9th September 2010

Glen Canyon



Glen Canyon Dam



We were awake before the alarm went off at 8am today. After a shower and a quick cup of coffee, we unlocked the bikes and set off to McD's for breakfast and to upload some photos, via their wifi.

I couldn't access McD's wifi, which was frustrating, but we got our coffee and big breakfast and then set off North along highway 89. We stopped to take pictures of the Glen Canyon Dam and then continued North. I thought I'd just check the satnav as I thought we should have missed the dam; I was right. We should have been going South. That'll teach me for not using the satnav. We wheeled around. Luckily we were only 6 miles out of Page. We took the opportunity to stop at the Wahweap Bay scenic overlook, which we had passed on the way out. We took some photographs of the splendid view at then resumed our journey.

The first part of the journey South along the 89 wasn't terribly interesting but the sun was shining. As we rode through a little gorge, we were presented with a vista of a green valley with red cliffs on the other side. The cliffs on the other side of the valley were the Vermillion Cliffs. We stopped to take a photo and to browse several Native American stalls that lined the lay by. I bought a couple of large, authentic, rabbit skin dream catchers for Amy and Eric. They cost me $45. Ugh. Bill bought Dee some 'Pat Butcher' earrings.

Wahweap Bay

We continued on our way and turned on to the 89a. This took us over Marble Canyon and alongside the Vermillion Cliffs. The road seemed to twist and wind over canyons and impasses. This meant that we did quite a few miles without actually getting very far away from the place where we had purchased our gifts. We stopped to take pictures of big boulders that had fallen from the cliffs.

Vermillion Cliffs

Eventually we started to climb up some grassy hills into the Kaibab Forest. The road twisted and ascended sharply. It would have been even better on a sports bike (said that before too). We stopped at a scenic overlook and read about how Condors had been reintroduced into the area. I would have liked to have seen one. Looking North from the overlook, it was strange to see the red sandstone of the Vermillion Cliffs meeting the grey / green slopes of the hills leading to the Kaibab Forest.

We continued to climb into the forest, along the 89. It was quite cold but I managed to avoid putting my jacket on until we reached the cafe/shop at the intersection of the 89 and 67 (Grand Canyon highway to the North rim). The bike temperature gauge was reading less than 60 at this point. We decided not to get fuel here due to the inflated price. Two coffees cost us $5!  Just after leaving the cafe, the road started to descend. It was a good road with long sweeping bends and was topped off by a fabulous view over a far reaching valley, with mountains on the far side. We stopped to take a photo in a lay by but it will not do the scene justice. While taking photos, I spoke to a guy called Carlos who was also taking photos and appeared to be praying. He was riding a BMW motorcycle. I had picked up one of his gloves and put it in his helmet as it had blown off his bike. When I walked back the other glove was on the floor so that went in the helmet too.

Our next stop was at a gas station in Fredonia. The garage had a little curiosity shop by the side of it. We browsed there for a while and Bill bought a Grand Canyon fridge magnet. I petted a docile but wary dog, who could only see out of one eye. When I scratched behind his ears, he stuck his chin out and closed both eyes; really enjoying the attention. Carlos pulled in for fuel too.



Casablanca Hotel and Casino



Our next stop was at Burger King in Hurricane, Utah for a coffee and to buy a chocolate bar and drink in the attached shop for our journey. I had to go to Burger King as Jane had expressed her surprise, via email, at how many McD's we had visited. I ate the Snickers straight away as it would only have melted and then sat down for coffee. Finally I had found somewhere with working wifi and could upload our fantastic Monument Valley photographs and update Facebook.

After this we started on the final part of our journey to Mesquite. Just out of Hurricane, we filtered on to the I-15. After this it was a quick 40+ mile blast to Mesquite, Nevada. However, we passed back through Arizona again along the way.

Casablanca Hotel and Casino

The Casablanca Casino and Hotel was great. Not on the scale of the Montego Bay in Wendover but I cannot complain at the value. At $27 it is better value and more plushly decorated than any Motel 6. We were on the third floor in room 3021.
I went for a steak meal at the "Blue Fez", while Bill decided nothing took his fancy and returned to the room. After my meal I put $10 in a slot machine. I got up to $11.80 but spent the 1.80 profit again, before cashing in to take my $10 back. At least I had played for 10 minutes at no cost.
I returned to the room and wrote the diary. Nikita, an American TV series based on the films was on TV. The bike mileage was 47665 when we parked up, which means that we have travelled 225 miles this day.