"Too Thick to Drink, Too Thin To Plow"
Major Powels assessment of the Colorado River.
He was the first to assess and travel it in 1869 and again in 1871.
I first read those words when I was 12, and have always loved the Colorado since I first laid eyes on it in Needles, Calif.
Sunday, we took a Grand Canyon Airlines flight over the Grand Canyon.
Pictures forthcoming.
Some long stretches of the Colorado are Carribean Blue. Stunning.
Since the big rains of 1986, two of the 191 stretches of the Colorados rapids were elevated to "10" status.
Any rating above 10 is considered un-navigable.
We considered both the Helicopter tour and the Twin Otter fixed wing tour.
Each tour very different, but the Twin Otter had the best value for a family of four.
Our route in flite was kinda-of-a lazy 8 from rim to rim. The North rim about 1200 ft higher in elevation than the South. Worked well, was fantastic.
Later:
We visited both the Brite Angel Hotel, and the close-by El Tovar Hotel.
Take our word for it, both hotels were built on these particular sites for good reasons. The views are spectacular, and though very close-by, entirely different. Hard to believe they're real views.
You realize right on the spot why the whole world comes to simply gaze out at the Canyon.
You can walk clear through the El Tovar and it is a really neat hotel.
One can simply walk a mile down, or perhaps just 50 yards down Brite Angel Trail to really fill ones heart with the majestic beauty of the canyon.
It's a 12 hour, hot and high altitude climb back up the trail if you hike to the bottom.
Honestly go on Brite Angel Trail eyes wide open, and prepaired if you decide to take the full hike. Even a short distance at least bring water, or Gatoraid.
We are now at our journeys starting point, Parker Arizona. 8016 miles total.
Today brings much needed welding repairs to our RV (remember cheap junk and expensive junk are your choices when considering an RV purchase).
Alice returns to work, one child delivered back to an ex, and Maynard & I then go take delivery on our new Wakeboard boat and go home too.
We will upload an album and a route with takes from all in the family.
Thanks to all for the nomination, and kinds positive votes putting us as Advisors.
- Ross and Alice.
We enjoyed the chance to ride shotgun!
Ross & Alice et al,
It was quite a holiday trip. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
Mark