east, ho!

Still can't quite get this thing to upload unresized photos (and I can't be bothered to resize a bunch of them at this moment), but if you are my friend on Facebook, I have photos from our trip uploaded there.

Breakfast was the same as yesterday. Coffee and muffin for mom, orange juice and apple fritter for me. We checked out the gift shop, but the shirt designs were sub par. Then we packed up our things and at 10:40ish, we express check outed ourselves from the Luxor. First step to Las Vegas freedom! It took us some navigation and back tracking to find the exit that brought us to the shuttle drop off/pick up, but we got there! There was a shuttle van leaving for the airport, and we hopped right on it. We were dropped off at the Rental Car shuttles and they took us to the rental center. At Enterprise, we got an upgrade from Economy to nicer than Economy, and we had our choice of some Mazda, an Impala, or a Dodge Charger. Yeah, I went for the Charger, and Mom obliged. BOOYAH!

Three right turns got us on a road, which got us to Henderson (or whatever town is near Las Vegas) and before we knew it, we had escaped Las Vegas and were vroooming our way through the sunshine and eastward toward nature. We came to Lake Mead, which was in its off season and thus closed down in many parts (including the visitors center). There we switched drivers. Me. Behind the wheel of a Dodge Charger. AWESOME! So comfy, such effortless acceleration, such easy to use dashboard knobs. I always thought, from the vantage point of my bike, that the new models look a bit big and clunky, but looking at our rental and comparing it to other cars, it still holds a sense of fun and cheek. I shall get a good job and work hard, so that I will some day be able to afford a not so fuel efficient car of my own! Though for the almost seven hours worth of driving that we did today, it sits at half a tank. Which is pretty good I think. I know driving the Prius down to Portland took me to half a tank, but then again the Charger could have a much larger tank. Still, a days worth of driving and no refueling needed.

On the way, we went to an Arizona Tourist Information place that was located in the "town" of Chloride, Arizona. It was a bit ghost town/vacant, but in a very charming way. Got some drinks at the general store and some driving advice and a map, from the very helpful tourist info lady. Then we went back on our way. We switched drivers again in Kingman, Arizona. We got drinks, water, more drinks, fruit, snacks, and a big lunch at the Safeway. I chowed down on my sandwich while Mom headed East to Route 66 and all that it contains. We stopped at Hackberry, which was very charming. Lots of old, rather broken down cars. Some cute dogs in the store. Lots of license plates and other knick knack type items. Mom ate lunch, I took pictures, and we hydrated. It was all very scenic and lovely.

Talked to Nathan on the phone. Happy birthday Nathan!

Talked to Dad on the phone. Happy Monday Dad!

As we went along Route 66, headed for Ash Fork, the landscape started to turn snow crusted. And as we passed Ash Fork and went to Williams, it became full on snow covered. The roads were fine, and it did break up the scenery. Trees and rocks covered with snow, instead of the same tan rocks and sweeping tan views. We decided not to stay the night in the very snow covered, and icicle laden, Williams and opted to press on for the Grand Canyon and stay at whichever place was nearest to there. I took over the driving, and we went on the long straight road North. The sun was starting to go down, the landscape was snow covered, and soon the blue sky was consumed in gray. Half way there, the snow started coming down. A little, then more and more. As our visibility started declining, the Grand Canyon Inn appeared and we pulled right in and got a room for the night. The snow has since stopped, but it was a good place to stop. The accommodations are nicer than the Luxor. We have a coffee maker and a bath tub! Sure I don't drink coffee, but it is nice that they trust us with such an amenity.

Mom watched Dancing With the Stars and 30 Rock, and I computered it up. Tomorrow we make for the Grand Canyon. Unless we are snowed in or something, but I doubt that.

Love the Charger. Love nature. Love taking lots of photos, especially when some of them turn out quite nice.