May 2026-2. We Hit the Road...Finally!

 May 10-11, 2026

    After an additional two weeks for Marilyn to recuperate from two surgeries, we were on the road! As it was hot, we drove almost 600 miles to the Grand Canyon the first day. Little did we know that twice on our trip we would reroute due to snow!

Crossing the Colorado River at Needles CA.

Day 2. Visalia (home) to Grand Canyon: 1 day/581 miles

Day 3. Grand Canyon to Monument Valley: 1 day/176 miles

    First stop was Oatman AZ, where donkeys have free rein of the town. The 100° temp kept us from wandering the town like them as much as we would have liked.

Donkey checking in at gift shop.

    We departed Oatman with the van AC full blast and followed Route 66 up into the Black Mountains, winding past viable and defunct mines.

    Eventually we picked up I-40 and continued on to Williams, where we turned north for the last 60 miles. We went into the day knowing we would break the 300-miles/3:00 PM rule—don't drive more than 300 miles or later than 3:00 in a day. It was worth it, as we arrived at 7,000 feet where it was much cooler. We settled into a boondocking site along a forest road just south of the Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance.

Boondocking south of the Grand Canyon.

    Early the next morning, we drove into the park for breakfast at El Tovar. Meals are often surprisingly inexpensive in national parks, plentiful and delicious. 

We strolled along the rim a bit after breakfast enjoying the view. 

    We were mesmerized watching a pair of Condors soaring below the rim. As we continued to watch them, they effortlessly gained altitude and soon were above the rim and heading west. What a spectacular sight. 

From the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

    Even at 7,000 feet it was getting warm, so we headed east to Desert View Watchtower.

Brown Colorado River from Desert View Watchtower.

As we headed east leaving the park, we encountered Indian artisans selling their jewelry, pottery, and other native items. Many of the roadside booths were empty as it was still shoulder season.

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