Lauren – You Can't Get There From Here

Grand Canyon

When Chuck and I decided to do this travel blog, I intended to post every day. But honestly by the end of the day I’ve been too exhausted and well I’ve really been just staying in the moment. All that being said, I felt like instead of summarizing what we have been up to, the Grant Canyon really deserved a post all its own. If you have never been, it is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Don’t get me started on just the geological aspect, because that in and of itself is truly amazing.

Our first stop was on the West Rim. The West Rim, which includes the Grand Canyon skywalk, is owned and run by the Hualapai Tribe. The skywalk is a horseshoe shaped glass bridge. The views are amazing!

We asked to have our picture taken while we were out there, they provided photographers, and Niko was great and put up with Chuck trying to rush him along. Needless to say, Chuck was not a fan of the sky bridge.

What you can’t see if Chuck’s death gripe on the railing behind me.

We spent two days there. And the next day we woke up and it was snowy with no view. But if you waited 20min the clouds broke long enough for us to see some breath taking views of the canyon.

There was a tour guide there with his group who said it was extremely rare to be there with the clouds because it could show the depth of the canyon.

I have tons of pictures because it felt like every time I turned around there was another view I wanted to capture. But I mostly tried to stay in the moment. If you’ve never been, go. If you have gone before, go again. It was amazing and all I was hoping for.

Chuck has a ton of pictures too. No idea what we are going to do with them all. But just wow, totally worth it. Also, Chuck bought an America the Beautiful Park Pass and we have been able to use it to get into any of the National Parks as well as not have to wait in long lines to get in because they usually have a separate line for pass holders. So if you are planning a trip that may include some National Parks, this is worth the $80 annual fee 🙃

Going on an adventure

Wednesday we started making our way west. When I say my husband is a man with a plan it means that he has the book of maps out with everything highlighted, marked and circled. Me? I’m more the passenger princess/goblin type. I’ve got the map but I’m pretty sure we just passed our exit, but as long as I have my book, snacks and a drink I’m good to go. Our destination? Death Valley.

Now I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Yes we had watched YouTube videos etc but honestly I was just along for the ride. Nope nope nope. Could not be more wrong. The views were absolutely spectacular. Breathtaking.

Once we drove up the east side of the valley we went to Dante’s view to look down where we had just been.

I even found a Doodle to love on!

Once we tired ourselves out we made our way to our hotel. Gorgeous views all around us!

On Thursday, Chuck spent some time in the Tecopa Mine with its owner Ross. He was beyond thrilled and since I don’t do small dark enclosed spaces, I sat in the car reading 🙃 After that we drove to Furnace Creek in Death Valley for more gorgeous views and we drove through daylight pass where it started to snow on us. Now Chuck thinks he controls the weather hahaha. On our way to see Ryolite, an old mining ghost town, we found donkeys!

We drove through Beatty on our way back to our hotel in Pahrump and visited their mining museum.

Friday meant we were up early to head south to Victorville and start our trek east on Route 66. (I think it’s because you know who figured out how close we were to the San Andreas Fault.)