Part 2 – Cross country USA, a moto trip.

We were in bluff, a small town in Utah, and near the Arizona state line. That morning we were due to move out when we stopped off at the local town museum, it had all sorts of small shacks setup like the people would have had in the old days, it was very new but cool to see. We met the museum runner a old lady and she explained the story of bluff and how the settlers tried to migrate south into Arizona and the issues they had crossing the gorges and canyons.

As we left bluff we entered into monument valley, the place where all the old western (Cowboy and Indian) movies were filled.

We headed off the main road and up a dirt track that zigzagged up a cliff wall, it seemed to clime forever and was a amazing view at the top.

We drove for a hour or so then reached our first canyon, we drove along the national park road that followed the edge of the canyon and stopped at a few places. There was several “natural bridges” and arches. The clouds in the distance started to rumble so we couldn’t stay long sadly.

As we left the national park we seemed to follow this canyon, crossing it on bridges and driving along its edge.

We took a turn off towards a place called “Bryce”, which had another canyon near it. It happened to be called “byrce canyon”. It was more we were driving on top if a ridge and looking over a cliff. The canyon was very orange dirt with natural arches and these columns that was left behind. Very pretty.

We left Bryce and drove for a few more hours until we arrived at a lake. It was the start of lake Powell, which would lead up to the grand canyon.

That afternoon we reached the next town we were stopping in, Page. It was in the Navaho (Native American) nation area. The next morning we were up early we were heading to a small canyon in Page, called antelope canyon.

This would be the first “tour” we had been on since arriving in America. Flemming had already seen it before, so it was just dad and myself. We entered the park and had to pay a parking fee, I always hate coins, even in Australia so I had a bag full. We were queued up in the line waiting and I started counting out the $6 to park, in quarters… when I got the $12 for the 2 bikes 100% in quarters they were almost spilling out of my hands. 
The guy in the ticket house was not impressed… he even counted the lot. Dad and I had a little giggle and my pocket was a million times lighter. ;)

We were loaded onto some large v8 pickup trucks with a bunch of other tourists and driven by our guide out to the canyon, it was to say the least a bumpy ride. The canyon was a cut in a wall, only 1-2 meters wide at the entrance and it cut thought the sand stone rock. What was special about this though was how the light cam in from the top and eliminated the inside of the canyon. The sand was like a fine dust and got everywhere. I was very worried about my camera it could easily destroy the lenses if it gets into the joints… The canyon was amazing and our guide was very good, showing all the good places for photos and telling loads of info about the natives (being a native herself).

We got some great photos of the sand stone, the light coming in from the top made it look almost golden at times. Definitely a place worth visiting.

Dad at Grand Canyon

Leaving Page our next stop would be the almighty grand canyon. It wasn’t long before we arrived, but boy was it busy… we had gone close to 2 weeks now with out hitting a major tourist place (other than Niagara falls). It was hard to grasp at the start just how big it was. 
We stopped at a few lookouts but did not stay long.

One of the lookouts had a tower, inside was a large number of native American artworks. Very nice to see and at the top was a good view. But it was very crowded and smelly as no fresh air getting in.

After spending a few hours at the canyon we moved on, it was nice to see but I found the smaller canyons (Bryce and page) must more pretty. However Grand canyon was impressive in its own right just how big it was.

The next day, we entered a road most people would know… route 66. We stopped in a small town for some lunch, all the shops had something funny, if it wasn’t number plates then it was cars or sighs or souvenirs. We spent a while just walking around the shops.

The next day route 66 merged into the main state hwy and disappeared, we were now on the road that would lead into Las Vagus!

It was HOT now, I was in the side car with the roof off and it was like having a hair dryer in my face all day, dad was driving and I don’t know how he could take it… it was super hot. We drove into Vagus and pulled into the first casino. “Circus Circus”, the rooms were only $30 a night so we took it and got out of the heat.

The casino had a indoor roller coaster and theme park for kids, live circus acts at night above the casino floor and loads of shops inside.

The night dad and I went out to dinner, we had a coupon for “All you can eat ribs”. We ate all we could eat till we were busting, they were soooo good.

After dinner I hit the town, I walked the “strip” and headed into a few casinos to have a look. I ended up having a few games of blackjack at MGM and doubling up my $100 so I pocketed the money and left while I was ahead.  The strip was alive at night with people dressed up in all sort of celebrity costumes. Each casino also had its own theme, there was pirates, romans, Disneyland, Egyptians, lots or things. I rounded out the night and walked back to the hotel at little over 3am.

The next day dad and I booked a hop on hop off bus tour which would take us up to the old vagus area on Fairmont st. It was cool we got to see all the old neon lights (during the day), and all the old casinos, the old mafia areas and loads of other things.

As we drove past the Vagus sky tower, someone was jumping out (like bungee). 
I turned to my dad and told him, I was going to do that today… no matter what, when the tour was on its way back, we hopped off at the tower. I booked my place on the jump and 10 min later did it.. sadly they forgot to tell my dad I was jumping and he wasn’t outside. 
But here’s a picture of the tower and me dressed up ready to go.

We also headed to the top of the tower hand had a go at a few rides, they lifted you over the edge of the tower and spun you around. A lot of fun. My $100 win from the night before gone ;) money well spent.

That afternoon we changed busses and headed down the other end of town, we got a tour of all the larger casinos and had a wonder around inside the pyramid, castle and creasers palace. Before heading back to the hotel as it was way to hot.

The following morning we headed out of vagus over death valley. We were up very very early… but that’s for part 3.

Stay tuned, part 3 and the final installment of my trip over USA. Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, Hwy 101, and LA…

Till then, HAVE FUN.

Steffen