The Grand Canyon

Pictures just can't do justice to how impressive the Grand Canyon is. We visited Grand Canyon West, on the South Rim.

I think seeing how small the helicopters looked below us, put perspective into how deep and large the canyon was.

I climbed up on some rocks and a fellow from Brazil took my picture. Sarah and I posed here with the Colorado River behind us. Directly behind the rock we are sitting on is a sheer 4000 ft. drop. It was amazing and frightening to walk on the rim and look straight down. Sarah wouldn't get too close.

We walked out on the skywalk and looked through the glass floor.

Even the drive out to the canyon was interesting, as we meandered through the desert and cactus. There were even cattle roaming on the roads.

Sarah was worried a rattlesnake would get her, so we had to rush this picture.

This was one of the Texas gates that kept the cattle in their proper places. It took quite a bit to convince Jesse that they were allowed to use a Texas gate in Arizona.

We thought of the boys when we saw this sign.

Breaking news at Home...

She was due on my birthday, but I guess that didn't impress her, so Arla Rose waited a few more days. Congratulations Dan and Katelyn. Do I get to call myself a Grand God Father?

And in the breaking records news is that while we are away, Jesse shipped over 4000 litres of milk for the first time ever. And he says there are 3 more cows going in the tank tonight, so he expects to set more records.

Grandma would also like to thank Jesse for taking her out for Easter dinner. Dolan Rd. Irving. Nice.

Arizona, Nevada, Hoover Dam, and then Arizona again

Thursday morning we left Sprinville, and were excited to find the speed limit was raised again. 80 mph or 127 kph.

We ran into a bit of snow again, but after we started to decend into Arizona, the temperature went from -3 C to +13 C in about 20 minutes. It was a spectacular drive downhill, driving with one hand and taking pictures with the other.

We took a side trip into Las Vegas, to look at the casinos.

On to see the massive Hoover dam, and a tour of that. It was crazy busy, and as you can see in the last picture, they are building an impressive bypass. We got stuck in traffic for 5 or 10 minutes, but the line up we passed as we left was at a standstill right up to the 7 mile marker in Arizona, so at least 12 km.

We spent the night in Kingman, Arizona.

Leaving Vancouver

There are things you don't get to watch out your kitchen window in Midland, so we enjoyed watching them assemble a crane outside Peter's window. On our next visit, our view of the mountains will be somewhat obstructed by a new building.

After we were satisfied that they had things under control, we loaded up and headed out. Our cross Canada trip over,we started back through the States.

Into Washington state again, and we got on the 90 eastbound at Seattle, if we stay on it, it'll take us right to Boston.

Back into the mountains again, and on into Oregon. The views are magnificant. There is alot of country out here.

We stayed the night in Baker City, Oregon. Then we headed towards Idaho and we learned a few things. Did you know it is illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon? The speed limits increased to 75mph (121 kph), and we saw lots of fields that could use Jesse and the brush cutter.

We saw lots more mountains and valleys, lots of potatoes getting planted, and then a sign for snow, and then snow. We drove through Salt Lake City in a blizzard, but we made it through safely and spent the night in Springville.

Cleveland Dam

Not too much to report today, as the rain fell quite steadily, but we did take advantage of one break in the rain to visit the Cleveland Dam on the Capilano River. Grouse Mountain was fogged out, the Capilano Suspension Bridges were rained out, but the Cleveland Dam was free!!

Stanley Park, Granville Island

On Sunday morning we strolled through Vancouver's Stanley Park

Then we Met Cousin Barb for lunch at a Thai resturant with her son Matthew and friend Bob.

We wound up the day with a visit to the Granville Island market, picked up some smoked salmon and other goodies, and back to Peter's for beer, wine and snacks.

Vancouver and Seattle

Friday morning and we hit the first, and so far only dirty weather. More mountains, and then quite a downhill ride towards the town of Hope, which saw the snowy -3 weather turn to rainy +12 in a matter of 20 minutes. The trees had leaves, and we even saw grass almost ready to cut for silage.

We arrived at Vancouver Airport in time to pick Peter up, and then made our way to his place. A short trip down the street took us to where Nick was just about through cutting up a dead animal, and then we all went for a few beer at the Railway Club. We wandered around for a bit, then had an enjoyable supper at the Three Lions Cafe.

Saturday morning and we headed south to Seattle, and with Peter to guide us and photograph us, we toured the Pike Place Market, a few wineries, and ended back in Vancouver for a nice supper at Kelseys.