Day 3- Up to the Mountain...err I mean Canyon

"Sometimes I feel like I ain't never been nothing but tired.
But I'll keep walking til the day I expire.
Sometimes I lay down, no more can I do,
But then I go on again because you ask me to.

Some days I look down, afraid I will fall.
And though the sun shines, I see nothing at all.
But then I hear your sweet voice, oh come in then go.
Telling me softly, that you love me so.

The peaceful valley up over the mountain,
The peaceful valley that few come to know.
I may never get there ever in this lifetime,
But sooner or later, it's there I will go."

-Patty Griffin

I've decided that, in every place I stay along this trip, I'm leaving behind little notes in secret places for the next traveller. This note is from Mesa, AZ- Day #2.  

One of the most essential items for traveling solo in the desert is spray-on sunblock... for all those hard to reach places on your back and shoulders that would normally turn a beautiful shade of red if left unattended.  Thank you Trader Joe's for your SPF 50 brand.

I love staying at this hostel in Flagstaff.  I would definitely recommend it!    I just had breakfast with a Bavarian, a Russian, a Frenchman, a Brazilian, and a Dane. We ate oatmeal while discussing US politics. This is why I love staying at hostels while traveling! I must say that my French is quite rusty... and everyone at the table could speak at least 3 language fluently. Shame shame on me.

So traveling to the Grand Canyon was #1 on my list today.  Well, I actually don't have a list.  The only thing I know for sure on this trip is where I'll be sleeping each night.  Every day is a blank page and I'm loving the freedom!  So anywho, these are some of the beautiful mountains outside of Flagstaff on the way to the Grand Canyon.

Little Arizona Kitsch gas stations along the way.  Super friendly folk at every one. 

One of my favorite parts of today because I laughed out loud when I saw this.  Found this gem in a gas station restroom outside of Flagstaff. The varieties include: "Warm Encounters," "Evening Magic," and "Fantasy Reloaded 6." I wonder what the first 5 Fantasy Reloadeds were like... Not sure how much stock I would put in 75 cent condoms along the highway.

When traveling westward toward the East Entrance of the Grand Canyon on Rt 64, you will happen on this smaller canyon.  Don't be fooled like I was.  It was beautiful... but the real good stuff lays ahead.  I think this is called the Little Colorado River.

Almost there!  Rt 64... I can feel the canyon getting closer and closer! 

Finally!  The Grand Canyon in all of its splendor!  I have no words for this beauty, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves again.  It's rare that I'm rendered speechless.

This was a special moment.  I didn't play my mandolin here, but I did listen to Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" on my iPod while sitting on the edge.  I was choked up.  I'm sure the other tourists though I was a nutball.  But whatever.  I bet they didn't cry at the beauty :)  I figure that Patty's song (based on the speech by MLK Jr.) would suffice for the Grand Canyon... even though I was on a rim and not on a mountain top.  Check it out here:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA6Q5-Ap3o8

A lovely couple and I decided to trade picture-taking duties. Probably the only picture of my whole trip that won't be a self-portrait head-shot thingy. 

So now I'm back in Flagstaff and plan on grabbing some dinner and maybe meeting up with some of the other travelers that I have met here.  I hope you all had a great Monday at work!!!  Muwahahahahahahahaha.  Stay posted for the next part of the adventure!