Since I last posted from Page, Az, I did see Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River and got to the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Quite a drive but made it and spent some time there.

Didn't think I'd get to the South Rim the same day but decided to find a flea bag in the village of Cameron and continue early in the morning. Cameron has only one motel and it was filled. Went south to the next whistle stop of Grey Mountain a short distance and lots of vacancies at the local flea bag.

["Flea bag" is acquired road trip lingo for a one-night stay at a hotel or motel. Whether it's a flop house in skid row or a Hilton, it is always a flea bag. Overall quality rated by flea silhouettes, not stars.  Incidental, a buffet is a "trough."]

Made it the next day to the South Rim in good time. Driving there wasn't a beat the clock or zoom like a bat out of hades priority. Took time to look at vistas, visit roadside stands, anything that happened to look interesting was worth a few minutes (or hours or all day, if not on a schedule).

South Rim (on a Friday) was crowded but not ridiculous or unmanageable. One noteworthy mention: I took the shuttle bus tour to the different points of interest (9 or 10 stops in all) and the temp was 100 to 105. Even though I didn't do anything a person would call hiking and I hopped on and off air conditioned buses, I didn't take a water bottle. At the first stop (Hermit's Rest) I guzzled a 20 oz. bottle of water and drank the other at less desperate pace. How easy it is to get careless and not practice what I preach. Take water.

Spent the rest of the day wandering the views, bought some worthless souvenir items for gifts and managed to get to Williams and find a flea bag by dark.

Next morning after a good sleep, shower and clean clothes, I was off to Kingman and the road to the Hualipi (sp?) Reservation to see the West Canyon and walk the Skywalk glass bridge over the rim. I did both and it was quite an experience. Worth the long drive if you've never done it. Shuttle bus points of interest, however, is the only way you can see the views. $43. The optional Skywalk is at one of the points. An additional $32. But you can stay on the bridge and walk over it again as much as you want. No cameras allowed. Photographers will take a picture of you or your group and you can claim them at a counter in short order. I bought two. $25 each. Now I know why those Indians built a Skywalk bridge. At those prices, they don't need a casino.

Managed to leave in time to cross Hoover Dam. The overpass construction is as awesome engineering as the dam itself. Can't help but be impressed. Stopped for chow at the Rio in Vegas. For the money, nothing beats a Vegas casino trough. Prices have gone up since I remember them, but prime rib beats McD's anytime.

Was night when I finally go to Pahrump and got a flea bag room at the Gold Nugget. Reasonable and luxury. Got up in time for the 3-egg breakfast special--$1.99!--and headed out for Death Valley. 

Death Valley yesterday was overcast and windy. Temp was a few degrees over 100. I even got a few raindrops on my windshield at Bad Water. As I drove off from Death Valley, I could see from the higher elevation what I thought were low clouds. Then I realized, it was white sand from the dunes. Quite a dust storm and a different sight than the Death Valley I remember as clear, sunny and 120 degrees. 

Partly to avoid traffic over hwy. 58 and mostly for the heck of it, I got on 178 and came home through the Kern Canyon.

So, it's been an adventurous week, 3,000 miles on the vehicle, and--I'll just wait for the next bank statement and try not to be around when Mrs. Catpaw looks at it.

I don't like to write lengthy posts, so thanks for bearing with me and letting me share. I appreciated the comments from the few posts I wrote while I was on the road. Pictures I'm afraid is something my daughter will have to walk me through to get them posted.

Well, back to unpacking and sorting junk souvenirs. Later.