Sunday 18th September

Today we retraced our steps from Needles towards Seligman and the turnoff up to the Grand Canyon. We decided to do a slight detour along Route 66 that more or less parallels the freeway for 80 miles or so. The countyside was either rocky and arid or flat barren plains until we got nearer the Grand Canyon where the road rund through part of the Kaibab Forest. We got to Canyon Plaza around 1pm so had a salad lunch and went up to the south rim. There is really only one word for the Grand Canyon - awesome! 

After exploring various viewpoints we went and booked into Canyon Plaza where we have a suite. It sounds very grand but isn't; although it has a nice little balcony and the kitchenette is okay. We shopped at the local General Store for our dinners for the next two nights but there wasn't a lot of choice; pizza and enchiladas are on the menu but the tomatoes look good. Tomorrow we have our big trip starting at the airport at 6am but luckily it is only 5 minutes down the road!