A road trip and walk over the Grand Canyon (yes, over)

My longtime girlfriend from Seattle/Vancouver came down to Arizona for the first time ever so I thought a road trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona would be a nice adventure for the two of us even though I’m not a huge road tripper (or maybe I am and I’m just trying to pretend I’m not).

Lie Shia (lee-shh-uh) and I woke up at 5 am, got ready super fast, tossed our bags in the car and headed to Grand Canyon West, home of the Skywalk, the side closer to Vegas. When we hit the road it was dark and as we were out of Phoenix, we pulled over and took this sunrise shot.

Good morning Arizona.

This reminds me that dad has a sunrise and sunset calendar which makes me laugh. I joke there’s barely a difference, how can one tell? And now that I look at the above pics, I think I can.

Joshua Tree National Park

The Joshua Tree National Park is so cute – you’re just driving along and suddenly you see an abundance of these prickly trees. The rumor – at least on Wikipedia says the trees got their name from Mormon settlers who thought the trees looked like they were praying with their hands up to the sky in prayer to God like Joshua in the Bible.

All I can say, if you’re going to jump around these super sharp trees, make sure you have accurate head clearance. Bad accidents can happen trying to pull a stunt like this, just saying.

I finally got to wear my color block seed seed stitch wrap scarf I knitted a few years ago (I think I removed 3 colors). It’s like a big blanket and it felt like it took years to knit! I do think about my outfits when I travel – sometimes a bold color in a muted scene can make it pop. If you’re a knitter, also check out the cashmere ombre wrap pattern here. I have my eye on this pattern next.

On the way to the Canyon

When we bought our tickets (Lie Shia kindly paid for me, thanks girlfriend!), it’s about $75 or cheaper depending on the season. It includes a stop at this interesting cowboy town with a magic show – it’s really like a bathroom break and a random stop to take a photo like this.

After that, we got on the next bus  to head to the real destination – the glass skywalk! As everyone exited the bus, it was like a scene from the game Lemmings – they all started walking to the edge, there are no rails or fences, it’s almost like a, hey everyone, come over here and let’s just see who is smart enough to not get too close.

This is my second time at the Grand Canyon, the first was about four and a half years ago with my parents. I was taking photos and my mom kept holding onto me as if the wind would suddenly pick up and I’d fall in. Gotta love moms, even if you’re in your thirties you’re still their baby.

Lie Shia on the other hand kept getting really close to the edge. Like this:

And this:

When she got on that rock it moved by the way, it rocked a little and I screamed. The fact that the rock is declining into the canyon, um, no thanks.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk

The skywalk is run by the Hualapai Tribe in Peach Springs, Arizona. I’m all about supporting the Native Americans and I love their history and culture, it’s so fascinating! I also think Native Americans are some of the kindest, sweetest people.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a glass bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River.

The above is a stock photograph they gave us.

The employees are so sweet, this guy took my camera and took our photo of the two of us on the bridge and put my camera in a locker for me and gave me the key.

You may notice we’re wearing booties! The glass is expensive and of course think of how gritty and scratched up the glass would get with shoes that might have rocks stuck in them or dirt. You’re not allowed to bring a purse, cell phones or camera with you (they claim too many people threw things over the edge) – but don’t worry, there are free lockers and great photographers taking your photo and worth the price.

Like so! For $60 you get all of the high res digital files – and you can see it immediately. I don’t know how they do it so quickly but it’s incredible. I also overheard a single photo printed is $16 if you want to go that route but I’m pretty sure we got about 15+ images for $60. Sometimes, it’s just worth it! You know this, photograph is worth it ;)

Here we are, look how high above the Grand Canyon!

I felt  like I was so busy taking photos I didn’t actually take it all in. Then I laugh and remind myself, I have photos to show I was there. I think I’d just walk a bit slower and just stay on it much longer next time, but it’s one of those things you just try once and you’re good if you get my drift. Definitely worth checking out.

Here’s a quick video:

Then we walked around and saw mud houses and nature tents (not the PC term at all). And I just take pics like I live there.

Good morning *yawn* so what’s on the agenda today?

Sorry, I know this photo is now going to make you yawn. But doesn’t yawning sometimes feel good?

“Who’s there?”

Guano Point

The last stop that is part of the ticket is seeing the Grand Canyon atop an old Guano Mine. You get to see the canyon on both sides of you which is pretty cool. You can hike to the top of the rocky hill or go around (almost).

I like to sit on very stable, unshakeable rocks. Here’s the Colorado River where we get some of our water. No matter what people say, we are not scared about running out of water – or going through a drought like California. We’re all good!

Let’s talk about this Grand Canyon – is it worth seeing? Yes. But is it like everyone says, you see it, you’re amazed and within a few minutes you’re kinda over it? Yes. I know, terrible. But you go, you are fascinated realizing it’s one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Then you drive around and realize it looks the same from all sides, but it’s still incredible.

 Sedona

Of course I have to show off Sedona, where Mr. Wonderful and I got married. L’Auberge de Sedona is where I feel at home, it’s just the loveliest place no matter what time of the year you go. Here I am walking to the spot where we got married.

We sat down and had lunch inside the newly updated restaurant which is stunning. I suggest if you are in Sedona to save your appetite and eat lunch by the creek or the restaurant at L’Auberge.

The hotel recently went under new renovations – here’s part of the hotel lobby. I can’t believe they could actually improve on something that was already so gorgeous. The final cabin renovations are almost done and on the site they look so lovely.