Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Cayon National Park, USA July 14 to 18th 2011

(previous to Las Vegas) Grand Canyon was a refreshing change from Vegas.  First of all, it was 7 degrees Celcius our first night and no more than 25C during the day, what a change from the 38C in Vegas!  I was expecting a zoo at the welcome center with thousands of tourists, but surprisingly it wasn’t the case.  There are indeed lots of tourists visiting the park, but the National park is so big, that after a 5 min walk in any direction, you are alone with deers, elks, Californian condors and jackrabbits.

Our campground was fabulous with huge pine trees and deers grazing in the morning.  We were so happy to finally se some greenery, especially after 2 years in Torreon and 4000km through the desert.

It is hard to describe with words the size and colors of the Grand Canyon.  You have to be there and sit quietly for hours to grasp the size of that thing.  At sunset, I was amazed to see how the red-orange colors are changing rapidly.

We hiked a total of 12km along the rim during our three-day stay at the canyon. 
Alixe walked well without complaining!


We left Grand Canyon National Park and drove to Barstow, a desert town in the middle of nowhere (actually it is halfway between Grand Canyon and Santa Barbara).  Hard to believe, but before arriving in town, it was 47 degrees Celcius outside (yes, yes,  this is 115F). 

At 5pm, it was 43 degrees with blazing sun.  I have nothing to say about Barstow to the exception that I would never live there! (continue reading to Santa Barbara/Big Sur, California)

 

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