We got to our hotel (Quality Inn) and then rode back up the street to Big John's Texas BBQ. A really good supper, excellent service. The waitress was super nice, gave us some pointers about the North Rim of the Canyon, and in general made us feel like we were back home. While we were inside eating, it rained.
There was some confusion at the hotel desk over the time. Arizona does not honor Daylight Savings Time. The Navajo Nation does. Simple enough right? Page AZ is NOT part of the Navajo Reservation. The clock on the wall behind the desk was on Arizona time. But... The Quality Inn is run by the Navajo. Even though
their clock said it was time for the lounge (bar) to be open, it was not open. "It opens at 6:00" the unfriendly girl behind the counter told me. "It's right there." and she pointed to the sign. "But it's 6:15." I protested. "No it isn't." she insisted. I pointed to the clock. "That's not Navajo time." she said. GRRR!
Friday 7/12/13
Breakfast at the hotel started off badly. An almost repeat of the unfriendly conversation at the counter over what time the Continental/Navajo breakfast would be served kicked things off. I really have full respect for the Indians. I understand that they went through a very bad time. I had no sympathy for the "Victims" that were working the counter at the Quality Inn in Page Arizona. I'll never stay there again.
Strike 2 came when I went to fuel up the bike. No debit card. Let me rephrase that. NO DEBIT CARD!!! Calm down, where did you leave it? Used the Credit Card to fuel Dances with Rain. Rode back to the hotel, no card. Found receipt for Big John's BBQ. A phone #! AH HA! Maybe someone is there cleaning up. Call #. Turns out it was the cell phone of the owner's wife. She was in Flagstaff. Nice lady, she told me that she would call the restaurant when the staff got in and ask. She would text or voicemail me since I was going to be on the bike. She warned me I would have no cell service at the canyon. Called the wife, she assured me no fraudulent charges were on the card.
Started south on hwy 89 and...DETOUR! Turns out Hwy 89 was washed out right where it ties into 89A which is the only practical way to the North Rim of the Canyon. Strike 3. I'm out. No Grand Canyon trip.
I U-turn, stop in at the 1st gas station I see and politely approach the Navajo woman at the counter. She looks me over, makes a decision and says, show me your map. She points out the longer Northern Route through Southern Utah. Go here and turn South at Kanab she told me. When I asked her how much farther it was, she gave me a smile, and asked me if it really mattered.
For those of you who don't know, the route through Utah ain't that bad. You either make things happen or you don't.
When I stopped for a water break in Kanab Utah there was a text and a voicemail from Big John's BBQ. They had my card. I texted back my thanks and that I was obligated to eat there again that evening.
Once 89A hits the Kaibab Plateau, the road turns Great and the Temperature drops. Once you make the turn south on Hwy 67 at Jacob Lake, the road turns to Perfect. One of the high points of my life is that I rode That Road to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I know there are other roads but I'll never forget that feeling of accomplishment and happiness I had while leading Pop and David into that place.
Soon after we entered the gate, we saw these cows to the right...
They seem awfully big for cows though. Let's zoom in shall we?
Kinda remind me of my wife...
So we park the bikes way out in the very full parking lot and walk up to the Lodge. Since I have been to the South Rim I have the advantage over David and Dad. They are both pretty excited but they are not letting me see it.
Do they look happy?
We walk into the lodge and it is 10:56 am. The dining room opens at 11:00.
We were the 4th group seated. Pop had his first Real Look at the Big Ditch from the window of the restaurant of The Grand Canyon Lodge. I felt like I had really accomplished something great. I felt I was giving back at least a little of the payment Pop deserved for all he has done for me.
One old donkey, one old Jack-Ass...
You are supposed to rub "Brighty" on the nose for good luck. The whole story is on the wall behind the statue.
Of course we wandered around, took pics, spent money in the Gift Shop... You have all seen pics of the Grand Canyon. It won't help you to see my pathetic attempt at good photos. Then we rode out to Cape Royal. I had badly under-estimated the distance. Oh, but it was worth it.
Angel's Window
A better pic of Angel's Window...
Oh what a surprise! I see rain in the background.
We hustled the bikes on back toward Page AZ. Both the GoldWing and the FJR had their "Low Fuel" indicators going before we made it back to Jacob Lake. I got very impatient with an SUV holding up a long line of traffic. He kept passing pull-offs when he could have let the traffic go. He would hit his brakes fitfully at the strangest times. After he passed the 2nd "Slower Traffic MUST pull off" sign and pull out, I lost my temper completely. I passed everybody, got in front of the SUV and slowed down. I held him up and waved the traffic around him. Illegal? Yes. Stupid? Yes. I cannot stand an inconsiderate "It's ALL ABOUT ME!" attitude. When I am the hold up, I pull over and let traffic go. I expect that same courtesy.
We could see rain in every direction and even got into a little of it South of Fredonia. Of course there was road construction between Fredonia and Kanab.
We drove straight to Big John's Texas BBQ where they treated us like visiting royalty. We ate outside so we could watch the rain roll in. Our waitress on this night was just as nice as the first one. When she returned my card after I paid she looked me right in the eye and said, "If it wasn't considered sexual assault I'd put this in your pocket myself." I took the card from her hand. I looked her right in the eye and said, "Tell me the truth, you really wanted to put that card in my pocket yourself didn't you?" A serious look, a sigh and she said, "I still do." and she went away. It was raining as we left the parking lot.
From my patio at the hotel. That rain is falling into Lake Powell just north of Glen Canyon Dam.
This rain is falling on me!
We are into the "Sunset" portion of the trip.
That ain't all folks! We still have to get home. Plus, I got one more item on MY list.
