Roadtrip to Cali . . . FRIDAY

goal- see the Grand Canyon

Julie and I enjoyed continental breakfast from the hotel and were off to the Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon
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Located in northwestern Arizona is the Grand Canyon. The canyon is 277 miles long and averages 10 miles across. Elevations range from 1,200 feet on the canyon bottom to 9,000 feet on the north rim. Yearly over 5 million visitors come to the Grand Canyon.

Arriving just after 11am we were both surprised to see only a few other visitors and empty parking lots. The weather was perfect- few clouds and sunny and the grounds were covered with snow!! First stopping point was the Yavapai observation station, which was really cool!! They had binoculars inside and maps of the canyon everywhere as well as tons of information about the canyon, rocks, and the Colorado River. Next we made our way to Market Plaza to get souvenirs and I got a t-shirt for only $9!!! Then we tried to make our way towards the watchtower but got lost inside the park and ended up near all the lodges and Kolb studio. So we got out and took a couple dozen more pictures and then headed in the right direction. The Watchtower was built in 1932, is 70 feet tall and built from stones in the canyon. From the top there are excellent views of the river, the canyon, the desert, and the forest!!! Just wonderful!!!!

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After 6 hours we had seen enough and taken hundreds of pictures we headed out of the park.

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Williams, Arizona

Population 2,842 Elevation 6,752 feet

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Dinner on Route 66 at the Route 66 café and it was wonderful!! Over dinner we discussed our next route and plan. It was decided that we would drive to Las Vegas and stay either downtown on Fremont Street or on the strip. After calling several hotels and all having available rooms we decided we would just figure it out once we got to Vegas.

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Hoover Dam

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Built from 1931-1935 in Black Canyon on the Colorado River for flood control and water storage, it impounds Lake Mead- one of the largest man-made lakes in the US.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Population 478,434 Elevation 2,174 feet

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Highlights from the night

<!--[if !supportLists]-->* <!--[endif]-->Fountains show at the Bellaigo

<!--[if !supportLists]-->* <!--[endif]-->Dealertainers at Imperial Palace

<!--[if !supportLists]-->* <!--[endif]-->Margarita at Margaritaville at the Flamingo

<!--[if !supportLists]-->* <!--[endif]-->And the rest stays in Vegas!!

Finally made it to bed around 3am and slept at the Flamingo hotel & casino!