain clouds moved in and rain soon followed, so we headed back to base camp. She’s now having a little nap bless her while I decide what to do with my spare day.

Looks alright to me! What’s she winching about 

We had the jeep to ourselves other than the driver

You get some great shots from within the valley 

Saturday 11th October 5 week american road trip

We had a lot of rain through the night and pleased it had eased off by morning, there’s nothing worse than loading up in the rain. It was nice to see the clouds hovering over monument valley before heading off to Our next destination which is Page Arizona and gained an hour today. We had planned on visiting Antelope Canyon, but it was closed due to recent heavy rain and was probably a good thing because it involves a lot of steep steps and think Pam would have struggled. We therefore opted to take the scenic route around Lake Powell prior to checking into our hotel. Pam’s a lot happier now that I’ve treated her to a litre bottle of wine from Safeways so she should sleep well tonight.

Lake Powell in Background 

Glen Canyon Dam

Horse Shoe Canyon

Sunday 12th October 5 week american road trip

Brownie Tours did a good job today. The sun was shining and I made the best of my spare day that I had left and decided to ride through Zion National Park to our next destination at La Verkin. The scenery has been truly breathtaking all the way and scored 10/10 for the traveling and 10/10 for our destination which is a private house by creek river. The pictures don’t do it justice but hopefully you’ll get a better picture when you watch the YouTube clip 

That’s it for week 4 but click on the YouTube link to see a video summary for the week and if using phone view in landscape 

https://youtu.be/3EDqYrMoA4k?feature=shared