Road Trip Day 3:

Greetings followers!
I started early today. Earlier than I thought, and felt out of place until I, after a few discussions, confirmed that yes, I was actually an hour ahead of where I thought I was.
Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time. Neither does Hawaii. And some parts of Puerto Rico.
Well, it was good that I started when I thought I was ontime. I arrived at the Visitors Center at Sunrise Crater, and the Park Ranger let me in to stamp my book. Might be my new addiction as I travel this month. He told me I was early, and when I stopped in at the Wuptaki Visitors Center, the maintenance guy looked at me funny as I stamped my book.
Thoae two National Monuments were in my path to the Grand Canyon South Rim. I saw the canyon when I was in grade school; it looked fake then, too. Its so BIG. And so beautiful. I thought of my friend Steve, who shared that he had spent three weeks in the canyon, and said it was mystical. I think I'd love to spend more time.
I overheard an older man talking about how the roads he has traveled in the past few days as "the most memoriable he had ever seen." I have to agree. I didn't remember the roads when I was a kid, but I'm so fortunate to be able to take this trip now. And made it happen.
And so after the Grand Canyon and then the IMAX show, I proceeded south along the scenic route (as depicted in my Rand McNally roadmap as the most scenic in Arizona) from Prescott south toward Phoenix on 89. Little did I know that 'mountain curves and grades for the next 15 miles' was ahead. Reminded me of the Million Dollar Highway with guardrails. And one section was even safer, as the northbound lanes were built below about 50+ feet below. So of you were driving south and drove off the road, the northbound lane would catch you before you plummet further to your death. It was beautiful. A great engineering feat to say the least.
I can't say enough about the weather. a few sprinkles, but otherwise spectacular skies to see in the windshield. Last night was 7100 feet in elevation and 75 and tonite 1000 and 107 degrees. Ah, Phoenix. Good thing the first baseball game of Nationals at Diamondbacks is indoors. 78 degrees at gametime. A great start to the guts of the trip; baseball. I could only wish tomorrow's minor league game in Las Vegas could be indoors, too.
Oh well. Can't have it all. Enjoy the pics. See ya tomorrow.