Turra Ted's Travels: Day 7: Scottsdale to The Grand Canon to Flagstaff

Today was one of the days they were looking forward too! And so was I, I never thought I'd get the chance to go to the Grand Canyon!

The hotel in Scottsdale had been great but it was an early morning again! The bags had to be outside the doors by 7am and departure was 8am. They had been told that we should go for the late breakfast option again instead of having breakfast at the hotel! So, the cases were ready and they were up and in the showers by 7am. This meant they could go and get a coffee and some fruit before setting off. The rest of the bus passengers were all ready early and so they were off once again!

We had a short drive to our first stop! They were going to get photos of cacti! The desert area round Scottsdale is real cactus country and a variety of kinds were there! They basically pulled off the freeway and parked up in a bit of waste ground and walked into the desert round us to take photos! Craig assured us that this was a place that only he and the driver knew about! So, theft that there were three other buses there soon dispelled this!!

I got my photo take with a cactus...but I was very wary as we had been told not to venture into the surrounding bush areas due to the possibility of encountering scorpions or rattle snakes! That was enough for L and she was soon for getting back on the bus!

We then continued on heading for Sedona. This was quite close to Flagstaff where we would be staying tonight. The bus soon started to climb as we headed for Sedona. Sedona is at an altitude of about 4000 feet, the same as Ben Nevis, and as we climbed we had some great scenery of the small canyons and towering mountains in that area! The road was very scenic and the rock formations and the sheer steepness of the canyon was very impressive! At one point the bus started to zig zag up the side of the canyon as we climbed ever higher! Once at the top of the canyon we headed on towards Sedona. The scenery just kept getting better and better! The mountains started to soar above us and when we arrived in Sedona everyone on the bus could not believe the scenery. Sedona must be one of the most idyllic places in the world! The town itself is stunning but with the backdrop of the mountains circling round it it made it almost perfect!

http://www.visitsedona.com/

They had around 90 minutes here. So again it was a look around and a visit to some of the shops before grabbing brunch again! Again the food and the service in the restaurant was great - and despite it being a popular place for bus parties we had a great meal sitting on the outdoor patio with the most amazing view! It was like Switzerland but with no snow!

The bus was soon off once more and there was an air of excitement from everyone as they knew our next stop was at the Grand Canyon! They actually had to go through Flagstaff to get on to the road that would take them to the GC! We had a drive of about 90 minutes to go! Craig, the tour guide, explained that there would be three drop offs! 21 would be dropped at 'Papillions Grand Canyon Helicopters'!

http://www.papillon.com/?gclid=CJ_Iutzzn7ECFQoZQgodqRk8Wg

Another 7 were being dropped at another helicopter tour company while the remainder of the group would be taken straight to the Canyon to spend a little longer at the rim!

So, our group was to be dropped first! Then the bombshell came! You could take a camera with you - but no bags and extra items! It dawned on me that that meant ME! I had been looking forward to this all the way along on the trip and now I was being told that I could not go! What a bummer!

So, A and L left with the others and I had to go on the bus with the others!

On arrival at the 'heliport' we had to be checked in! No passport, but we all had to be weighed! The people going on each flight would have to be matched according to their weights! There were 6 passengers in each helicopter! Craig said he could not guarantee that everyone would be on the same flight. Luckily, we were but because of the balance required across the passengers it meant L was in the front and A was in the back!

After the big weigh in we saw a safety video and then had to wait for our flight! After a few moments we were called! Their copter was first! They went out and had their photo taken first! It was obviously exit by the gift shop and buy your souvenir photo! Then according to the number on their ticket they entered the copter! They put on headphones, buckled up their seatbelts and waited!

Before the knew it the copter had taken off and was soon hovering above the heliport! After a little hesitation it suddenly lurched forward and was soon soaring above the tree tops! They were told that it would take around 7 minutes to get to the canyon! The journey was a lot bumpier than A expected and he was soon feeling a little query! However, despite that he was juggling his camera and video to make sure he recorded the experience for evermore!

They continued on and they could see the canyon spread out before them! It was a cloudy day and further along the canyon you could see that the rain was falling hard! They kept well away from dodgy weather and suddenly they were there! The ground under us in suddenly fell away and all you could see was the gigantic cavernous expanse of canyon below us! The helicopter really gave you the opportunity to appreciate the sheer size of the Grand Canyon! The tiny helicopter must have been dwarfed compared to the canyon! The rugged scenery spread before us and everywhere you looked you saw another amazing view!

Suddenly you are faced with the dilemma! To film or take photos or just sit back and enjoy the view! This really is a once in a lifetime experience! You had to take in as much as you could, but you had to film and photograph it! The only problem was the reflections from the glass in the video and photos!

The copter flew along the canyon and followed a number of different areas of the it! Each was different but your eyes were trying to take in as much as you can.

The Grand Canyon is well named! It truly was a great experience! Seeing it from above gives you a totally different perspective to just seeing it from the rim! Despite A feeling decidedly 'iffy' on his return he really enjoyed it! L loved it and felt it was quite an emotional trip. All through the trip you either listened to an accompanying commenttary or listened to music to help lull you into a dreamlike state!

Before we knew it the copter had left the canyon and was making its way back to the heliport! Everyone sat. In silence, contemplating what they had seen and experienced! On landing they were led back into the building to visit the gift shop and see the photo of each family or couple outside their helicopter!

They waited for the bus to pick them up and then they too were taken to the rim of the canyon to spend some time there seeing the canyon from the. Ground level!

They had around 90 minutes before the bus would have to start the return journey to Flagstaff! So, I managed to get out at last to see the canyon! Walking up to the rim of the canyon was quite exhilarating and when you are suddenly faced by the spectacular sight of the rock formations it takes your breath away. They stood and looked for a few minutes! The whole area was buzzing with tourists and countless photos were being taken! They then went for a walk along the rim stopping every now and then to take yet more photos! I managed to get a few pics taken too and was worried I might fall in to the canyon....and that would have been it! This was not going to be my 'Thelma and Louise' moment!

I must admit I really enjoyed seeing the canyon. Nothing can really prepare you for the experience! It is easy to see why this is one of the 'Wonders of the World'! I don't know what the rest of the holiday will be able to offer to compete with this...and I did not even make it to the helicopter!

After a rushed visit to the gift shop, as always, they had a 90 minute journey back to Flagstaff! Again, the journey back was a quiet one as people contemplated what they had seen!

They had to be back by 7am to ensure they made it for the end of Happy Hour! If they made it by 7pm they would get free drinks and a free complimentary dinner! Well, they made it in time and over dinner everyone shared their experiences once again!

Another great hotel! However, the excitement continues as tomorrow it is LAS VEGAS!

More soon! Hopefully the Vegas hotel will have wifi!

Ted