Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[PrincessInOz]

You do remember correctly It's my first TR, the engagement one. I slacked off on that one though, and never actually finished the Grand Canyon section But I think I covered most of the mule ride.

I think the experience should have been enough of a reward in itself

Sounds like we found somewhere for you to post the rest of your pictures.

Another wonderful day! From a selfish perspective, I'm quite glad you chose to head east, as I have already seen Hermit's Rest Another place to make sure we see on our next visit.

And I agree that the rim is very accessible. The buses are great! After we parked our car on arrival at Bright Angel Lodge, we didn't get in it again until we left 3 days later!

The one bus line we caught was great. I did see the buses running to Hermit's Rest and they seemed pretty regular as well.

Yes, the East side is very nice.

Lovely! Glad you kept playing!

I'm glad I kept playing too. And after the shots I got on this evening, I was pretty ashamed of myself and the thoughts I had when I broke the other lens.

The El Tovar Hotel looks like a very nice place to stay. The food looks very good.

Very nice scenery pictures of the South Rim and from the watchtower.

I really like your sunset pictures at Lipan Point.

Thanks Bret. The scenery is spectacular and the light was brilliant during my stay.
I like the sunset shots as well.

Beautiful pics PIO. Sorry it's taken me a while to participate in your TR, but I'm here now.

Nice to see you here! Thanks for stopping by.

Beautiful sunset pics! After seeing your pics of Desert View I'm really sad we went on the Sunset tour instead of going there. I guess we'll just have to go back sometime.

A trip back to the Canyon is always good. Just like a trip back to Disney.

So apparently the El Tovar is where my family stayed when I went as a teenager!! I couldn't have told you where we were to save my life, but the pictures you posted definitely dusted off some old memories. It was just one night (now I know why!) and we didn't eat there, but that's the place.

Beautiful pics as always! It's so stunning out there.....

.

So glad I could help dust off some old memories. That would have been really something to have gone to Grand Canyon with the family and staying at El Tovar.

Thanks!

Loving this photo tour!

Thanks Darcy. Really glad you're enjoying it.

The Watchtower looked amazing. Those details are incredible.

Your sunset pictures are gorgeous, glad you stuck around to play with the settings.

DS and DH certainly made themselves comfortable at lunch the food looks delicious too.

Pam - they sure made themselves at home during lunch. What else can I say....except.....BOYS!!

That Watchtower is probably my favourite building at the Canyon. I love the murals inside and for some reason, I imagine myself in the Fire Age living out there.

And now, a brief word from our sponser...



(Just for fun. Uluru was a gift from a friend who did go there: I haven't.)



Jud

I've been to Uluru!

Love your magnet collection.

 

[PrincessInOz]

While I agree it is quite impressive that you can take such a picture in low/no light - I still prefer the ones with the reflection of the sun on the rock.

Thanks Pete. I like them both....but I have a sunrise shot that I love even more. It should be in the next update.

El Tovar definitely looks like a beautiful place to stay or just visit for that matter! Your lunch seemed very enjoyable as well!

The views from the tower are simply stunning!

And what an amazing sunset!!! That's awesome you were able to witness it, let alone get those beautiful shots!

Thanks! It was an amazing sunset; just as amazing as the sunrises at the Canyon. I was really thankful to have been able to enjoy our time here with great weather.

Hey PIO!

Here's one for ya before we totally leave the Canyon.

Bottom of Hermit's Trail, a little oasis about a mile from the Colorado up a side canyon. Way up in the back ground, just left of center, is the rim where Hermit's Trail begins.





Jud

That looks strangely familiar, Jud. I think you may have shared it when we got to the Canyon....but it's nice to see it again.

The first photo that skier_pete quoted is my favorite. Please tell me you frame some of these. They're amazing.

Lunch looks fun and fartsy? The restaurant is gorgeous. I can't imagine what the hotel rooms look like.

Once again, you've got me pining to see more of the US. I'm going to keep this update up so Michael can check out the pics. He loves Disney but has been wanting us to visit more if the US. He'll love these.

Thanks Jenny. I haven't actually printed out any of the photos from this trip yet but I do plan to. I actually pulled my favourite 12 pictures that I took from the whole year and printed calendars. Gonna give them to the parents for Christmas. There were about 8 shots in the calendar from this trip and they've all come up really decent in the calendar. So, I might actually print some of them up into bigger sizes and put them up on our travel wall. We do actually have a wall in the house where we have put up selected pictures from our travels. Most of them have been taken by DH and I haven't added to it....yet. I think I might do so in the new year.

I hope Michael gets some ideas from this TR. You live in a beautiful part of the US and there is so much beauty close to you.

I keep saying it over and over but your pictures are gorgeous!

The restaurant that you ate at reminds me of one that Mom and I ate at in Yellowstone Park. Probably just all of the woodwork.

Thank you.

I think there are a number of hotels within National Parks that have been built out of wood. I've also seen the ones in Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. They are all charming and rustic.

Wonderful pics!

Thank you. Glad you're still checking in.

 

[ejud]

That looks strangely familiar, Jud. I think you may have shared it when we got to the Canyon....but it's nice to see it again.

Opps! Sorry!

Here's something new for those who are also mind-mushed by the Grand Canyon!

http://gigapan.com/galleries/4924/gigapans

I did figure Uluru might give you a bit of "home" as you carry on with your story. I think that would be a pretty darn impressive thing to stand before!



Jud

 

[Luvchefmic]

Checking in with you PIO Been reading all along I would love to see that travel wall eventually actually I would love to see it in person Maybe some day

Your photos are inspiring me to look at things here at home closer than I have in the past so I'm planning some " let's go see what I can capture" time after the holidays Hi to the boys !

 

[Aussie Wendy]

A Very Quiet Night



After the train ride, it was time to head home.

DH and I did stop off along the road that heads down to the house. There was a stop-off point along the way and the views were pretty good.

I think this is my favourite pic to date whilst I do also love the glowing orange and formation of Cathedral Rock - next fave ones below with the water in front!

 

[ejud]

Oh! That is a beautiful shot!



Jud

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Grand Canyon 21 September 2013



Early Morning Sunrise




I have long held the belief that the Grand Canyon is not a spot for late risers. With the kind of temperatures the canyon can command when the sun is high in the sky, I really believe that it's best seen at sunrise and at sunset.

Last night, DH and I decided we would set the alarm for 5 am and head out for a walk. When planning for this trip, I'd used AussieWendy's TR as a reference point and checked with her that the walk down the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah point would be something that DS could cope with. I'd ruled out Bright Angel Trail because so many people went down that one and I was looking for something a little more quiet and personal.


Sadly for me and after our walk along the West Fork Trail in Sedona, DS decided that he did NOT want to wake up that early nor did he want another walk. So, there was a little bit of discussion between DH and I last night about whether we should do the walk or not.


Naturally, I was ALWAYS going to be walking and was all for leaving DS alone in the hotel room. The question was whether DH would come along or not as he’s a much more protective parent than me. Yes, I know. It's one of those flammable topics that runs rampant on the Dis but I figure that this is an individual thing and it depends on the parent and the child. Besides...it's after the fact now. So, when the alarm went off and I got up, I left DH to wrestle with his moral dilemma.

I'd like to think it's my scintillating company that swayed DH to come on this walk. Sadly, I know I came a poor second to Mother Nature.


We made our way to the Visitor Centre where we caught the Orange bus with about 30 other early risers. We travelled in subdued silence and everyone got off at the trail head.


The sun was just starting to touch the sky.






We started to head down the trail. That top part has a few relatively steep-ish switchbacks. The other walkers completely left us in their dust.






DH and I made a few stops for photographs on this part of the walk.






That September moon and I crossed paths a few times on this road trip.







Our target destination for this walk is Ooh Aah Point. It's about a mile walk from the trail head and it doesn't take long to walk down to here. For anyone contemplating it, just do it. From memory, it took us roughly 30 minutes to head down and we did it with multiple photo stops along the way. We hit Ooh Aah point as the sun was beautiful and golden on the mesas of the canyon.






Our cameras hit overdrive at this point and I figure the click-click-click must have been heard for miles!







The change in light intensity and colour in a matter of minutes was amazing!






The Aussie in us wanted to call out Cooooooeeee. But in the US, Yee Haw was more appropriate.







The scale of the Grand Canyon has to be seen to be understood. It is just such a long (277 miles), wide (18 miles), deep (over a mile) hole in the ground that no photograph can do it justice. But it didn't stop me from trying!






And as with everywhere else we had been on this trip, we found someone to kindly take a picture of us.







We looked down at Cedar Ridge and were severely tempted to keep going. It was another ¾ mile away from where we were and it didn't seem that far.







But we knew it takes twice as long to go up as it does to come down. And heading down to that point would add at least another 90 minutes to our walk and I think DH put his foot down at leaving DS alone for too much longer.


So with a final picture of our surroundings, it was time to make the climb back up.







(Continued in Next Post) 

Nice to re-live that walk (apart from my DH little contretemp on the way back up). If it had just been me I would have continued to Cedar Point too. Sickening how much better your pics are than ours especially I think its the last one I LOVE!!

I haven't got to it yet but I think you also did the rim walk - I wanted to do that too in the late afternoon but DH was feeling a bit funny to do another walk later that day - I think his altitude "turn" scared him.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Glad DS got to experience a taste of a walk and lucky you to see the art show and the dancers. I still remember a festival in Brisbane we stumbled across by accident, I forget what but way before Expo 88, when they had Aboriginal, Maori and Native Americans dancing together in what was billed the first time these three groups had performed together, I think in a dance they had choreographed melding traditional elements of all 3 cultures. I still remember how amazing it was. Of course no pics as we didn't have a camera with us (and probably only would have taken 1 or 2 with film anyway).

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Welcome back! I'm starting to wind down for the hols as well. One more week to go.

I think I looked at VRBO because of your TRs; and knowing that you got pretty good accommodations.

I haven't been to Carnarvon Gorge (yet). I've been to Uluru (and walked the Olgas) and King's Canyon. We didn't stay in Alice; so I haven't seen anything of Alice. Is it worth a trip?

Reward for DS? You know....we never even thought about it like that.

Perhaps the burger and frozen yoghurt were rewards enough. He really is a pretty good teenager.

Yes, you and your camera would love Alice Springs and surrounds. We just drove along and stopped and did lots of shorter walks along the West MacDonnell Trail with our then 11 yo (Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek and more). Lots of red rocks, narrow canyons, water reflections, cliffs - some similar to your Oak Creek walks-google it). Going the other direction there is also the Larapinta Trail which you can chose to walk a section for a day or do the whole trail. The Desert Park was an excellent nature park (animals and botanicals). Alice Springs itself is quite an interesting town to explore - probably changed a lot as well as it was 2003 when we did this.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

I wish we had eaten a meal at El Tovar - persuading my DH to go up one grade can be very trying!! and when I haven't got DD as backing so its 2 against 1 I despair of ever eating anywhere nice in our future travels!! Ah well. Gotta love them.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Sorry for a sequence of posts but I am now all caught up - with this TR anyway. Need to check out the Aussie Board to see what else I have missed out on...I am sure there will be Shushs blogs the very least. Enjoying your stunning photography and writing as always and looking forward to the rest of your travels.

 

[franandaj]

I got way behind. The lunch at El Tovar looked very nice for a light lunch. I know how it goes when you have so many leftovers and have eaten so much that only a little bit sounds good.

I liked the long exposure shots. In Jr High I was a really good photo journalist, now I just remember that I used to know something and can't remember what it was! Someday life might calm down enough that I can enjoy becoming a photo journalist again without resorting to my point and shoot!

I loved your pictures and it looks like a lovely day. When did you stop with the ice water?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I love the pic of you with your arms up in the air at the Lookout Studio of the West Rim.

It's quite humbling when you see just how small we are in relation to the big beautiful world around us.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Opps! Sorry!

Here's something new for those who are also mind-mushed by the Grand Canyon!

http://gigapan.com/galleries/4924/gigapans

I did figure Uluru might give you a bit of "home" as you carry on with your story. I think that would be a pretty darn impressive thing to stand before!



Jud

Checking in with you PIO Been reading all along I would love to see that travel wall eventually actually I would love to see it in person Maybe some day

Your photos are inspiring me to look at things here at home closer than I have in the past so I'm planning some " let's go see what I can capture" time after the holidays Hi to the boys !

Thanks Ruthie.

I think this is my favourite pic to date whilst I do also love the glowing orange and formation of Cathedral Rock - next fave ones below with the water in front!

The more I look at the pictures, the more I change my mind about which one is my favourite. It's funny.....I just chose about 12 of my shots from this year to create a calendar and that one didn't make it. But I kept changing my mind on the final 12 so in the end I just picked and ordered. I think if I didn't "just do it", I'd still be sorting out the final 12.

Nice to re-live that walk (apart from my DH little contretemp on the way back up). If it had just been me I would have continued to Cedar Point too. Sickening how much better your pics are than ours especially I think its the last one I LOVE!!

I haven't got to it yet but I think you also did the rim walk - I wanted to do that too in the late afternoon but DH was feeling a bit funny to do another walk later that day - I think his altitude "turn" scared him.

Wendy - I loved your pictures when you posted them and it was one of those TRs that I went back to just to check out that DS would do it. Turns out he didn't.

Glad DS got to experience a taste of a walk and lucky you to see the art show and the dancers. I still remember a festival in Brisbane we stumbled across by accident, I forget what but way before Expo 88, when they had Aboriginal, Maori and Native Americans dancing together in what was billed the first time these three groups had performed together, I think in a dance they had choreographed melding traditional elements of all 3 cultures. I still remember how amazing it was. Of course no pics as we didn't have a camera with us (and probably only would have taken 1 or 2 with film anyway).

Are we showing our age here? I was at Expo 88 too. I didn't see those 3 groups dancing together but then I don't think I was into the cultural side of things then. Yup. Our pictures from then are on film and taken by DH.

Yes, you and your camera would love Alice Springs and surrounds. We just drove along and stopped and did lots of shorter walks along the West MacDonnell Trail with our then 11 yo (Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek and more). Lots of red rocks, narrow canyons, water reflections, cliffs - some similar to your Oak Creek walks-google it). Going the other direction there is also the Larapinta Trail which you can chose to walk a section for a day or do the whole trail. The Desert Park was an excellent nature park (animals and botanicals). Alice Springs itself is quite an interesting town to explore - probably changed a lot as well as it was 2003 when we did this.

Funny. DH was talking about taking DS to the Red Centre the other day. We haven't got any holiday plans for 2014 and we were just having one of those nice to dream conversations. Although....it was a 30 second chat; not a long conversation by any stretch of the imagination. I'll have to keep it in mind.

I wish we had eaten a meal at El Tovar - persuading my DH to go up one grade can be very trying!! and when I haven't got DD as backing so its 2 against 1 I despair of ever eating anywhere nice in our future travels!! Ah well. Gotta love them.

That's a shame. The food was delicious and not that much more expensive. I just pick the places and DH just comes along. No. need. for. debate.

Sorry for a sequence of posts but I am now all caught up - with this TR anyway. Need to check out the Aussie Board to see what else I have missed out on...I am sure there will be Shushs blogs the very least. Enjoying your stunning photography and writing as always and looking forward to the rest of your travels.

I think I'm all caught up on Shushh's and WanderlustNZ.

I got way behind. The lunch at El Tovar looked very nice for a light lunch. I know how it goes when you have so many leftovers and have eaten so much that only a little bit sounds good.

I liked the long exposure shots. In Jr High I was a really good photo journalist, now I just remember that I used to know something and can't remember what it was! Someday life might calm down enough that I can enjoy becoming a photo journalist again without resorting to my point and shoot!

I loved your pictures and it looks like a lovely day. When did you stop with the ice water?

When did I stop with the ice water? When we got to Colorado.

I hope you find time to get back to photo journalism soon. Thanks!

I love the pic of you with your arms up in the air at the Lookout Studio of the West Rim.

It's quite humbling when you see just how small we are in relation to the big beautiful world around us.

Thanks!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

How exciting to find out thanks to your wonderful TR and photo's that the south Rim is now accessible to a cripp like me! I am delighted to learn of this and the NPS buses.

Wonderful views. Lunch sounded nice and yum to the vanilla ice cream sundae! I am an ice cream freak.

How amazing those Coltler builders especially the Desert view tower. I am fascinated to learn the purpose of why the buildings were built. I will have to research! Thank you for the update.

 

[PrincessInOz]

How exciting to find out thanks to your wonderful TR and photo's that the south Rim is now accessible to a cripp like me! I am delighted to learn of this and the NPS buses.

Wonderful views. Lunch sounded nice and yum to the vanilla ice cream sundae! I am an ice cream freak.

How amazing those Coltler builders especially the Desert view tower. I am fascinated to learn the purpose of why the buildings were built. I will have to research! Thank you for the update.

Glad to be of service.

The Colter buildings were originally built to make the Grand Canyon more comfortable for people to come and visit. Hermit's Rest provided them with a stop on the West side of the Village and the Watchtower provided them with the stop on the East side. I'm guessing that the Railroad used them to promote day tours from the Terminal/Hotel.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Road to Page 22 September 2013



The Best Laid Plans #8




The alarm was set for 5.30 am this morning.


So early?


Yeah. We had to make it to Page by noon. It’s normally a 3 hour trip to Page and it was complicated in that:

1. For our excursion today, I had no idea if they were using Arizona time or Reservation time and so I needed to allow for an extra hour.
2. The 89A route, which was the most direct, had collapse earlier this year. There was an alternative route, 89T, that had just opened in early September but there was all sorts of inconsistent reports on Trip Advisor about the speed limit and useability. If I had to use the alternative route that was in place since the road collapse, I would need to factor in a 5 hour trip.

The plan was to leave at six. We were only 15 minutes late; and we headed out towards the East Gate. Not too bad.



Right from the start, I should have realised that this little trip was not going to go the way I had planned. Especially when we came across a road block at Yaki Point.






Naturally, we needed to stop.







There was a group of them on our side of the road.







They were enjoying breakfast, something we had yet to do this morning.













We were all googly-eyed!







With an eye towards the clock, we kept going. However, 20 minutes down the road, DH and I saw the sign for Moran Point.

Moran Point is just east of Lipan Point and it had been a close-run thing as to whether we saw sunset at Moran or at Lipan last night. Moran Point is named for the landscape painter Thomas Moran, who travelled with Major Powell’s 1871 expedition through the canyon. It was Thomas Moran’s paintings that were used to persuade congress to declare the Grand Canyon a National Park.


The light was amazing here at this hour of the morning!





















So, we were going to be a little later than I had planned this morning. But that's okay, right? It's all about the journey rather than the destination!

And I'm really glad we stopped because that last picture is probably my favourite from the Grand Canyon set.



As we drove past the East Gate National Park entrance, we remembered that we needed to pay for our visit into the Grand Canyon and we stopped by the side of the road. Well....turns out it was full circle. There was NO ONE manning that booth and the sign to pay inside the park was still up. With no other option, DH and I just looked at each other and got back in the car and headed on out.





(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)



Cameron Trading Post Breakfast




Seemingly out in the middle in nowhere on the 89 just past from the Grand Canyon East Gate, you'll come across a little place called Cameron. If you blink, you will miss it.


When we drove from Sedona to the Grand Canyon a couple of days back, we did come by here to check it out. It really is about 2 miles along the 89 from the 164 intersection. I had something to check out then and was completely satisfied with my findings.


Back in 1911, a swayback suspension bridge was built over the Little Colorado River. Soon after, two brothers, Hubert and C.D. Richardson established Cameron Trading Post, visited at that time only by the Navajo & Hopi locals to barter their wool, blankets, & live-stock for dry goods.

From those simple days, the Cameron Trading Post has now grown into a little institution and for anyone coming to the Four Corner’s area, it is one of those curiosities that is on the must-see map for everyone! I believe that a number of bus tours might rent out nights in the motel.







We had been blown away by how much native artefacts there was to buy.







For anyone seeking Indian artefacts, this is almost your one stop shop for Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, Hopi kachinas, Apache baskets and silver and turquoise jewelry. And the neverending display for trinkets!

When I said there was a lot of stuff, I meant a LOT of stuff. I figure this only represents 30% of the store.






My mission the other day was the check out the dining room.







Aside from making sure that there were things on the menu to satisfy all of us....







....I had needed to check out the opening time of the dining room. It opens at 6 am (7 am in winter). With the menu and timings meeting my requirements, I had planned for us to have breakfast here on this day.



I loved the pressed tin ceiling and the artefacts on the mantlepieces and walls of the dining room.














Coffee?







Well, it was early and I needed the caffeine hit. It was just about drinkable with some milk and sugar in it.








The breakfast menu had the kind of local offerings that DH and I love to try.
He went with the Navajo; blue corn pancakes. It came with scrambled eggs and bacon. The bacon was snaffled by DS and myself before I took this picture. DH opted to have the pancakes as is; without the maple syrup. It was a little dry without the syrup and I guess that’s the blue corn nature coming through. If we had our time again (and knowing that DH didn't want the syrup), I would have asked for a side serve of prickly pear jelly to go with it.







Prickly pear jelly? It was delicious! This was my Prickly pear French Toast breakfast. O.M.G. To die for. Literally! That’s a cream cheese filling on the French toast and the combination of the toast, cream cheese and prickly pear jelly was amazing.








I shared some of the prickly pear jelly with DH and we tried it with the blue corn pancakes. It worked a treat!



DS decided he was going to stick with something more conventional for breakfast. This was the egg breakfast. It came with a choice of protein and the hash browns.








I thought breakfast here was amazing value for money. If you are in the area, make sure you stop in and take a look. The gift shop contained everything from the standard tourist trinkets through to beautiful artisan creations. There is also a separate Art Gallery building, which we didn't even go into. It will come down to what you're prepared to pay.






(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Lost in Arizona



Once on every road trip, we end up getting lost. The reason for it is usually a communication breakdown between DH and myself. It only happens once because once we get to our destination, DH realises that he should just leave the navigation and directions to me and he should just stick with the driving. I figure the lost time is a small price to pay for vehicular bliss for the rest of the trip. Only once before has it resulted in us abandoning the destination and when we set out for this trip, I had no idea where the Lost in America episode was going to take place or if it would impact on our plans.


We filled the car up in Cameron and headed on along the 89. To get to Page before the road closure, you would continue up the 89 until you got to the intersection of the 89A and take the right turn-off. The trip would have been 3 hours from the Grand Canyon.


When the 89A collapse, the alternative route to take the 160 turn-off, head past Tuba City and continue on the alternative route into Page. The trip from the Grand Canyon takes 4 - 5 hours on this route.


I had been keeping a close watch on the ADOT bulletins on the alternatively route. The alternative (IR20) was already in use but it was totally a dirt track. All that was needed was paving. 9 months worth of paving.
So, I was really pleased to find out that the road opened in early September. However, there were inconsistent reports about how long the travel time would now take from the Grand Canyon to Page. I saw everything from 3.5 - 5 hours list.


So, I printed out the two routes via Google Maps just in case and we were following the IR20/89T map.


What I did not count on was the road signs along the 89. Talk about confusing! We saw signs to Page pointing to the right and going straight. We saw signs about road closures both for the right and going straight.


So, when we were approaching the 160 turn-off, DH took it without paying attention to what I was saying. So, despite me yelling....er....saying things to the contrary, DH kept going towards Tuba City. We ended up stopping and asking the locals for directions. Talk about confusing! We heard everything from going straight, going right and heading back.

DH decided that going along the 160 was the right thing to do. I'll save you the blow by blow account of what I said and what I said but it only took me a further 10 miles to convince him otherwise. So, we turned back and headed back to the 89.


Yes, it was the right thing to do. Some 10 or 15 miles up the 89, we came to The Gap.






By the way, that red car is the one we’re driving.

The IR20 or newly minted 89T turn-off was just the other side of the petrol station. The girl behind the counter said it would take an hour to get to Page from here. Apparently, the speed limit HAD been 30 miles per hour until that week. We were going to be allowed to drive at 45 mph along that road. I’m guessing the speed limit is why people were reporting such variation in the travel time on Trip Advisor.



We only lost about an hour driving around Tuba City. And whilst I was kinda stressing at the time, it all worked out. Thankfully, Page was operating on Arizona time!



(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Rose Walk Inn



I think I did mention that DH and I were keen to try out different accommodation styles; other than just a cookie-cutter motel/hotel chain on this trip. Our accommodation in Page is a Bed and Breakfast.


I'd found out about the Rose Walk Inn from Trip Advisor and the reviews were pretty decent.






The owners and I were in email communication since March. Based on their timeliness and responses to my questions, I figured that this might be a place worth checking out. The only issue was that the B&B did not have a room available for a family of 3. That room had been booked; and the only option was their King room. Whilst there was a selection of motels to choose from in Page, DH and I decided it might be worth the effort to stay here.


It really is a charming rose walk in.







We were at the door by 11 am and welcomed in. We had pre-arranged an early check-in with the hosts before we left. Our room was one of the rooms on the bottom level to the right.







The owners brought in a mattress for DS to sleep on the floor. For the two nights we were here, it was fine. I think DH and DS ended up swapping the floor for part of one night.







It was a really stinky hot day; so we were really pleased to be able to unpack the car and bring in our stuff for a bit. We got our bearings and chatted a little with our hosts. Thankfully for us, our tour for the afternoon was running on Arizona time and so we had time for a cool drink before we headed on out.

I'd arranged the early check-in because our host had arranged our afternoon excursion on our behalf. All our paperwork was with them and we needed to pick it up before we could do anything.


After we finalised the transactions, we headed out again. We needed to be at our destination by noon and we were all looking forward to the afternoon!