June 25, 2013

Got up this morning to beautiful temperatures – 69. Warm and dry.

Took Flyer down to Wal-Mart where she’ll stay parked today while we take the rental car to the Grand Canyon. Headed back West on Rte 41 to 64 towards the Grand Canyon.

We decided to stop and tour Bearizona, a car toured wildlife park. It was ok, but certainly NOT worth the $70 it cost.

We saw white and brown buffalo

Horned ram

And black bear.

There was a small walking part and we saw three baby black bears. Then back to the air-conditioned Lincoln to head to the canyon. Now, let me ask a question. Why do they rent very nice cars all in black when everything is red and dusty here? What a mess, inside and out.

We saw so many signs listing land for sale. Several said 40 acres for sales. $795 per acres. Wow, 30k for 40 acres. Not in my home state. Not unless it won’t perk. Well, maybe that is what this land is. Most places we see are no more than a shack or a travel trailer parked among the cactus and tumbleweed.

This ride was nice; quieter, cooler, smoother but I am glad we have more space because I heard “he’s breathing my air”. Is it just my family network, or do all kids say this? I remember saying this from when I was a kid.

The fire warning is extremely high today and we can see where fires have burned this area in the past.

We stopped at the gift shop for the kids to spend their souvenir money before walking to the rim. Carboy picked out this really neat Jr. Ranger vest.

Even though you couldn’t see the canyon from the parking lot it was a very short walk to the Mathers lookout on the south rim.

All I can say is WOW. I’ll let the pics speak for themselves. (yup, those are my kids over on that lookout)

We walked a little way up the rim. The view was spectacular from whatever angle you looked from.

Oscar got thirsty on the walk too.

After a few hours we headed back towards where Flyer was parked in Flagstaff. I hope Flyer enjoyed her break on this hot day.

One more quick stop at another gift shop helped Sister Bear find something for her collection and a frosty from Wendy’s to cool the kids down.

Two of the three snoozed on the way back to Flagstaff.

Flyer was right where we left her.

Grabbed a few things from the super center and then returned the rental car. Tonight we’ll move East across Arizona in low light while the temps are cooler.

The moon was huge and moved in front of us along the road. Must be a super moon. It was full a few days back in MT, I think. But this moon is huge. We tried so hard to get a good pic, but no luck.

We found a place to park for the night near the New Mexico border.