The Drive: Part 2
After our final stop saying goodbye to family, it is finally beginning to settle in; we are on our way to California! As we made our way through Missouri and Texas the road began to seem like it would never end. Field after field of corn created a surrounding that was making me feel as if I was driving in circles through the same town over and over again. Finally, as we got into the heart of Texas there was a change that opened our eyes a bit. It was a huge thunderstorm, and we had to go straight through it. The lightning show was spectacular, but as quickly as the storm came, it passed and the heavens opened up to a beautiful sight. It was a giant cowboy holding a steak. After 8 hours of driving we had worked up quite an appetite and what better way to satisfy that then a stop at The Big Texan. We got the classic steak and baked potato and it was delicious. When we were done devouring the slab of meat we walked around the restaurant a bit to stretch ‘the old legs’ before getting back in the car to drive towards this little place known as the Grand Canyon. We were making great time, but it would have put us at the Grand Canyon late in the afternoon which would have only given us a couple hours to see it. I decided to drive through the night in order to get there early in the morning. At around 3 AM I stopped for a quick one hour power nap somewhere in Arizona before getting on the road again. As the sun began to show itself on the horizon behind me, we started to see the signs counting down the miles to Grand Canyon National Park. The only problem, there was snow on the ground everywhere and all I had on was my shorts and t-shirt from the previous day when we were in the sweltering Texas heat. Luckily we had stashed some cold weather clothes near the top of the mound of ‘stuff’ that had taken over the back seat so we were able bear the cold. The sun was just peaking up over the nearby mountain range as we arrived in the parking lot of the South Rim.
Both of us leapt out of the car in search of the first spot to view the Canyon. We were power-walking our way to the ledge, and as it came into view both of us fell silent. I have seen mountains and deserts, oceans and jungles, but there is nothing that I have ever seen that I could possibly compare it to. It literally took our breath away. Watching the birds soar beneath us, it felt as though we were on top of the world. But then you look to your back and realize that you are actually staring into the depths of the Earth’s crust, rather than down from a mountain. The Discovery Channel definitely does not do the Grand Canyon justice, so I suggest you get off of your office chair and go see it NOW.
After a full day of touring the Grand Canyon, it was time to get back in the car and saddle up for the final leg of our journey…….CALIFORNIA!!!!!