So this blog is going to go in reverse chronological order because my pictures uploaded backwards... On Tuesday, Vegas was my last stop before San Diego. I didn't upload any pictures because I didn't stop, I just wanted to drive down the strip- which was flashy, just as I imagined. I'd definitely like to go back someday, but not flying solo. Before the strip I stopped at the tourist-packed Hoover Dam. It was impressive, but paled in comparison to the Grand Canyon. My favorite part was hopping between Arizona & New Mexico time zones :)
The Grand Canyon was by far the biggest jaw-dropper. I managed to make it to the canyon Monday night after leaving Santa Fe in the nick of time before the sunset. Walking up to the southern rim truly took my breath away. I had no idea what was in store; especially after visiting the Palo Duro Canyon in Texas! Watching the ground fall out from beneath me, and staring a mile down into the earth was one of the most amazing feelings, not to mention to brilliant red sunset over the canyon that my camera refused to capture.
Prior to hitting up the Grand Canyon, I stopped at the National Petrified Forest, for two reasons. One, it simply sounded cool, and two, I wanted to purchase a National Park Pass because I knew I'd be visiting several parks on my journey, and a one-time fee of $80 beat multiple $25 entrance fees (plus it expedites waiting to get into each park!). I figured it would be less busy at the Petrified Forest, as opposed to the Grand Canyon, so I bought my pass there & I drove through just for kicks.
To my surprise, the Petrified Forest is AMAZING! I wish I had more time to hike around and explore, but I knew I wanted to make it to the Grand Canyon before sunset. This picture is the Painted Desert that you drive through right as you enter the park.
And first of all, (remember, reverse order) as soon as I crossed the Arizona border, famished, I stopped at a Navajo Frybread stand and ate the most amazing "burrito" of my entire life. It was basically burrito ingredients wrapped in fried dough... absolutely delicious!
So this blog is going to go in reverse chronological order because my pictures uploaded backwards... On Tuesday, Vegas was my last stop before San Diego. I didn't upload any pictures because I didn't stop, I just wanted to drive down the strip- which was flashy, just as I imagined. I'd definitely like to go back someday, but not flying solo. Before the strip I stopped at the tourist-packed Hoover Dam. It was impressive, but paled in comparison to the Grand Canyon. My favorite part was hopping between Arizona & New Mexico time zones :)
The Grand Canyon was by far the biggest jaw-dropper. I managed to make it to the canyon Monday night after leaving Santa Fe in the nick of time before the sunset. Walking up to the southern rim truly took my breath away. I had no idea what was in store; especially after visiting the Palo Duro Canyon in Texas! Watching the ground fall out from beneath me, and staring a mile down into the earth was one of the most amazing feelings, not to mention to brilliant red sunset over the canyon that my camera refused to capture.
Prior to hitting up the Grand Canyon, I stopped at the National Petrified Forest, for two reasons. One, it simply sounded cool, and two, I wanted to purchase a National Park Pass because I knew I'd be visiting several parks on my journey, and a one-time fee of $80 beat multiple $25 entrance fees (plus it expedites waiting to get into each park!). I figured it would be less busy at the Petrified Forest, as opposed to the Grand Canyon, so I bought my pass there & I drove through just for kicks.
To my surprise, the Petrified Forest is AMAZING! I wish I had more time to hike around and explore, but I knew I wanted to make it to the Grand Canyon before sunset. This picture is the Painted Desert that you drive through right as you enter the park.
And first of all, (remember, reverse order) as soon as I crossed the Arizona border, famished, I stopped at a Navajo Frybread stand and ate the most amazing "burrito" of my entire life. It was basically burrito ingredients wrapped in fried dough... absolutely delicious!
