We actually slept in and then made our way down to the lobby.  First things first. Coffee.  Thumbs down for Monte Carlo – no coffee makers in the room.  We wondered down the strip checking out shops and casinos.

We had a late lunch – early supper.  Greg calls it Lupper!  We broke our rule of no chain resturants and ate at Hard Rock Cafe.  As many times as this happens to us you think we would learn but we did it again!  Over ordered!  Let our tastebuds pick more than our stomachs can handle.  Nachos, potatoe skins, bbq.  Enough left for at least two more people.

We had a little downtime until our show tonight so we went back to the Monte Carlo and hit the slot machines and the poker tables.  No big wins for either of us.

A bucket list item for Greg is to go the the Laugh Factory.  So tonight we have tickets for the Laugh Factory.

I must give the Laugh Factory a very good review.  We had a total of four comics entertain us.  A couple who have been on Jay Leno, Comedy Central and Last Comic Standing to name a few.

What a long day and so many memories made.

We turned in for another day to rest up for tomorrow.

As we left Williams, Arizona we headed back out on Route 66 for as long as we could as we headed to Vegas.  One stop along Route 66 was Seligman, Arizona.  A quite little town that you could only imagine during the hayday of Route 66.

  
At the Route 66 Motorporium a tour bus had stopped full of Europeans.  They were so funny looking at all the souvenirs and mementoes that were available.  I wonder if when we are in Europe touring their country if they feel the same way about us?  We stretched our legs and took a few photos and headed on our way.

Next stop – Nevada!  The scenry is changing, more desert and flat land but lots of Mountains in the distance.

  
  
When I imagined the desert  I had in mind sand, lots of sand, and only sand, with maybe a cactus or two.  Greg said we still may see this later.

We made it to Nevada, Vegas can’t be far.  This has all been new territory for me and I have been on the edge of my seat watching the scenery, not wanting to miss anything.  Greg has been so great to stop at every little thing we have seen and even stoping at lookout points so I can take pictures.

 

 We made it!  How much fun is this.  What a City!  We checked into the Monte Carlo.

 After checking in and unloading everything in our room, we headed to the concierge to check out tours.  What a small world, so happens that the lady waiting on us was from Germany, of course Greg had to say something to her in German.  She asked him where he had been stationed and he related Berlin, she said she was too, she then asked was he Air Force – Yes, Security Police – Yes.  Greg started getting a real funny look on his face and then asked who she was.  She related that she thought he looked familiar and come to find out her ex-husband and Greg were stationed together in Germany and had actually shared an office and they had all lived close to each other.  She was very helpful in helping us fill up the next two days and get as much as we could out of Vegas.  First things first was a open double decker bus of the town so we could get a over view of the place and see just what all we really wanted to go back and see closer.

We had supper at Pampas, a Brazillian Steakhouse, if you have never ate a Brazillian Steakhouse you must try one sometime in your life.  They are a culinary experience like no other.  Especially for the carnivorous ones.  A Brazillian Steakhouse practices the churrascaria style of cooking, where skewers of meat are cooked over an open fire.  Every type of meat you can imagine is brought to your table to taste if you like.  Everything from lamb, pork, sausage, chicken, beef and all of them cooked in different styles and seasonings.  Awesome meal and experience.

There were so many shows to see that deciding was rather hard, since oviously we couldn’t see them all.  We decided on see Vegas the Show.

  Although you may think it was all shows girls and glitter, it wasn’t.  It started in the early 40’s telling the story of Vegas and how it had changed through the years.  It highlighted, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr.  along with Wayne Newton and Elvis.  They threw  in a little Cirque Du Soleil and Magicians and singing and dancing.  It was a real must see and I highly recommend it.  It was the best of all shows through the years thrown into one show.

After the show we wondered around the Strip to see it in the night lights.  You could hardly tell it was night except for the fact all the neon really shown bright.

  
After walking what felt like a hundred miles we decided that we would call that a day and head in for the night.

After a snack for lunch as we sat on the veranda of the Bright Angel Lodge we watched squirrells try to steal food from everyone.  Signs were posted everywhere “Don’t Feed the Squirrells”  I don’t think the squirrells could read. 

 
The Bright Angel Lodge and the El Tovar Lodge were the oldest lodges in Canyon Village.  Canyon Village is inhabited by 2000 people that live there year round and work for the company.  It is kinda like the song says owe your soul to the company store.  The Company is Xanterra Parks and Resorts and they provide their employees with housing amoung other things.  The Village has a school, general store, post office and a doctor’s office.  All the guides we had seem to really love living and working there.

  
This is the fireplace in the Bright Angel Lodge, it’s hard to see in the picture but this was designed by Mary Colter and each layer of stones represents each layer of the canyon.  Colter was a female architect and designed in the early 20’s and designed many landmark buildings many of which were here at the Grand Canyon; Hopi House, The Lookout, Hermit’s Rest, Phantom Ranch and the Desert View Lookout.

   
    
   
These are some of her works.

We were privileged to be able to see the last show of the season by the Navajo and the Hopi Tribes.

  She is doing a butterfly dance.

  He is doing a dance to honor the Navajo Code Talkers.  His Grandfather was a Code Talker during World War II.

  He is doing a Hoop Dance from the Hopi Tribe.   At one time he was dancing with all the hoops you see in the picture and never missed a step.

   

 And before we left the Grand Canyon I adopted a Lion.  It was well worth it to know that every cent went to help with the population of Mountain Lions.  If only I could have brought him home!

After a very busy and long day we boarded the train to head back to Williams.  The ride back was two and half hours.  We only thought we would get to rest or maybe even sleep on the way back but there was just too much going on for that.  First we had a fiddler come by and serenade us. 

      
 
And then we had a gang of bandits hop on the train and proceed to rob everybody!

  
And then the Sheriff comes on board to try and catch these train robbers

  
After all of this we shared a champagne toast that we survived!

Back in Williams, Arizona and checked into the Grand Canyon Hotel.  Supper and a little walk around the resort before we both are ready to call it another wonderful day with lots of memories for a lifetime.

Since I had to give an abbreviated post of yesterday, I will try to make up for it today.  

The Sunset tour was awesome.  Going this time of year as been a bonus for us.  The weather has  been wonderful and the number of tourist are a lot smaller, making for smaller groups.  The guides are more lenient  and seem to take more time to show you more.  We made three stops at various points to view the canyon as the sun was going down, leaving the best for last.  Our last stop was a point in the canyon that would give you a 360 degree view alowing the sun to hit most of the canyon for a beautiful show of color.

   
  
    
    
    
            

 
Pictures and words are not enough.  Somethings are just indescribable and must be seen to behold.

We returned to Maswik lodge and our room.  We were told that it was somewhat rustic and was fairly old.  I was pleasently surprised when I opened the door to our room which was in the Pinyon Pine Cabin.

   
 
With the nights getting down to 38 degrees, we both slept like a rock.  I don’t assume that all the hiking and walking all day had anything to do with it either.

With our first night at the Grand Canyon Hotel in Williams and then the train ride and a night in the lodge at the Canyon and then back to Williams for a night, we had to do some creative shuffling of luggage to not be carring everything we brought for two weeks.  The Grand Canyon Railway did a heck of a job keeping everything straight and in order.  When we got up we checked out of the Hotel in Williams, left out luggage in our room, boarded the train and forgot about it.  When we arrived at the lodge our luggage was in our room waiting on us.  When we got up this moring, we got ready and left our luggage in our room again, checked out and then went on another tour, forgeting about the luggage and not having to worry about it.  When we checked back in at Williams our luggage was in our room.  I could not have asked for a more smooth operation.  

When we left our lodge room and went for breakfast this is what accompanied us enjoying their breakfast too.   

    
 
People didn’t seem to bother the elk, they came and went as they wanted.  Like the guides said it is their home we are only visiting here.  They did warn you to beware of the Bull Elks because it was rutting season and they could unexpectedly charge at you.  Warning heard…I stayed behind things and snuck my pictures.

After breakfast we loaded up for a morning Desert View Tour, taking us to another part of the Canyon that we hadn’t seen yet.

   
  
After this tour we went back to the Canyon Village.

I will start the afternoon in another post.

We are staying tonight in the Grand Canyon and remote as it is, internet is sketchy at best.  The only place I could find wifi was in the sports bar, you know Greg is crying, having to set here watching football while I blog.  But with my glass of zinfandel I will attempt to describe the day.  We started out at the Grand Canyon Railway with a western shoot out. 

 
The gang arrived in the town because “MA” had gotten herself arrested the night before and the boys were without money and were hungry.  Slick decides to hustle a tourist with a card game for some money.  Five aces win and a shoot out insues because someone has to be cheating.  In the end they all die except for the Sheriff.  It was a fun way to start the morning before we boarded the train.  Greg was like a kid, giddy with boarding and riding on a train.  Kind of reminded me of Sheldon on Big Bang Theory.  

We had dome seats which meant we had a 360 degree view of the ride out to the canyon.

  
The ride was two and half hours from Williams to the Grand Canyon and we were serenaded by a singing cowboy Cody.  

  
Once we arrived at the canyon we boarded a bus to begin our Southern Rim tour.  We had several stops along the way to take pictures…which I did!

   
        
    
 
I was amazed that you could get so close to the edge.  And I did.  I dont know what I expected or if I even had an idea. But the Grand  Canyon is beyond explanation.  The vastness of it is overwhelming evidence of a Higher being, a powerful  and  mighty God.

Due to the upload being so  slow, I will post the  sunset tomorrow.

I have been amazed at the breathtaking scenery and landscape.  I have been around the world but had never been out west.  New Mexico and Arizona have surpased  my imagination.   

    
    
    
   

 The Painted Desert with its earthy colors layered in sheets of rocks.  I’ve seen pictures and even movies but seeing it for real is undescribable. 

   
   
The Petrified Forest was amazing too.  I have seen petrified wood before but I guess this wood was special or something,  the quartz and other gemstone like colors were so vivid.  The Forest went on for miles.  We literally drove 40 miles through the forest which ironically only had the petrified trees in it and no other trees.

  
    
    

We took advantage of every  stop we saw along the way, checking out museums and tourist traps, as they  maybe. Yellow Horse ‘s buriel site, a museum dedicated to the Navajo Code Talkers,  gift shops filled with Indian craafts.  One stop in particular  was in  Winslow, Arizona.  

    
    
Most people my age will get this.  It is from an Eagle’s song “Take it Easy”

 Well I’m a runnin’ down the road try’n to loosen my load

I’ve got seven women on my mind

Four that want to own me, two that want to stone me

One says she’s a friend of mine

Take it easy, take it easy

Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy

Lighten up while you still can

Don’t even try to understand

Just find a place to make your stand, and take it easy

Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona

Such a fine sight to see

It’s a girl my Lord in a flat-bed Ford

Slowin’ down to take a look at me

Come on, baby, don’t say maybe

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me

We may lose and we may win, though we will never be here again

So open up I’m climbin’ in, so take it easy

Well, I’m a runnin’ down the road tryin’ to loosen my load

Got a world of trouble on my mind

Lookin’ for a lover who won’t blow my cover, she’s so hard to find

Take it easy, take it easy

Don’t let the sound of your own wheels make you crazy

Come on baby, don’t say maybe

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
Winslow is not that large of a town, in fact it is pretty small, but we had to drive around twice before we found the “corner”  But we found it and I am so glad we did.  Thanks for taking the time to find this for me Greg.
We next went looking for the Meteor Crater.  This was something Greg wanted to see so nothing was going to stop us now.

  
  
What should have only taken four to five hours at the most to go from Albuquerque to Williams took us all day, but what a day it was.  And look at all the things we saw.

Finally by sunset we had made it to Williams, Arizona and the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. 

  
Super nice place, this is the lobby.  The “resort” consist of the hotel, the depot, the restaurant, and two  gift shops,  along with pools and a gym..
We leave early in the morning on the train to the Grand Canyon..  We stay the night in the  canyon  so “if” internet is  available  will determine if I get to post  tomorrow or not..

This place deserves a post all it’s own.  I had searched for a nice place for supper and with the aid of my app “Poynt” found a resturant listed as Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse.  We plugged the address into the GPS and headed out.  When we arrived at the address, or so says the GPS, there was no resturant.  We made a block and tried again.  Nothing. Not wanting to give up, I picked up the phone and called to perhaps ask for directions.  They answered and low and behold we were in the right place.  Hidden Valley was right.  He instructed us to the double black doors with a red light above it.  He also instructed that we would need a password after we knocked on the door.  Seriously?  What had we gotten ourselves into?  Greg and I proceed to the door and knocked, a little window in the door opens and a gentleman with a heavy Jersey accent ask for a password….what the heck.  The he asks if we are cops or wearing a wire?  Curosity has taken over the hunger and I can’t wait to see what is in store.  We enter a dark small room with a desk and walls of books…that’s it…nothing else.  This gentleman then starts giving us the fifth degree about secrecy and minding our own business and how all weapons had to be checked at the desk of which he taps with a baseball bat as he talks.  This is crazy.  But we agree to his terms and carry  on.  He opens a bookcase and we are taken to our table.  Once inside and seated, looking around I see that this is a beautiful hidden gem of a place.  The artwork is unbelievable and the subject matter is Mobs, Mafia, Gangsters and prohibition…It’s a Speakeasy.  The waitstaff is amazing as they carry out the ambience of the place.  The atmosphere aside, the food was melt in your mouth delicious.  

 
I enjoyed a Delmonico Steak, medium rare, fresh green beans pan roasted in garlic, and dirty mashed potatoes.  Greg had a Ribeye, medium, baked potato and fresh green beans also.  Words can not describe how good this meal was. It was culinary perfection.  Accompanied by a bottle of Pinot Grigio, this was the perfect meal.  

To get the best idea of what this was all about go to http://www.the hiddensteakhouse.com or go to Vernon’s Speakeasy on Facebook and check out the video. 

    
    
 

  

Plans change in a blink or with a phone call.  Plans were to go hot air ballooning today, but a call from the company told us that due to weather we would have to change our plans.  Disappointed but undertanding, new plans were developed.  We headed out to the Petroglyph National Monument. This turned into a fun physical adventure, where I climbed three trails up the side of the rocky mountains. 

  
    
  
  
    
After exploring everything we decided next on our agenda was to check out Old Town Albuquerque.  

  
Old Town was fun and informative.  Did you know that the blue/turquoise that is used so much in the southwest is to ward off evil spirits?  And the hanging peppers are a sign of friendliness and hospitality?  We went from shop to shop enjoying all the silver and turquoise, pottery and all types of indian crafts.  

We made our way to the information desk and bought two tickets for the trolley. The trolley took us all through Old Town, Museum Row, Downtown, Nob Hill, the Railyards and through the Bio Park.  Our tour guides pointed out a lot of interesting facts about Albuquerque and showed up many famous points even if we didn’t know they were famous.  Most were to do with the hit show Breaking Bad which is filmed in Albuquerque.  Others were how Hollywood has everyone snowed.  Scenes were shown on a monitor and then he would point out the same exact spot or house where the scene was filmed.  The movies could be set any number of towns, none of which were Albuquerque.  Although Greg and I haven’t seen Breaking Bad (yet) these houses may look familiar to anyone who does.

    
Albuquerque is a really nice city. Clean.  Friendly.  Well laid out.  The landscape and vista are awe inspiring.  Food is amazing.  Hospitality is spot on.  The city is very diversified. Museums, Cultural Centers, Theatres.  An  aquarium and Botanical gardens, a zoo and biopark. The University of New Mexico and Kirtland Air Force Base.  I have been totally impressed with this city.

Day three begins with Night two….and the thunder and lightening storm. The primary plans for the day are to travel to Albuqueque.  Any fun and excitement that can be thrown in, is always good.  I took a couple of minutes to walk around the Big Texan and take a few pictures in the day light.

   
    
    
    
    
 
Once we checked out and loaded up, we head west again.  With the first stop being only 10 miles down the road, it shouldn’t be that hard, right?  Wrong!  The instructions given to us by the receptionist was take exit 60 on I40 onto Arnot Road.  You can’t miss the Cadillac Ranch she said!  We even had a can of spray paint so we were prepared to see the CARS!   So we are trucking right along and the miles are clicking by. I have read the directions several times so there shouldn’t be any problems… At 70 MPH Exit 60 is coming up quick. So what should I do?  I scream at Greg “Exit..Exit”. Taking more than just his lane and part of the exit he barely makes it.  He then proceeds to tell me that I told him Exit 40!!!  No, Dear … Exit 60 Interstate 40!  So now we are off the interstate but we don’t see the Cadillac Ranch anywhere, staying on the bypass road we travel over two miles looking for these CARS.  Finally in despration we turn around and try one more time before giving up. There it is…Cadillac Ranch! 

 
But remember that rain storm last night?  It left the field a total mud bog.  You had to walk about 200 yards to get out to them.  Our shoes were caked with mud and with each step a new layer was added, weighing tons.  We made it as close as we could without totally getting ankle deep.  I got a couple pictures and was able to say that I was there, but we had to forgo the spray painting.  I donated my can to the cause and maybe somebody someday will paint their name on the cadillacs in Cadillac Ranch!

  
I did find my name already painted on the road so what the heck, I took a picture of it instead!

Greg’s nerves were back under control and we headed down the road again. Next stop New Mexico!

We try to get on Route 66 as much as we can, but a lot of times it is just taking an exit, drive through the town and then get back on the interstate until the next exit.  

   
  

The old motels with neon and 50’s deco signs were so neat, even if they were taken through the moon roof during a rain storm!  What I do for some pictures!
 But not without pelting rain, thunder and lightening.  

   
New Mexico State Line

  
We try to stop at each states Information Centers and pick up brochures, coupons and information about the areas we plan to visit. And sure enough the receptionist told us we had to stop at the truck stop up the road.  

We did! 

    
    
    
 In the truck stop is a free car museum, a cool 50’s soda shop and a gift store!  The truck stops, so far, out West are way cooler than the ones back home.

We finally make it to Albuqueque and the rain seems to be letting up some.  We are staying two nights at the Hotel Cascada, An Urban Resort.  I found it by researching the web.  I was looking for hotels/motels that were not part of a chain and carbon copies of every room you have ever stayed in.  I found it with this one. 

    
   
These last two pictures are right out side of our room in the atrium.  Waterfalls and goldfish…how cool?
As you may have noticed we skipped breakfast and lunch.  The last couple of days was just too much heavy eating for both of us.  So we opted for a late lunch – early supper and eat just one meal.  Greg found the resturant this time.  Only stipulation is it can’t be a chain resturant or fast food.  We went to Duran Station.  Another great find.  It’s a remodeled old fire station, hence the name Duran Station and served mexican cusine.  Salsa and chips are complimentary and I  know why….it’s so hot you order a ton a beer to cool your mouth off.  Food was good and service was great, could be that we were the only ones there at this odd hour.

After eating we drove around Albuqueque and made our way out to Kirtland Air Force Base.  Greg had been at Kirtland before and wanted to see if he could remember anything….NOT. And then he wants me to take pictures!  This is a secured base housing nuclear weapons…really, photos, I think he was trying to get me sent to the Brig!!!

Here’s your picture Greg Courington

  

We started the morning at the Stafford Air and Space Museum. I have been to several air and space museums with Greg being retired Air Force but this one was really good. Seems Thomas Stafford from Weatherford, Oklahoma was one of the Apollo and Gemini Astronauts.  I believe he saved everything he ever touched, but it made for a really interesting museum. 

  
Greg really got into all the planes and Air Force and enjoyed telling me all about it!

  
    
  And then I had some fun with the props they had available.   Haven’t you ever wanted to be an astronaut?  For a minute I was!

    
We left Weatherford and proceeded along Route 66 {the best we could}.  

    
Our next stop was the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma. 

  
    
    
  
This museum was a lot of fun.  It covered Route 66 through the decades.  You move from room to room – decade to decade, including everything from cars to music.

The receptionist here recommended Jiggs Barbeque as an authentic unique Route 66 roadside stop.  So off we go to find Jiggs.

    We found it and the special of the day was ribs!  Two plates with trimmings and drinks!  We should have shared.  Most of this ended up in a to go box and was given to a homeless man.  I told Greg we needed to have found someone in need with a dog so the dog could have enjoyed the bones.  Maybe he had a dog somewhere.  Totally stuffed we headed west to see what was next. 
Signs along the way told us that the National Route 66 Musuem is just ahead in Elk City, who knew…we thought we had went to the Route 66 Museum.  Seems there is just about one Route 66 museum in every town.  Not to be left out we head to the National Museum.  Wow  it was really nice, not only did it cover Route 66 but the National Transportation Museum, Old Town Museum, Farm and Ranch Museum and a Blacksmith Musuem.  Glad it was this big because we defiantly needed to do some walking off of lunch.  

 
   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
The detail that was taken in setting up this village was awesome.  Come to find out Jiggs of the barbeque place back up the road, well he was a rodeo champion and one of the founders of the National Rodeo Association.  Who Knew!

Back on the road and heading to Texas, Oklahoma in our rearview mirror.

    
Nothing for a far as you can see.  I have officially seen the Prairie now!  Makes you wonder how they (the pioneers in covered wagons) did this.  You know it took them forever to cross these prairies and not knowing how long it would take….this would drive me crazy!  Good thing we had a GPS that would tell us exactly when we would arrive where!  
Amarillo, Texas

We are staying at the Big Texan Motel.  Yes, another iconic Route 66 stop along the way! The Receptionist was very sweet and cute.  She asked if we had a horse that we needed to keep in a stall!  I told her I had a husband, would that work?  She infomed me that only horses could stay in the Horse Hotel.  I told her that was fine because he was a horse’s ass sometimes!  She said you wouldn’t believe how many times women have tried to send their husbands to the horse barn!  Well if the horse barn is comparable to our “barn”  I wouldn’t mind staying there myself.

    
    
  
Rough wood walls, rustic furniture, suede bedspreads, and wooden shutters on the windows.  Every aspect of the place was “westernized”.  I loved all the special touches that were added.
Across the parking lot was the Big Texas Steakhouse.  So after wondering around town a bit we moseyed on over to the kitchen for some vitals! 

•   After all that food and our full day, my partner and I decided to throw in the blanket and call it a day.