The Thin Blue Ride - Part 1 - Days 6 & 7

Grand Canyon, AZ: 0 miles (RV)

Ride Report:  20 miles: 46.4 Total Miles: 15.2 mph avg, 1,580 calories, 1,217 ft. climbing.  (In my defense, the average speed was lowered by me walking the rim and gawking.  Garmin doesn't know that I'm not pedaling - only that the bike is moving.)

The weather was less than cooperative today, so the plan was to take care of business rather than go sightseeing.  Business began with laundry.  Since it was snowing at the time… (continued below)

And so it begins.  I chose to believe the weather guys who said nothing about snow.  Poor decision on my part as the pic below indicates...

The Sequoia is such a sissy.  All he kept saying was, "Let me stay inside like Delta".  I think Susan's bike (who shall remain nameless - at least until she cares to name it) was egging him on.

…we elected to call a taxi.  That’s right – inside the National Park at the Canyon – a taxi.  Ten minutes later a very nice lady pulled up in a white mini-van and off to the laundry mat we went.  We made it there in minutes as the laundry mat was nearby.  We then completed our task with haste.  While we were there the weather gods saw fit to alternately bless the Canyon with sleet and sun in approximately 5 minute intervals.  Not that I’m complaining - far be it from me to do so.  It gave us the chance to talk to other intrepid travelers.  It was a bit awkward tho.  When they inquired from whence we hailed, we were afraid to say we’re from Manhattan for fear that we’d get blamed for the weather.  (Kansans believe the weather is a personal affront/blessing depending on seasonal requirements.  That it intentionally wreaks havoc on our lives has long been suspected but remains unproven.)  The pattern became apparent on the Texas Test Flight when, every time we had a rest day, it rained.  Fortunately for us, when we said Manhattan everyone assumed New York.  It helps that Susan took the time to developed a mean Brooklyn accent that she can toss around on a whim.

As fate would have it, the weather finally broke around 1500.  Well, technically it was “broke” when it was sleeting.  Maybe I should say the weather finally “fixed”.  Regardless, Susan sent me out on a bike ride.  By then the snow had melted off the Sequoia  I headed to Hermit’s point which, rightfully so, is located on Hermit Road.  So far as I am able to determine it is the farthest West point in the park serviced by a paved road.  I’d done some reading ahead of time about riding in the park and understood that given all the traffic, it was like teaching a pig to sing.  (It frustrates you and annoys the pig.)  However, Hermit road is closed to vehicular traffic (except for park buses transporting tourists) right now.  Perfect.  Hermit Road was the place for me.  For the uninitiated, Hermit Road snakes along the rim of the Canyon as it wends its was Westward.  The views are amazing.  Tourists were few - the cloud and infrequent showers likely helped in this regard.  And I saw some really cool stuff.  Check it out…

Two of these things traipsed across the road in front of me as I was climbing the first hill (3/4 mile at maybe 6% BTW) to get up to the plateau on which Hermit Road sits.  This one had the temerity to snort at me before heading off to join his less cantankerous partner in chewing on the local scrub brush.

Once we made it past the mobile, furry road block the views were (again) amazing.

Repeat...

Once I was finally able to pry the phone out of the Sequoia's handlebars, I finally got into a pic.  This one is cool.  Note the Colorado River in the center of the pic.  Believe it or not, its not easy to catch a glimpse of the river from just anywhere in the park.  The ranger guys/gals say that the river is about a mile lower than the canyon rim.  My God - a mile.  I stood there and tried to wrap my head around it and failed miserably.  A mile!

It didn't take long for the Sequoia to worm his way back into a pic.  He handed the phone to a foreign tourist (they are many) and asked the young lady to take a pic of us.  What was I supposed to do.  If I tell her to exclude him I look like a grouchy old curmudgeon.  So - I smiled...

So - after ten miles we were there - Hermet's Rest.  I say we.  Not that anyone could tell I was there...

At least not till I wrangled the phone away from him - again.   A very nice lady from Philadelphia took this pic for us. She looked at me kinda funny when I explained the Sequoia's love of selfies to her.  People in Philly must lead a sheltered existence...

And here "we" are back at the park again.  I named this one "Alice".

Till next time...   Which in this case is immediately below since I'm doing two days at once.

(THE NEXT DAY)

The Grand Canyon, AZ: 0 Miles (RV)

Ride Report: None - Tourist day.

When I got home (listen to me - "home" - an RV) last evening I told Susan that we had to go back out to Hermit's Rest together so she could see the sights.  Being the glutton for punishment that she is, she suggested we ride our bikes out there together.  I told her once was enough for me and suggested we take the tour bus. (Author's reminder: portions of this blog are fiction and do not represent actual events.)  So - we took the tour bus from the base of the hill and up we went.  Once again the views were...wait for it...

AMAZING!  This one was taken by Susan Schoen Photography LLC - used by permission.  

Holy Cow Batman!  There was one occasion when I walked up to the edge that I had a fleeting sense of vertigo.  And this from a guy who has no trouble with heights.  The Canyon is that impressive.

We traded photos in front of the marker with another couple about our age.  Everyone is very friendly and helpful.

The interior of Hermit's Rest - at least the part that isn't a tourist shop.  The design of this fireplace was remarkable - as a result of the curved walls/ceiling, it appeared to occupy the entire room.  and I didn't notice it until Susan pointed it out, but the reader should zoom in on the chair immediately to the left of the fireplace.  Its made from a solid piece of wood.  Wowza.

Another one - yawn.  This one was bedded down right across the street from the bus transfer station, of all places.  Double the tourists - and she was napping.  There was a blackbird in the tree above the elk that landed on her back twice.  The bird pecked around and left.  Must have been dining on whatever insect infests elk?  Maybe the elk paid for a back scratching session and the bird had set up shop there?  Dunno...

Wow! Look at that.  No, no reader, the Canyon.  I understand that my bride can be distracting.  Got the same problem myself.  But let's try and remain focused, shall we???

Me studying the Canyon and deliberating on its meaning to my life and the existence of the universe.  Alternative Fact:  Susan made me pose for this one.  Reader's choice.  I'm not tellin...  

I dunno if a panoramic shot does the reader any good.  Using a photograph to depict the Canyon is like describing color to a blind man.

I love this one.  The tree in the foreground gives the entire thing a sense of both scale and depth.  BTW - the Park guys/gals claim that the Colorado River is as wide as a football field down there.  For you Europhiles I mean Football Field - not soccer field.  We're talking 300 yards.

And then there is this.  Susan and I decided to buy for each other mementos of our time at the Canyon.  Further, we thought rings would be a good way to mark our 40th anniversary; we wanted something decidedly southwest.  Here they are.  Mine is sterling silver with turquoise while Susan's is sterling silver with white buffalo stone.  Both are made by a local Navajo artist by the name of Tim Charley.  Now that's both cool and...well...cool.  Technically that makes it doubly cool.  Look it up - its an actual rule in the book of Cool.  I have a copy at home...

Till next time...