Day 50

I has a wonderful night lying under the stars. Aircraft and satellites jostled for my attention among the miriad of twinkling stars. The Moon played it's part in the night choreography as well ... I had the whole Canyon to myself. Well, not quite ... way down deep on the banks of the mighty Colorado River you can see the lights of the white water rafters camping on the banks for the night. I can also see the flames of a big forest fire away over on the far plateau ... Oh! this is wonderful ... all from the comfort of a log park bench at the edge of the Canyon. I have the best site in the World ... yippee! It does get cold out here so I had to get up and put on some outer clothing ... but I had a very comfy and restful night ... feeling much better now. Around 05:30 the tourists arrive to see the sunrise ... "Hey! this is my spot, I was here first ... clear off!". That's what I feel like saying but they come in their droves to enjoy the the Canyon coming to life. I'll cleanup, go for a spot of breakfast and be on my way to Williams ... hope to have an uneventful day's cycling.


Not losing as much elevation as I thought but moving along nicely. Pass the airport where there is a swarm of helicopter ships waiting to ferry queues of tourists over the canyon. The halfway point today is the small settlement of Valle ... nothing much at it except a garage, motel and restaurant ... oh! and an aviation museum. Will hangout here for a few hours in the AC . The first 30 miles was a level run down to Valle ... I stopped there and made up a couple of cheese sandwiches washed down with 50-50 water-Gatorade. Found a few wine gums stuck to the inside of one of the panniers and that did for dessert! Getting hot now so I'll kill time here by visiting a small aviation museum across the road ... some nice exhibits including a salvaged Northrop flying wing ... really surprised, one of the early single seater jobs just lying outside. A very valuable item I would have thought. Overstayed my time ... the run down to Williams wasn't as easy as I thought ... haven't lost much elevation and my progress was a bit limited. I haven't had a shower in ages so I called in at this cheap backpackers hostel outside of town and gave myself an overhaul. My skin is very dry ... and peeling with sunburn. Not easy for sunblock to stay on ... I just sweat it off. Drank 7 litres of water today and am still thirsty. This is a good spot to stopover ... I'm about 10 miles outside Williams and have to find a bicycle shop in town. Also need to call into the local library and try and upload some photos. I can't quite smell the salt air of the Pacific Ocean yet but think I'll be in LA in about one weeks time ... that will be about 8 days ahead of schedule. Hmmm ... feeling quite 'chuffed' with myself though I daren't get complacent. The really difficult part for me will be the run from Needles to Barstow ... it's through a desolate hot desert and I may have to cycle part of it at night ... don't have to worry 'bout that now ... it's still about 3 days away. OK ... let's call it a night. 51 miles clocked and we're still firing on all cylinders. Goodnight.

Location:Grand Canyon, AZ