Morning
The alarm rang at the usual 5AM but it was not a school
day. We got up and at em’ as quick as possible and out the hotel door. We had
ordered breakfast via the Whataburger ap at a Whataburger near our hotel. We
were in the drive thru awaiting our order before 6AM. Unfortunately, there were
only 2 workers there so despite it being past the pick-up time, our order was not
ready. We waited 15 minutes and finally got our order. We went to a nearby gas
station to fill up and get ice for our coolers in the back of the van.
We were on the interstate headed north by 6:30AM; albeit a
bit later than I wanted but still in plenty of time to make it to the Grand
Canyon before the rush.
We decided to take the EAST ENTRANCE to the Grand Canyon near Cameron, Arizona. I had been researching the entrances to the Grand Canyon since we booked this trip and the South Entrance was the only one open until just DAYS before we arrived. The south entrance had 2+ hour long wait to get into the park and crowds were growing daily with Spring Break and late March trips. Once the Indian tribes decided to open the East Entrance, I knew that was the route we wanted to take. This was the best decision of the entire trip. If there was ONE TIP I could give to sum up the trip… TAKE THE EAST ENTRANCE! Just do it… TRUST ME!
The trip from our hotel to the East Entrance was about 3 hours and 20 minutes with 1 stop for gas and bathrooms. The drive was absolutely stunning and the full of God’s handiwork. It started with desert interstate lined with countless HUGE cacti and followed up with forests and even a snowcapped mountain. It was one of the most beautiful drives I can remember. However, we soon realized that we would want to drive back through these mountains in daylight and not nighttime due to the incline of 6-10%. In fact, I didn't want to drive these mountains! I think I would have a panic attack! Thanks Chris for driving!
This was not the commute we are used to!
There were Cacti EVERYWHERE!
We are on our way!
Getting higher...
Luke- "Mommy, LOOK! SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN"
I was having so deja vu ... Back to our Shawnee lives living off of I-40!
Seriously, this drive was AMAZING!
We arrived at the East Entrance at 9:45AM and there were
only 3 cars in front of us. This was such a huge blessing as even the week before
our trip, the south entrance had 100+ cars waiting at this time. We paid our $35
entrance fee and we were on our way to the parking lot at the Desert Tower. My
heart was racing with excitement to get to see this natural wonder I had been
waiting to see for so long.
Highway 64 from Cameron to the East Entrance
We made it!
Bucket list picture- CHECK!
The East Entrance at 9:45AM (April 14, 2021)
I had realized about 1 hour into the trip from the hotel that
I left the hoodies in the hotel room. We had brought an additional separate
suitcase just for these hoodies (thank you Southwest for Bags Fly Free) and I went and left them in the hotel room at
5:30AM. #MOMFAIL! It was a very windy 48* and the kids were pretty fussy, but
they adjusted very well.
We walked from our car to the first lookout and our breath
was literally taken away. I have NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN SUCH BEAUTY! It was one
of those moments that people can describe to you but until you see it for yourself
you do not really understand. We stood there at the Desert Tower Lookout spot
for about 20 minutes just in awe of it all. Even the kids, shivering in their short
sleeve t-shirts and shorts were just speechless about the beauty of the canyon.
It was incredibly windy and at times was even blowing us (especially Luke)
around. It felt like tornado season in Oklahoma. We walked all around the
Desert Tower area getting pictures here at the there before heading back to our
car to make the 22 miles trip back to the South Entrance.
I'm here... I'm REALLY HERE!
My fist view... It will always be my FAVORITE VIEW!
This view was literally unbelievable! You just have to see it for yourself!
Family picture!
Looking west at Desert Tower
My heart is so happy!
Desert View lookout
Desert View
BEST DAY EVER!
This was a "what are we going to do but just sit here and stare all day" kind of moment!
This 22-mile drive westward involved about 6-7 different
stops and lookouts of the Grand Canyon. The park and the parking lots were not
as crowded as I thought they would be, but I can attest to the fact that most
of the people were driving in the opposite direction of us and headed towards
the East Entrance and not the South. This allowed us to take our time and
really enjoy each look out. It was so windy this day. I had never experienced
wind like this in a canyon and at times it was scary. Not to mention cold as we
did not bring our hoodies. This did not detour from our experience or trip, but
the wind was very uncomfortable at times. There was even a picnic stop along
the way that offered a bathroom stop as well. This was a glorified outhouse,
but it worked for us.
Moran Point
The Colorado River from Moran Point
Moran Point
This girl loved the Grand Canyon so much!
Thank you Chris for this trip!
A day we will NEVER FORGET!
Grand View Point
Snow at Grand View Point
Before arriving at the South Entrance, our last stop was
Pipe Creek Vista just before the Grand Canyon Village area. This was a tram stop
for the Grand Canyon Bus route and did not offer a lot of parking but managed
to find a spot to parallel park. This area of the park did not offer the
railing that many of the other tourist spots offered so we were incredibly cautious
with the kids. Without any railing and the incredibly amount of wind on this
day made me very nervous and anxious. This spot meant more to me than any other
in our day and I stopped and prayed for a while. After I had my moment, sang
Amazing Grace and found my closure, we ventured on to the South Entrance Area.
This spot is very special to me and I will never forget this moment!
We enjoyed our lunch at a picnic table at the Village Center,
but it was VERY WINDY! So windy that even my cup of coffee wouldn’t stay standing.
That made for a very unpleasant lunch with two kids who were cold, but we survived.
From here we went to Mather Point, the most populated tourist lookout according
to the NPS, and it did not disappoint. It was MUCH MORE CROWDED than any of the
other lookout points from Desert Tower to the South Entrance, but it is worth
the crowds. It was just breathtaking!
Rim Trail near Mather Point
View from Mather Point
We respectfully wore our masks in the more populated area.
I really appreciated the National Park Services putting up these signs!
This was very helpful and I think more tourist attractions should do this!
We walked about ¾ of a mile on the Rim Trail before turning back to get our car and drive the Grocery Store and Visitor’s Center. The Visitor Center was closed due to COVID, but the grocery store was open, and we were able to get some snack as well as souvenirs. The worker told me that this was the worst wind she had seen in years, maybe even a decade! I would tend to agree! TIP- This is a MUCH CHEAPER option than the Grand Canyon Conservatory store at the Village Center.
We sent out a few postcards at the Grand Canyon post office
and then continued westward towards Bright Angel Trailhead and the El Tovar
Hotel and Restaurant. This area was just as picturesque as the previous lookouts
but was a little more touristy. Parking was an issue at this point in the day
(About 3-4PM) but we were finally able to get a spot near the Grand Canyon
railway. We walked along the rim trail for another 1/2 mile or so before sitting
down and taking it all in before we left for the day. This area of the park was
much more populated with people and there were at least 2 hotels in this area.
Near Bright Angel Trail
We loved this day so much!
Looking westward at Bright Angel Trail
El Tovar Hotel and Restaurant
One last family picture!
We went back through the park towards the South Entrance and
left the park around 4:30PM. There were not very many cars trying to enter at that time.
We had to make a brief stop in Tusayan and discovered this is a much bigger
town than what we thought. It offers MANY small motels and restaurants. It is
only 6 miles from the Grand Canyon and would be a great option for those who
want to be close and not have to stay IN the park.
The South Entrance at 4:30-5PM on a Wednesday
This was a very easy entrance at 4PM!
Since we entered via the East Entrance, I do not know how the line was in the morning!
Tusyana, Arizona
(Not the "tiny" town we thought it was)
We did quite a bit of walking today!
Near Sedona on I-17 south to Phoenix!
Once back in Paradise Valley/ Scottsdale, we found a
restaurant to get dinner at before heading back to the hotel for the night. We
chose to eat at Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers, which seemed like a weird name for
a restaurant and I was thinking it was going to be a random hole in the wall, but
it was a chain of sports bars in Phoenix. The meal was ok but very overpriced
and the kid’s meal was tiny for the amount we paid. The service was not exceptional,
but we had no complaints.
$17.95 All American Cheeseburger
$18.95 Swiss- Mushroom Burger
I got us all checked in for our flight home on Southwest Airlines
before we left the restaurant. TIP- Remember, be sure to set alarm to help you
remember to check in 24 hours before your flight departure. I did this for about
15 minutes prior to the 24-hour mark so I could retrieve the confirmation
number etc. I promise, without the alarm, I would not have remembered!
Once back at the hotel we noticed our cooler was leaking and
had leaked all over the back seat. We quickly dried it up as best we could and
then went to the hotel swimming pool one last time. When we checked in, we were
told it was open 8AM to 11PM but there was a sign on the pool entrance saying
it closed at 9PM. It was already past 8:30PM so we hurried to get the kids pool time
in. At 9PM a worker came and yelled at us (and a group of men) to “Get Out Now.
We’re closed, can’t you read”. It was incredibly rude and very disrespectful. Before
we could even get out and dry off, she had gone and got another worker to tell
us to get out. I was not happy. I called the front desk to speak to a manager
but left a message. We booked this hotel based on the pool hours and location,
so this was not a great way to end our trip.
We got ready for bed and the kids were asleep in no time. It
was a very long day but so fulfilling! I am so glad we decided to make the 7+
hour drive to see the Grand Canyon! This was a bucket list item and trip and it
certainly lived up to its hype! Thank you, God for this beauty YOU CREATED! You
sure do paint a pretty picture!
Up Next… Our Last Day in Arizona!
Thanks for following along!
GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!
Did you miss a day? Catch up here:
Saddle Up Your Horses, We've Got a Trail to Blaze- Day 3
