Day Nineteen

Woke up at various points in the night to check the time as brain was well aware we had to get up early. Various dreams all to do with not being able to find a place to see the sunrise. Got up at 5am. Ann said that she’d had dreams about not getting up in time, only to wake and discover it was still dark. Out on the road by 5.15am. Travelled east along the rim in order to find a good, uncrowded place to stop and watch. Eventually settled on somewhere facing east so we could watch it rise directly in front of us. Got out car to discover it was windy and freezing. Jumper good idea, shorts and flip flops bad idea. Found a spot to stand and wait. Frenchman annoyed us as he just kept wandering about kicking gravel instead of just waiting patiently. Eventually after a few minutes we were rewarded. He didn't fall over the edge, but the sun started to come up.

Having watched the sunrise, we decided to keep heading east to find a place to take pictures which would show the colours falling across the rocks. As we travelled along the road I suddenly braked hard and shouted ‘Camera!’ at Ann. She was slightly bemused, but all was revealed as I reversed a few feet.

Our first real wildlife of the trip and all we had to do was to be travelling at 5.30am to see it. Left Mr Elk and headed to the Grand View point. Took some pictures.

Arty!

Headed back to room to go back to sleep. Got up properly at 9.30am ish, and went for a very nice breakfast across at the Canyon cafe. Wandered in the shop nearby before heading back to room. Decided that we would head to the far east of the park to see the canyon in daylight and work our way back stopping at various points. Most places were extremely busy and road works along the route didn’t help matters. Eventually we pulled over at the side of the road and took a short walk to the rim.

Headed back towards Grand Canyon village and explored various views and buildings. Saw a stuffed Mountain Lion in one place. Thought it shouldn’t be a problem taking one on if attacked. Stopped in at the famous Tovar Hotel to enquire about eating breakfast there tomorrow. Shouldn’t be a problem. Sat out on some rocking chairs on the hotel’s porch. Headed home to write blog before tea, so I can use the wifi in the cafe to post it. Extremely tired now and getting ready to move on another 270 odd miles to Zion NP tomorrow.