Valley To Canyon

Road Trip Day Eleven

The van had been buffeted by fierce winds all night but we all managed some sleep. Once awake we decided, sadly, not to go on the guided tour of Monument Valley and it was enveloped in a layer of wind driven, fast moving sand. The guides suggested we go in the evening instead but we had to make tracks for the Grand Canyon so couldn't wait. Still, we skirted the main towers on the road out and it was very monumental all the same. GC was upset as she really wanted to go on a 'jeep' tour with Mummy and Daddy after enjoying the one she did with me into Canyon de Chelly.

The road into Monument Valley the night before

We stopped as Tuba City for a bite to eat and then a little further on at some fossilised dinosaur tracks just off the highway. The area is within the Navajo Indian Reservation and as soon as you arrive you are 'guided' by a Navajo local on a tour of the main fossils, who all the while is telling you how many generations he has to support. No charge made but donations/tips taken - suggested amount $20.00 per person! He was OK and carried some water around to highlight the footprints. I gave him $20.00 for all of us.

Dinosaur footprints outside Tuba City, Arizona

The drive up to the south rim of the Grand Canyon was impressive. We stopped at Desert View - the first official view point in the park - and were even more impressed. GC also really liked the Grand Canyon Junior Ranger hat we bought her. 

Grand Canyon from Desert View overlook

We found our RV park and then I confirmed our tour for tomorrow which took a while. The lady in the RV park said the office was just a quarter mile up the road. I set off walking and turned round when I reached a mile with no sight of Grand Canyon Airlines office. Once back at the van, we unhooked and drove up the mile and half to the office to find it shut. I then decided to just ring the telephone number from a payphone and we were all set. 05.00 hrs start for us tomorrow!