Around the big hole to Mesa, AZ

It has been a long time since I have seen the Grand Canyon. And as I write this, I can say it will be a while longer. In the past three years, I have driven by the big hole three times without seeing it.

Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re thinking, “You drove by the Grand Canyon and didn’t stop to look!” That’s right. I didn’t take the several hours it would take to go out of my way to look at the big hole. My trip plan was set, and I was sticking with it.

I started out with my riding jacket. Then, I had to add my rain liner. and after that my fleece jacket underneath. Somewhere along the way, I added my rain pants. It was cold and raining in the north, temps maybe in the 60s.

I rode around the north side of the Grand Canyon on Alt US 89, and I found a highway just as wonderful to ride as US 50 in California and Nevada.

The route had a great mix of high plains desert and mountain forests. Traffic was relatively light, and unfortunately, there was just a little rain. The cloud cover really subdued the colors of the area.

I stopped at Glen Canyon for a couple of photos.

It was about at Glen Canyon that I realized my butt was not going to make it all the way in comfort. And, it did not.

I stopped in Flagstaff for lunch, and then made my way down I-17 to Phoenix—my butt hurting all the way. It’s not the seat, it’s just the butt burn from sitting for so long. Riding down off the rim and into the valley, the temps were changing dramatically. I pulled into a rest area to remove all the layers. It was turning hot. It was 100 degrees in Phoenix as I rode the even hotter freeways around the town to Mesa.

Finally, I turned into my mom’s neighborhood, pulled into the drive and rang the door bell—a place to rest for a couple of days.

Brent

Today’s Mileage: 458.4. Total Trip Mileage: 4,210.

Related posts:

1. The horse is headed for the barn
2. Debriefing: Riding gear
3. Back across the desert on US 50