The Grand Staircase, Part Three
Who Do You Love?
Day 5 - Escalante to Marble Canyon, AZ (with a Bryce detour)
All hoodoos, all the time, no waiting, step right up! That's Bryce Canyon National Park. Weird, wonderful and worth the ride.
There's an 18 mile ride after the entrance (love my forever National Park Pass) that takes you to Rainbow Point; my plan was to ride there then stop at all the overlooks on the way back.
Notice the elevation? Chilly again, upper 40s...
Here's what lies beyond the sign...
Leaving Bryce, filling up with Dinocare of course, I head towards Arizona: Jacob's Lake and Marble Canyon, over the Vermillion Cliffs. The road to the North Rim is closed; signs announce an expected opening of May 15. I've heard that before; twice I've tried on my way to the World Superbike races in Salt Lake City only to find it closed. Someday...
Lees Ferry Lodge is a funky, tiny place right at the base of the cliffs.
They also run kayaking trips on the Colorado River.
I'm in No. 10, perhaps they've heard about my Bond, James Bond imitation. This No. 10, however, bears no resemblance to the one on Downing Street.
The colors, however, are identical to The Wine Shack!
What are the odds?
Ginger gets tucked in.
Those are bird feeders.
The front porch is the only place with a signal, and I'm pretty sure the triangle is the antenna.
Day 6 - Marble Canyon to Flagstaff
An odd tidbit: both my phone and satnav had the time at 9:00, so I get ready to leave. Fire Ginger up, look at the clock on the dash, says 8:15. Phone and satnav agree, 9:15. They apparently didn't recognize the timezone change coming back into Arizona. Oh, well, nothing wrong with getting an early start.
Decided to do a swing north to Page, Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam. Glad I did, more interesting topography.
Heading to Flagstaff, you know you're close when the San Francisco Peaks come into view.
A swing into the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
Got lava?
With a much better view of the peaks.
Staying at the Little America Inn in Flagstaff, a peculiar name for a great hotel on very picturesque grounds. Good restaurant and bar too.
Tomorrow, the turn for home.
