Early start this morning for the Grand Canyon. Flew from Boulder City (De Havilland Twin Otter) over Mojave Desert to West Rim. Views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and lots of ochre coloured landscape on the way, mesas, plateaus and incised mountain ranges. Lake Mead, man made, is beautifully blue against the harsh surroundings. The Mojave has less than 330mm rain a year.

After a bit of a wait in the hot sun we flew by chopper ( Squirrel AS 350 ) down into and along part of the canyon before landing by the Colorado River. Pretty amazing to be down in one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Hard to imagine once covered with water! Despite the arid ground and rock walls there is raw beauty and surprising plant life. Animals too but none seen down on canyon floor today. We flew back up the canyon – more awesome views and then did the Skywalk. Sorry no photos here as not allowed.

The Skywalk consists of more than one million pounds of steel and 83,000 pounds of glass. The 10 foot wide bridge foundation can support 71 million pounds so easily supported us! Pretty amazing to be “out there” and to look down! Had special boots to wear to protect the glass. The views here are said to be the best around including the fabulous Eagle Rock. Indians believe spirits leave from here. This area is the native homeland of the Hualapai people.

Next stop was Guano Point, yes named after the bat poo once mined on the other side of the canyon. The old cable headhouse is still there – workers went back and forth from this point.

See our photos from the Grand Canyon tour.

Nice to fly back to Boulder city again instead of a drive as 33 degrees now at mid-day.

Las Vegas is the largest city in the Mojave. Las Vegas means meadows as apparently was very green once upon a time. Now only green is the golf course!! Nevada means snow capped in reference to Sierra Nevada Range separating Nevada from California.

Great but tiring day.

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Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.