We got woke up at 6:30 a.m. since Leong had to go for his conference. I, of course, can’t sleep once I’m disturbed from my slumber. Plus we need to get our butts up for our big day, the Grand Canyon tour. I rised everyone up, changed and walked next door to Treasure Island Hotel and Casino and looked high and low for the Dollar Rental Car company.
Finally found it and had to deal with this lady who was so darn painful to talk to. Corrine said she was not helpful and I find her not friendly at all. Simply no customer service skills. Anyways, Tammy did all the paperwork and since I was the second driver, I had to pay $10 just to drive. Got the keys and off we go looking for a red Dogde Avenger and then the blind leading the blind starts.
Tammy was the driver and I already told them, I can only drive, don’t bother asking me directions because my sense of directions abso-f’ing-lutely stinks. We finally found a 7-11 and Tammy and Corrine managed to get directions to get out of Las Vegas and the first stop out of Vegas was Lake Mead.
Lake Mead enroute to Hoover Dam
Then we passed by Hoover Dam but we didn’t stop since there were a million cars there and construction too. I only snapped pictures in the car. I didn’t even know the dam was between Nevada and Arizona. Arizona is mountain time which is only an hour behind Nevada.
The journey was a pleasant one. David was doing really good. Sang, talked and played his Game Boy. Not much whining! The road to the dam was winding and once we got out of the dam area, the roads were as straight than a ruler with desert along both sides. It so reminds me of the movie Thelma and Louise.
Next stop was a scenic view stop. Why we stopped there was because we needed additional directions to Grand Canyon. Tammy and Corrine only got directions to get out of Vegas and towards the dam. So happened there was a AZ highway trooper at the stop, and it was a good opportunity to ask him where was the best place to have a bite to eat. He recommended Rosie’s Den which was true to his words. Really good ham, burger and breakfast food.
From Rosie’s it was another 1 hour drive to the Canyon. There was a 12 miles of gravel road which one can only go about 25 – 30 mph. Once we made the turn where it says Grand Canyon West, $20 Parking Fee, we were glad, happy. There were rows and rows of Joshua trees along the way and the scenery was just awesome.
We reached the parking/bus/choppper terminal, paid the $20 fee, and was directed to our parking spot. There were so many folks out there. We got our tickets for the tour which cost $30 per person and if you want to do the Skywalk tour, you need to pay another $30. Not cheap, but what the heck. I think it’s all once in a life time experience.
Hopped on the bus and off we went to Eagle Point where the Skywalk is.
See the shape of the eagle? That was how the name Eagle Point came into existence.
The Colorado River in the background and the Skywalk on the top left. Before we can walk onto the Skywalk, we needed to put all our belongings in a locker. No camera, cellphone, water or anything that’s on you. Then you sorta go through a security scanner thingy and put on some booties over your shoes and then you are there right on the Skywalk. Tammy was afraid of heights, so she was on the side of the skywalk most of the time. The rest of us, we were all over the place from side to side. You can definitely look down from the glass. Very cool and I love it. I guess because I love heights! Now, for more money spending, if you want your picture taken, you have tell the photographers there. It cost $21+ per picture, all framed up for you. I got one for myself too which I will try to scan it and put it up here later.
A showings of Indian village. The above two tipis are for summer where you walked in and you can feel the coolness of it. The tipis are made of four sticks as foundation and the rest of the sticks just lay one on top of each other. There are also tipis made for winter and a place for healing.
From Eagle Point we hopped on the bus again to the other side of the Canyon where one can see the canyon from all sides.
A better view of the Colorado River
From there we took the bus back to the terminal for our trip back to Vegas. Actually the fee we paid for the tour we can still go to more place like horse trail rides, the ranch for a sunset dinner and something else which i forgot.
For the ride home, I drove and gave Tammy a breather. On the way, we stopped over at the dam for some pictures.
The construction of the bridge over the dam.
On the way back, we stopped at Boulder City at an Italian bistro for a snack. And by the time we got back to Vegas it was dark and I totally hated the drive. I was just cursing and swearing under my breath. The traffic like I said earlier was horrendous let alone driving on roads that were unfamiliar. Totally sucks big time.
(Pictures of Fremont Avenue tomorrow)