The Thin Blue Ride - Part 1 - Days 7 & 8

Grand Canyon, AZ to Needles, CA:  235 miles (RV)

Ride Report:  23 miles,  69.4 total miles, 18.6 mph avg, 1,784 calories, 1,099 ft. climbing.

Delta and I went East toward Desert View for several miles before turning around and eventually exiting the park on the way to Tusayan where I met Susan.  A fun ride -  downhill on the return leg, so I was able to run 35 mph for several miles .   :-)  But the important part is that the views of the Canyon from highway 64 were (again) spectacular.  See below...

Delta thinks some of the colors of the rock compliment his paint scheme.  (Sigh) Vanity thy name is Delta.  He thought the same thing about the bluebonnets in Texas.

OK - chalk this one up as a learning experience.  Delta says that when asking non-riders to take a pic. always specify that Delta is to be the center piece of the pic.  Great canyon shot tho...  I don't think I look so bad myself - other than being old.

Lesson #2 of the day.  Its best to sneak these when Delta isn't looking.

This time Delta asked me to talk with the (volunteer)  photographer and straighten him out before taking the pic.  The guy looked at me like I was crazy.  Apparently people who don't ride bikes don't get out much.

This is what its all about...

OK - internet bonus points are in play again.  This time they go to the reader who can name the rock jutting up just to the left (the reader's right) of my head.  Hint - think "avian"...  Good luck Darcel - I mean, Spedteacher.

I took no pics on the return leg - too much fun going fast...  So, the next thing ya know, we were on our way to Needles, CA.  I was driving, and as Susan was relaxing in the passenger seat (A Teamsters rule: when co-driving the non-driver "relaxes".)  I prodded her awake just in time to take this.  I believe I said, "mmmmhh, mmmmhh, its a... a... mmm... TAKE A PIC!  She came thru...

'57 Chevy

Plenty of this again.  Kinda cool.

For 70 miles!!!!! I have a friend who hunts elk and claims its a difficult thing to bag one.  As a result of this sign I propose a new strategy.  Place the members of your party 5 miles apart standing on the shoulder of I-40.  Have them all face the same direction and simultaneously fire a round straight down the highway.  I've already cleared this with the game and fish people here in NM, so just go for it.

The Colorado River when passing from AZ to CA.  It doesn't look 300 feet wide to me.  Either those Park types at the Canyon were lying or somebody stole a bunch of water.  Maybe AZ and CA should establish a board of some sort to look into this.  I'll contact some legislators and propose it.

So - shortly after crossing the river comes the obligatory "Welcome to" sign.  Very nice.  Not as inspiring as was Arizona's sign, but it will do.

And shortly after came this...  Really?  Who does this?   More importantly, who stands still while it's done to them?  And how would anyone know?  Does one show it off afterwards?  I don't understand Californians.

And finally, our bed for the night.  The back of the parking lot behind the Shell gas station/truck stop in Needles, CA.  As I told our son Keith when we talked with him on the phone tonight, I went to bed a little early while Mom stayed up playing poker with a few of her Teamster buddies.  Nothing to worry about, she tells me Teamsters always play for peanuts.  Hmmmm...  that must be why she bought the "grande" size of mixed nuts to take along on the trip.

Till next time...

THE NEXT DAY

Needles, CA to Bakersfield, CA: 272 miles (RV)

Ride report: None.  We were busy dealing with on the road issues.  More on this later...

Today was mostly a  road day.  And we both saw some new things...

These were scattered about in several locations.  I speculated that they were Joshua trees and later had a chance to Google some pics of same.  Yup.

Wow.  Sand, sand and more sand.  We didn't see a cow for Miles and miles. I think I'll contact the Dept. of Agriculture here in CA and suggest they talk with the guys in AZ who have cows that eat sand.

Welcome to California!  Highway 58 between Needles and Bakersfield.  We had just passed thru a construction area.  These poor sots were on the other side and as this pic was taken were still 4.5 MILES from said construction.  They'll get where they're going...on Saturday...

What goes up...

Looks impressive from the top, but...

Must come down.  Susan was driving here because she wanted a chance to do so in steep terrain before we start the cross country ride.  It was good practice and she did quite well.  Must be in her blood what with her Dad and a couple of brothers having been involved in trucking for years.  (Note that the author didn't mention Teamsters.)

It looked kinda like this, except that it was real and it was steep...  She did great.

Then came lunch and...this.  Its already off the trailer and mounted where the spare goes so we can go get a new one.  I have a habit of checking the load on the trailer and all the tires at stops.  Fortunately this was facing up and to the rear when I looked.  Being the planners that we are, I had a spare AND an extra tire of the same size.

My own design.  It worked well.  I had it in a bay under The Rig - ready for just such an occasion.  BTW (Jim)  I blame the California highway system for this one.  There were some absolutely terrible bridge underpasses.  It seems that they maintain the roads relatively well here in CA, with the exception of anything going under a bridge.

Then we had to find some place to get the extra tire mounted.  I was grumpy by then.  Just ask Susan.  But shortly, we were back on the road.  Only to get held up for 10-15 minutes to clear this...

A roadside fire started when a truck (which is out of the frame) caught fire and spread to the grass.  I'd think they take that stuff pretty seriously hereabouts...

And finally this.  No pic of The Rig in our slot tonight, but when we went for a walk we saw that Spedteacher has family here?  Well???  What's the story?

There - I'm all caught up!  WOOT!

Till next time...

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... 

The Thin Blue Ride - Part 1 - Days 4 & 5

I know I said in my last post that I was gonna cram all of our Grand Canyon doings into one post.  I lied.  There was just too much going on.  So - I decided to cover two days at a time.  Here are the first two: days 4 and 5.

The Petrified Forest National Park, AZ to the Grand Canyon, AZ: 198 miles (RV)

It was a great day.  Before I get to the highlights, let me thank the State of Arizona.  Not just any state will go to the trouble of posting a sign along the road proclaiming, “Rough Road Next 6 Miles.”  But Arizona did, by golly.  And they weren’t kidding.  When I saw the sign I anticipated bad sections of pavement with potholes, etc.  No, no, no... not here in Arizona.  Here they made a road with waves.  Think gentle ocean swells.  Nothing big mind you, but regularly recurring.  Some on the right half of our lane, some on the left, some running perpendicular to the road for the entire width of our lane - for six miles. The net effect of this on The Rig (which wallows like a pig in the best of circumstances) was to make us bob about like a lobster boat on the Atlantic during a hurricane.  I was driving at the time and found it unnerving in the extreme.  Susan laughed at me, having apparently been thru similar conditions several times previously while I was riding my bike and she was flying solo; she already had her sea legs.  We were not amused.  But enough of my incessant carping and on with the show.

The early highlight was Winslow, AZ - where I was standing on a corner when this happened...

Me kissing Glen Frey.

Having received only one (thanks Spedteacher - you were close but omitted any reference to kissing) prediction concerning my assertion in the Day 3 post that Internet Bonus Points were in play for predicting this pic, said points shall be thrown into the pot until the next round in accord with IBP rule 46, section 2, paragraph B.  Sorta like Powerball.

But there was tons more fun to be had in Winslow.  See below...

The eagle eyed reader will note that I'm standing in the intersection adjacent to the famed corner In Winslow, AZ.  Turns out that Winslow isn't actually a bustling place...

Susan was thirsty so we stopped in this little shop on the corner.  They had a pic on the wall of what the building looked like "way back when".

That, ladies and gentlemen, constitutes "tons of fun" in Winslow.

When we left headed toward Flagstaff, the scenery picked up.  Turns out that Flagstaff is located at the base of the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.  It pretty much dominated the horizon for miles when approaching Flagstaff from the East.

This is sunset Crater Volcano.  Things were jumping in these parts millions of years ago.

Once past Flagstaff it was on to the Grand Canyon.  One would think that what with 6.38 MILLION (Yes, you read that right.) visitors in 2018, and with visitor numbers increasing regularly, the guys running the place could talk the state of Arizona into re-paving the road up here from I-40, but apparently not.  And they weren't even kind enough to warn us with the obligatory sign.  Clearly the Park Guys here at the Canyon need to talk to the Park Guys where they keep the petrified trees.  I don't want to be unreasonable, but maybe relocate the trees to the Grand Canyon so everybody could see em both with one stop.  They can't move the Canyon, after all.  And as an added bonus, they'd only have to maintain the highway leading into one National Park.  In my book that's a win/win.  Maybe I'll mention it to a Ranger and let him run with it.  I hate to take the credit.

That said, here was the first thing we saw when pulling into the campground...

We would later learn that these things were pretty much the camp pets.  They've apparently become accustomed to all the creature comforts.  A local told us he had seen video of them turning on water faucets in order to drink.  Oh - AND turning them off.  Hmmm...  Apparently the elk have bought into the Park Service's emphasis on being environmentally friendly and have become conservationists.. 

We were in our space and hadn’t even had time to set up when Daron stopped by.  Turns out he’s a recently retired officer from Arapahoe County, CO (Denver area) and was interested in the swivel-wheel trailer - who isn’t?  We were in the middle of an excellent conversation when Toby walked over and asked about The Thin Blue Ride.  Turns out that Toby is also recently retired - from Phoenix PD.  He was parked right beside us and had a thin blue line across the back window of his 5th wheel.  More subtle than the logos on The Rig, I must admit. He was a motor officer there.  He then called over two ladies traveling with him.  One was his wife, Marie, and the other was a friend from work named  Timaree.  The two ladies are both active Phoenix PD Officers and had just thru hiked the canyon from North rim to South.  Yowza!  Quite the feat – dunno that I’d be able to do it.  Marie is testing for LT soon - good luck and God bless.

They're all in the pics below…

Me and Daron

Marie, Toby, Me and Timaree.

They seemed just like most of the cops I knew during my career - interested in right outcomes and willing to serve.  Nice folks one and all.  So – we had our own little cop reunion.  (Author’s note: no bad guys were arrested or injured during the course of this event.  Just sayin….)

Tomorrow is our first look at The Grand Canyon.

Till Next time.

(THE NEXT DAY)

The Grand Canyon, AZ: 0 miles (It was a pure tourist day.)

I knew last night that today was gonna be a good day.  Turns out I was right.  It started off waking up next to the same woman I married 40 years ago today.  And that’s a very good thing indeed.

(Author's note: the pic below may not be suitable for young children as it makes apparent that youth is fleeting.  The reader is warned.)

Let me remind the reader that I threatened to post it in an earlier blog.  My God, but we were young.

We spent the day doing the Grand Canyon tourist thing.  Which is to say: walking the rim trail, looking thru tourist shops, eating bad food that cost too much, dodging Chinese tourists with cameras – you know the drill.  Interestingly we bumped into a bride and groom still in their finery, who had just been married out on a point overlooking the canyon.  They were kinda held up by foot traffic waiting to leave and we had a chance to chat em up.  We congratulated them and told them to enjoy their time together and appreciate each other.  During the course of the conversation we told them we were celebrating our 40^th anniversary today and it was their turn to congratulate us.  We wished them well and both went our separate ways.  It was an enjoyable thing, seeing where we had come from.  I hope we were able to plant in them the seed of anticipation.

Here’s photo evidence of the morning’s action…

Our first view of The Canyon from Rim Trail  Stunning!

Note the cool hat.  Susan's idea.  She tried to claim the backdrop.  I dunno....

How many ways can one say "amazing"? Not enough.

The observation deck at Lookout Studio, designed by Mary Coulter - as were many of the buildings original to the Park.  She figured prominently in early development of The Canyon.

Hopi House: Many/much Native American art for sale inside.  See previous reference to Mary Coulter.

This brass plaque has some of the Canyon's prominent geological features notes on it and points tourists at them.  Very useful.

In the afternoon we broke the scooter out and headed to the (far) East end of the park – known as Desert View.  There’s an interesting tower there with amazing views of the Canyon and the plains to its East.  Highway 64 runs right along the canyon rim that direction, so there are also a good number of pull-outs along the way where one can get an excellent view of the Canyon.  In our experience viewing pretty much the same section of the Canyon from a slightly different angle changes the entire viewing experience.  It was well worth the trip.  Check out the pics below…

Yup - with a sign like that, we must be in the right place.

Susan and I standing in front of The Desert View Watch Tower.  From here we could see where the Canyon began out in the plains.  But by the time the river had made it this far the Canyon was clearly well developed.  The observant reader will note the Colorado River in the background.  Yup - Mary Coulter again.  She was a busy lady.

The plan for the evening was dinner at the El Tovar restaurant.  Hey, this is a high class place.  When I made the reservations I noted on the web site that they encouraged upscale attire.  Hmmm - I haven't worn a tie since I retired.  I hope a button down shirt will suffice.  I didn't bring any ties.  It was a fantastic evening.  The company was good...

 

This is what forty years gets ya.  A great evening with your best friend and smiles all around.

The foot was great...

Just look at that pork chop.  I'm a firm believer in the maxim that, "If it came off a pig, eat it."  But this was over the top.  VERY good.  It was the Chef's special - I love that guy...

Till next time...