Tuesday 21 August 2012

Day 57: Kaibab to Las Vegas via North Rim, Grand Canyon

Well folks - I just spent an hour or more writing my blog for Day 57 and it disappeared. This might be it for now. So very briefly. We went up to North Rim Grand Canyon for breakfast. Poached eggs at last!




What can one say about the Grand Canyon? It is everything that they say about it and more. It is massive. Even Kiwi was impressed.


















We nearly lost him this time though.




We made the decision to go back through Zion National Park. It was a good decision - much nicer in the sun, and didn't add much to our overall time. Here are some photos that Diana took on our way through.








Great tunnel!










We then went to St George and hit the freeway for the 200km run to Las Vegas. Not much to say really. The speed limit was 120kph and we sat on it. The temperature got up to 41.5 degrees C. We put up,with it. On the way Karen 2 left the tour. She fell off Mella and disappeared down a gorge.

The battle into Las Vegas was just that. The engine temperature went higher than I have ever seen before. Our NZ riding gear was just too hot. By the time we arrived, we were pooped!

We are now in the Luxor Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. It is shaped like a pyramid and has an Egyptian theme. Very Las Vegas. Very over the top! Here is the interior. The lights are rooms - we are in the inside of a pyramid








And the outside.












Because of the shape of the building the lifts don't go straight up and down but sort of diagonally. Weird. Especially when you get stuck between the seventh and eighth floors. :-(
Here are some quick shots of the strip. I'll do more later.








Yum.




Great Harley marketing.




That will do for now. I heard yesterday that my friend Clare Stone (McDavitt) has died. We knew she was sick but thought she had got on top of it. She was a lovely gentle lady who did lots for others, especially for NZ Red Cross. She and I worked together for some years in the Red Cross Emergency Relief Team. I am very sad. I won't make your funeral Clare, but I will think of you.
Today's run: 479Kms
Cumulative: 17,047kms
Tipovers: 2

Location:Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

4 comments:

  1. Awesome pics Ken. I was trying to get an overview so created this map. Its not perfect but maybe you get the idea. Goto: http://goo.gl/maps/1H6Yq

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  2. Improved http://goo.gl/maps/PPsgZ

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  3. Ken, please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your friend.

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    1. Thanks very much Scotty. Life is not always fair. Today we went past the road to Scotty's Castle of Death Valley. We didn't take it!! :-)

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