Day Twenty

Disaster of a day. Worst news possible. Not sure if I will recover. Premiership season starts and Everton lose.

Got up in good spirits due to the fact I didn't know the upcoming sports news. Ate breakfast at the Canyon cafe not the El Tovar hotel as Ann had decided overnight that it was too expensive. Checked out of hotel about 10.30am, and started heading for Springdale, Utah. First part of journey seemed to take an age due to the roadworks in Grand Canyon NP and also in part due to the following.

We finally started making progress, stopping only to fill up with fuel. Gradually made our way north heading out of Arizona. Crossed over the Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back Lake Powell, only created about 50 years ago. Ann filmed this next footage and is hoping to win a BAFTA for Best Voice Over Artist.

Crossed into Utah and kept heading north. Stopped for lunch in Subway in Kanab. Got asked by a foreign gentleman about what was the most scenic route to Salt Lake City. Looked at him blankly. Not sure why he asked us when there were the people who worked in the place, but I suppose as the staff seemed to be from Belarus we were probably the better bet. At least we were able to explain to him that the road to Zion, which he thought was shut, was actually open as the hotel we were heading to had emailed to let us know the details of the roadworks.

When we reached the road in question we could soon see the extent of the repairs being carried out. Originally when work had started they had shut the road completely, but when everyone complained about it being one of only two routes into the park, they relented and only close it at night now.

Plus side was when we reached the park entrance, we didn't have to pay the normal $25 fee as it is a free weekend. Great news. Cheered Ann up by reading extracts from the Zion National Park newspaper we were given. She particularly enjoyed the bit about male tarantulas heading down the canyons. Told to shut up. Eventually made it through the works to reach Springdale. Checked into Desert Palm Inn. Went up to the room and immediately gutted that we are only here one night, despite being in Springdale for two. You can see why.

Sat on balcony in the sun for a while before heading down to the pool for a swim. It was 6pm but still absolutely roasting outside. Had much needed dip. Too many French people in the water, although Ann reckons they were Italian. Sat on the big steps in the water watching the people who were coming and going. We had to laugh at one woman whose bikini bottoms seemed to be a token gesture. Played a game of lookalikes as we compared the various characters in the pool area to people we know back home. Outright winner was the 'Chinese' Danny Board.

Went out for a late dinner. Headed to 'The Flying Monkey'. Ate too much as ever. Now back, writing this listening to music on headphones whilst Ann is watching Return of the Jedi. Might head out to sit on the balcony and look at the stars when I have finished. Contemplating the fact that by the time we wake up tomorrow morning we will have been away from Ermingtrude for exactly three weeks! Where has it gone?!?