Sunday, July 26, 2009

You know those emails you get about stupid people calling tech support about their computers? Well you can add me to the list. I told you that I called US Cellular and wanted to know why our cell phones went to Pacific time instead of Mountain time . . . . .Duh, we found out today when we arrived at the Grand Canyon (an hour early) and after reading the little article about "What Time is It?" We found out that Arizona doesn't adhere to Daylights Savings Time. So for the last two days we have been an hour behind whatever time we thought it was. . . . Gee no wonder the restaurants weren't crowded!!!!! It also means we probably left Flagstaff at about 6 am this AM!!!!!!

We now have our watches and our minds set to the right time and are functioning at an almost normal level. Boy it is really scary when my "Polish" comes out unexpectedly.

The Grand Canyon was breathtaking. You loose any conception of how far away things are, how big it is and how far it is to the bottom. We looked at the rapids (one of the pictures below) and it looked like a stream but the waves in the rapids were 10 feet and the drop in the river was over 30. Denny read in the same newspaper that we learned we were an hour behind, that it was over 21 miles from one rim to the other side and over a mile to the bottom!!!!

It took the health nuts almost all day to walk the 7 miles from the first lookout we saw to Hermits Point. We know this because every once in awhile you would see them walking the paths or at one of the lookouts. I don't have to tell you we didn't walk. They had a free shuttle bus and we used it, but my little pedometer says we walked almost 4 miles today. The rangers give good advice and tell those adventuresome hikers don't expect to walk to the bottom or around the rim in one day. Allow 1/3 of your time to get down and at least 2/3 of your time to get back up. I liked the shuttle got to see just as much if not more than the hikers.

We had sun screen with us and on but both of us got sunburned. Denny didn't have a hat, his head is okay but he forgot to put the sunscreen on his forehead and the tops of his feet so they are now bright red!!!! I got a little on my arms and that was about it. It was very hot and I was surprised that they didn't have water available. Of course, I didn't have any so we were very glad when we finally made it to Hermits Point and were able to get water.

It took us all day to see the 7 miles of the shuttle at the south rim. Hopefully if we have time after we leave Vegas we may try to see some of the North Rim on the way home.

We still have Ravens following us and I almost walked into a deer that I didn't see. The guy across the way kept saying, "deer, deer" and I just kept walking. Denny finally grabbed my arm and I saw the thing. I guess I wouldn't make a very good hunter!!!!!! I've uploaded a picture for you to see.

Not very many Americans are vacationing (at least not out here) most of the people were Eastern Europeans (I could tell Toni) and alot of French speaking people, probably from Quebec. Today was the first time we saw crowds and full parking lots. But we really didn't have to wait too long for the buses. So it was a very good day.

Lloyd I saw one plaque with a Bible verse on it and it was at Hermits Point right outside the gift shop. There may have been more but we didn't see them.

We are now in Williams, cute little town right on Historic Route 66 and tomorrow we are off to Vegas. Haven't decided how we are going. May take a two hour side trip to Lake Havasu, but we aren't sure yet.

Jackie and Cindy, hope you both have a good week at VBS.