Mile 7798 – Back in Williams, Arizona, because accommodations near the Grand Canyon are overpriced and mediocre. Last night we dined in Tusayan, a town set up just outside the park entrance for the express purpose of ripping off tourists. I got that hint when the special drink of the day was a $150 glass of cognac. Most restaurant customers were of the Las Vegas, surf-and-turf variety, people who chose Grand Canyon as a side-trip while losing money in Las Vegas and when at home eat in Mafia-owned restaurants with musical entertainment.
Today the sky cleared hesitantly. We went to the IMAX Grand Canyon movie while the sun was getting organized outside. We arrived at the Canyon around noon and were greeted by light sprinkles, but after that, weather improved dramatically and we had gorgeous weather, with scenic skies and clear visibility the rest of the day.
Don’t come to Grand Canyon for solitude. Crowded parking lots and shuttle buses. We took the Hermit Road shuttle bus and hiked part of the way. P.J. ran into an elk. I spent time at a promontory watching birds of prey circling around looking for dead tourists. People spoke French, German, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Russian. English was rare, except for British. Americans don’t have time to visit their own parks, except for extinguished, retired people. Wait! I am retired! That’s why I was here!
Vintage Postcard Project: September 12: Grand Canyon
[Photographs © 2012 P.J. Gardner. All Rights Reserved.]