Whooo-hoooo! We WON the Motel 6 all-expenses-paid Ultimate Bucket List Contest! As always, all opinions are our own.
Biking the Canyon
Good Morning! The view outside our room!
A staggering 90 percent of visitors to Arizona‘s Grand Canyon never venture beyond the South Rim. Very much like the time we stopped by with our three kids (one still in diapers and the other two under six) on a crazy cross-country camping adventure.
We took a peek over the rim, snapped a shot or two and then got back in the car and left.
All in all a successful visit — not a single toddler toddled over the edge.
Hint: To enlarge Instagram thumbnails click on the Instagram logo, then use your browser’s back button to return to our Grand Canyon Photo Gallery.
|
First glimpse of the Canyon! |
David channels “Titanic” |
But now that our offspring are grown and on their own, we decided to take the canyon a little more seriously, and add some adventure beyond child catastrophe prevention.
HAWK!
Surreal
Bikes are available for rental near the Visitor’s Center on the South Rim. The rental guys were glad to give us the lowdown on the best way to combine the easier hills on the bike with the harder ones by hitching a ride on the bike-rack-enhanced shuttle buses.
They even threw in a personal tutorial on rack operation.
|
Grand Canyon Magic |
Ecofriendly National Park |
Mounting our trusty steeds, we headed west on the road that skirts the Rim Trail. Clouds meandered in and out that day, allowing the sun to peek out and give us a different perspective every time we blinked our eyes.
Just Mule-in’ Around
The stunning Vermillion Cliffs in Navaho Nation on the way to our mule ride
There are precious few things in life that combine breathtaking scenery, hysterical antics and outright fear. We figured that straddling a cliff-clinging beast of burden would certainly do the trick.
|
Why we never work with kids & animals – they always steal our thunder! |
A quicky video sneak peek! |
Take 2 – Veronica and her new Grand Canyon mule buddy, Slim
WATCH: Mule Cam! A between-the-ears, cliff-hugging adventure!
There’s really nothing to fear — helpful chap-wearin’ guides are there to make sure that newbies feel comfortable, and that the more advanced riders don’t do anything stupid. Besides, the mules didn’t want to fall to the bottom any more than we did.
They’re stubborn about that.
Through Slim’s eyes
Among the mule ride options are a South Rim tour, a down-to-the-floor overnighter, and the one we chose, a half-day, half-way down trek that is only available on the North Rim. Well worth the incredibly scenic four-hour drive around to the other side of the canyon.
Through David’s mule, Mac’s, eyes
Feeling Above it All
Flying over the rim!
If there is a definition of a bucket list item, flying over the Grand Canyon should be included in the text. The moment we crossed over the rim and watched the ground drop a mile in an instant is something that will be forever imprinted in our minds.
No fear of flying could possibly survive the sight.
WATCH: The grandeur of the Grand Canyon from above
|
Words can’t describe, Veronica cried like a baby. |
Our trusty steed! |
Veronica literally bawled like a baby in awe, got out of one helicopter and turned around and did it again.
David had to restrain her from going a third time.
|
Delicious Mexican food…bliss… |
Meet Amber – she’s smiling ’cause she’s staying at our pet-friendly Motel 6 |
Back “home” to our cute orange room, exhausted and happy. 🙂
Sweet Sedona
|
Do you think whoever lives here will let us move in? |
Amazing formations on the way! |
The 40th Annual Fiesta del Tlaquepaque – oh YEAH!
|
Amazing traditional dancing |
Blue corn flautas! |
Good-bye from “Kodak Rock”!
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
See all of our Arizona Adventures!
We WON the Motel 6 all-expenses-paid Ultimate Bucket List Contest! As always, all opinions are our own.
YOUR TURN: Have we inspired you to take on the Grand Canyon? What’s the best way to see it?
This is a wonderful article. These types of articles keep the users interested in the website, and keep on sharing more … good luck.
This is a wonderful article. Given so much info in it, These types of articles keep the users interested in the website, and keep on sharing more … good luck.
This is a wonderful article. These types of articles keep the users interested in the website, and keep on sharing more … good luck.
Looks realy great! Thanks for the post.
Hi there! Such a good article, thank you!
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!Appreciate it
Thanks Rosita. Just keep submitting articles.
I tried in vane to convince FatBasterd to take the mule when we go to GC this September. Nope. So instead, we will hike it. Half way. Now excuse me I have no more time to chat…I have to go train. (He completely missed the fact that the mule does all the work) Dhurr!
Hmmm, it is a lot easier on a mule, that’s for sure. Have a great time either way.
Now you just need to go by boat. I did that in 1994, a great memory. Now I’m trying to convince one of my sons it’d make a good father-son trip. Nice pictures.
Yes, a raft trip would be fantastic! Thanks.
That is just such a wonderful trip. We started in Sedona and went on to the Grand Canyon. We shopped at that same place.. I think we bought rings. I just loved the heat and beauty of Sedona. We were “South Rimmers”… but I would go back. I’m laughing about the helicopter ride. Multiple rides is a great way to drain the vacation budget:)
It was so incredible that I just had to go again!
I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing the Grand Canyon from above in a helicopter.
Very possibly the best way to see it, although riding the mules was pretty cool too.
Okay, were do I start? Afraid of heights, afraid to be so high on the horse/mule. Motel 6 – yes – please leave the light on.
The other Veronica
Once you get going you don’t really notice the drop… at least most of the time. 😉
Wow, talk about the trip of a lifetime. I haven’t been to the GC since I was a teenager, but these shots make it look far more adventuresome than what I remember as a youngster. Kudos to you two for getting to go!
Thanks, it’s been fantastic!
Fabulous photos! This is one part of the world that never ceases to take your breath away! I look forward to future posts!
Thanks Mary!
I loved the music on the video. I did not find any credits on the video of the music.
Who played and sang on the song ‘Don’t Look Down’?
Love you blog.
TnT Meyers ( Terry and Teri.)
When David isn’t riding mules, he was known to write and sing a song or two. You can find them at http://www.stxjames.com
Just watching that mule inch up so close to the edge in your video scared the crap out of me! This is still on my bucket list, though.
It still should be.
I love the pic of Veronica and her new Grand Canyon mule buddy, Slim. Really cool.
Slim is a good one! Thanks.
Veronica and Slim look great together, I’d trust that mule. Did you say biking on the rim trails? Whoa Nelly – sounds intense!
Trust us, the mules get way closer to the edge than we ever did on bikes! Still intense, and intensely gorgeous.
Definitely take additional butt padding for the mules. I’m not sure I could do it. My former law partner has a photo where the mules neck and head are clearly hanging out over the edge. On the other hand, she’s afraid of heights and she did it. I guess once you’re on the way down, there’s no turning back and you just have to hang on tight and figure there are no reported Mule suucides. 😉 Seriously, have fun. It sounds like a great trip.
The mules do seem to like to walk right on the edge, but never heard of one going over… yet. 😉
Love The Grand Canyon!! I’m sure you all are having a wonderful time. I am always in awe at the breathtaking views . If you ride a mule, don’t forget your cushions! Remember to leave the light on for the rest of us!
Did it without padding… and the light is burning. 🙂