I realized I have not been a good Spanish teacher the past few blogs. Today's phrase is "esto es gratis" and I will tell you three stories to help you figure out what that means.
The day started at 9am as we hit the road. Leaving Vegas was easy, finding a Starbucks was not. But we found one, so at 930am we pulled off the highway got the Bex a Bux and also picked up a few groceries at the local Albertsons. Bex drank the 24 water so we are back to water under her feet in the front passenger seat. We had paid for our groceries and as we were leaving we were chased down by the grocery bagger who stated they had forgot to ring in the dark chocolate Reese Cups...so they were free!! So friendly!!
So after a late night of research, I found out that the original route I had planned for the Canyon was the North route. Less crowded, great views, but a long drive. We decided on the South side which meant a drive south to Boulder City, bomb down the 93, hook up to I-40 and then head north on 64. From Vegas to the Canyon was about 420 km and then another 120 km from the Canyon to Bellemont.
We drove out of Nevada and over the Hoover Dam. The traffic is crazy there and you need to park and walk, so we didn't stop. The funny part here is that you can tune to an AM radio station to get Hoover Dam updates. The older gentlemen keeps talking about the newest tours. The newest tour was the Dam tour and the Dam tour leaves every half hour and the Dam tour takes 30 minutes. We listened to the message 3 times and could not stop laughing at this guy swearing about the damn tours!!
Before you are allowed to drive over the dam, you go through a security check with armed guards. With our full truck, we got the "pull it over" directions. He looked in the back, asked if we had been checked at the Cdn/US border and then let us through.
The landscape during the first 100 km into Arizona reminded me of the drive to Georgian Bay Ontario. The next 200 km was much greener. Quite the changes as we made the drive. And was it an easy drive. Two lanes, cruise control was on for 90 minutes.
Did you know you have to pay to go see the Grand Canyon. $25 for the vehicle. But....we met this person:
who happened to be working the toll booth and was from Bellingham WA and had gone to school at UBC. She gave us a map and our $25 back and then let us in for free. Another nice person!!
The Canyon was amazing...breath taking. The new camera is AWESOME too!! Used both the lenses and here are some of the results:
I still need to work on some exposures and colors, the pictures do not do the view justice.
We got to our hotel...yes another Motel 6 (nicely renovated...is nice...all for $50) by 5pm and Bex used the Magic J to call home. Folks not home so we went gym hunting in Flagstaff. I had sent them an email, but no reply. I called but no answer....took a chance. It was a very nice 24 hour place...but no one works there on the weekend...so we went in and had a great hour work out for free. And then it was across the street to Red Lobster. Bex had the feast of all feasts, including a caesar and mixed greens salad...I was meat and potatoes!!
We are now back at the hotel, doing some wash, updating the blog and will start confirming tomorrow's travel plans including route and hotel.
Bex also managed to conduct a Skype with Rosie Joe...a Sunday tradition!!!
We are also going to take the hard earned (lol) money from the casino and go to the Nissan dealer in Flagstaff to get the radiator's thermostat replaced. Sometimes it was operating normally, other times it would fluctuate from normal to cold and sometimes it would stay on cold. As soon as I took my foot off the gas, the gauge would show normal, so I was not worried about the engine over heating. BUT...not knowing if the darn thing is accurate while driving through Mexico is not the safest thing to do, thus we are off to the shop. Other then that, the truck has been holding up admirably. Not bad for a truck with 190,000 km on it.
Not sure how tomorrow looks, but if we make it to Nogales Arizona as planned, that is 535 km and as we drive through Phoenix, it should hit 40 degrees!!
So off we go...until next time,
Saludos.
Oh yeah...esto es gratis means "this is free" as today we had a free chocolate bar, free admission to the Grand Canyon and a free workout at the gym.
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