Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Grand Canyon 2017 - Day 1

Hello again!

Todd and I just returned from a road trip to the Grand Canyon with my mom, aunt Shirley, and my aunt's beau Walt.  We had such a great time - seeing the Grand Canyon in photos or on tv doesn't compare with seeing it in person.

The first day we were on the road at 7:30am and drove from Dallas to Albuquerque, NM  We took 2 cars and stopped in Bowie, TX to meet up with the other vehicle.  Mom transferred from Shirley's car to ours and we were on our way.  We stopped around 1:00 for lunch in Amarillo at Red Robin and were back on the road at 2pm.

Windmills near Electra, TX
Maybe don't let your kids play in the playsnakeground at this rest stop near Quanah, TX
3pm:  Land of Enchantment
We gained an hour at the border and set the car's clock back to 2pm.
Mountains - always a treat coming from flat Texas

We reached our hotel in Albuquerque (Holiday Inn Express) around 5:20.  Mom had the great idea of riding the tramway (gondola) to the top of Sandia Peak to watch the sun set, so after getting situated we all piled into Shirley's car and drove there.

That is some quality tile work in our room's bathroom.  I had to take a picture of it (and the stray hair).
What the sign says.
Oh, all right:  Sandia Peak Tramway
Waiting our turn, staring out at the moon and the Cibola National Forest.
There they go...
...and go
Lower station and wheelhouse
Upper station and walkway
One of the ski lifts behind the upper station
The upper section of the tramway, looking out over Albuquerque
The descent



Still a long way to go
Goodnight sun

After riding the gondola back down we stopped at Chili's for dinner, then drove to Rude Boy Cookies for, well, cookies.

Rude Boy was near the community college campus.  At 10pm there were people hanging out and a live band playing  outside in the one-street shopping district.  Parking was a pain because one end of the street was blocked off and torn up for construction, but it was worth it.
Open 24 hours.  Look at the line at 10:15pm.
I had an oatmeal butterscotch cookie, and it was good.
Back at the hotel.  Opened the nightstand drawer and saw Buddha giving the Gideons a little spiritual competition. 

First day down.  The next day we drove to our destination:  The Grand Canyon.  See you there.

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