Grand Canyon

We spent last night at our hotel, Fort Macdowell Resort.
We had intended to go into Phoenix but it was a 70 mile round trip from where we were staying. As much as we really wanted to go to Cooperstown restaurant, it would have been way to expensive in a cab.

The weather was a bit wild last night too; lightning and sand storms.

We were given $10 credit each to use in the resort casino; Mr A won $3.75 and I won $20 so that paid for dinner!

This morning we travelled through the Sonoran desert, Camp Verde, Red Rock canyon & Oak Creek.

We had 2 hours in Sedona for shopping & lunch, where we tried cactus fries! They were different....not my thing but at least I can say I tried them.

After lunch we travelled up into the hills, through pine forests and on a (little) bit of old Route 66 through Flagstaff.

We reached the Grand Canyon mid afternoon; the pictures on Google just don't do it justice...it was spectacular!
As we were there, the heavens opened...I've never felt raindrops so big, we got drenched!
Today's blip was taken later in the afternoon when the sun came back out.

Unfortunately, the turn in the weather meant that our helicopter flight over the canyon was cancelled. The FAA deemed it unsafe to fly due to the lightning strikes. Gutted....but safety first.

Resourceful as always, we had a plan b; which changes the itinerary for tomorrow but means we get to fly (again, weather permitting) over the Canyon, Monument Valley and Lake Powell on a plane, rather than a helicopter or what should have been on the coach.

Tonight we stayed at the Yavapai lodge, which is in the Grand Canyon National Park; the rim of the canyon is a 10 minute walk away.

We ventured back up to the rim of the canyon for sunset which was ok, but quite cloudy.

We have another early start tomorrow so an early bath & bed is on the cards.
Night blipmates!