Milestone Surprise Mystery Trip (Part 2)

The drive from the entrance of the Park to the Visitors Center at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon seemed like 40 miles.  When I checked the distance for this posting, the distance was actually 43.6 miles. Wow!

Last year, we read that there was an opportunity for senior citizens to purchase a lifetime pass to The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for $10.  I purchased it because I do love visiting the Cabrillo National Monument.  From its vantage point, you can photograph the City of San Diego and  the beautiful views of the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean. When we arrived at the entrance to the Grand Canyon, I was able to use my pass.

On our drive, we saw a herd of about 75 to 100 bison traversing the beautiful landscape. The ladies oohed and aahed over the babies.

 
After our 43.6 mile drive, we came to the Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim. The views were amazing. We milled through the gift shop and proceeded to have lunch at the Lodge. The restaurant had large picture windows so we could enjoy some of the views before we ventured outside.

After we were finished with lunch, we started to look around. The views were amazing. In the lodge, I spotted a floor model radio from the 1930s. It looked just like the one that my parents kept in the basement. As a 10 or 11 year old, I would sit next to it, turning the dial to listen to ham radio operators and ship-to-shore conversations. While this radio was just a piece of memorabilia at the Lodge, it was quite a 'blast from the past' for me.

Then we went to the veranda to see the views. As my eyes took in the depth and breadth of the Canyon, I felt so grateful to behold this awesome sight.

             

At my daughter's request, I refrained from climbing down the steps, shown at the left.

 As you can see, the Grand Canyon seems overwhelming. Everywhere you turned, there was another aspect to the view. I now understand why my friends were so impressed and why tourists flock there, staying in the surrounding cabins.There were people sitting on the veranda, just taking it all in. I've read that only 10% of the Grand Canyon visitors go to the North Rim. It's certainly worth seeing.

I'm so grateful to the planners of this wonderful surprise. It was on my 'bucket list.' So, check ...  Now, I'll just adjust my listing to add the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

After a long day, we were happy to return to The Kanab El Pueblo Townhome and just relax. I highly recommend this Airbnb. As I said on my previous post, this townhome was well equipped with everything you'd need, but after this amazing afternoon, we ordered in.

We chose the Peekaboo Canyon Woodfired Kitchen. My daughter had to drive over to pick up our order, but it was a short distance. The pizzas we chose to share were "Peekaboo Pear" and "Fuhgeddaboudit" with the "Scarlett" salad.  My son-in-law chose the lattkes. We, ladies, ordered cheese cake as well. The food as very good. After everyone retired for the night, I saw the three pieces of cheese cake, each with different toppings in the refrigerator. We had eaten so well, we forgot about the cake.Well, as my eldest daughter worked on a paper for college, I was able to eat a half of one piece of the cheesecake. I also highly recommend this restaurant in Kanab, Utah.

On the fourth and last day of our trip, we returned to Las Vegas to eat at the Bacchanal Buffet in Caesars Palace. The restaurant was very crowded with many on line waiting their turn to dine. The buffet was very large, with many food choices.  I enjoyed the lobster tails and a few items that caught my eye. The desert area was brimming with enticing selections.

While the family went to the Forum for the car, my daughter gave me some more money to use in the slots. Lost that. As we waited, we then played some singles. Lo and behold, I started to win a few dollars. Had no time to even turn the ticket in. The family had arrived at Caesars to take us home.

With a full day, we headed back to San Diego.  My wonderful 'Birthday Mystery Trip' will be remembered for long time, at least until my next big birthday, when who knows where I will go. Seriously, I had a wonderful time ... something I never expected and will always treasure.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

Please feel free to share a comment

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle)

Milestone Surprise Mystery Trip

My youngest daughter gave me a poem.

You're ## now, an adventure awaits!
So pack you bags and don't be late
Pickup time is 7:30
Your laundry's done, so nothing's dirty!

You'll need a hat, and sunscreen too
A swimsuit, shorts and walking shoes
Don't forget to bring something pretty,
Expect a lively night out in a city!

Be prepared for some time in the car
It may be short or it may be far
Your camera is needed for things you might see
But don't pack your money, your coffee's on me!

With four days to play, there's lots to do.
Maybe we'll hit a bucket list item or two.
Remember now, this is a birthday surprise
So, don't ask questions and don't ask why!

## is big - it's time to celebrate!
Let's go have some fun.  It's gonna be great!

On an early San Diego Thursday morning, a black van pulled up with my daughter's husband at the wheel and the family within.  They added my suitcase to theirs in the back of the van and off we went.  We stopped for coffee and snacks at Starbucks, a usual practice for every long drive we take. We drove up the (Route) '15' for hours, but I was advised to refrain from any questions, so I kept them to myself.  As we reached Barstow, CA, I had strong suspicions.  We were going to Las Vegas!  I kept this observation to myself as I had been advised in the poem.

After getting settled in an MGM Timeshare, my daughter and granddaughter had to go to get something from the van.  My son-in-law, grandson and I waited and waited.  Now we were all getting hungry.  Finally, they returned.  My daughter told me that she had decided I should have my own room.  So, she took me to another floor, with my granddaughter toting my suitcase.  As she opened the door, we felt an actual 'Whooosh' as the curtains on the balcony flew open.  Thinking I would be alone in the suite, I rushed to the bathroom to check that no one was in the room ... suspicious me.  I always check a hotel room when I stay alone.  The bathroom was fine, but as I passed the closet I opened it to find a suitcase and a cane.  I called to my daughter who had already reached the balcony, "There's someone already in this room.  There's a suitcase and a cane in the closet. They made a mistake."  My daughter, ignoring my protestations, said, "Mom, come look at the view."  I reluctantly joined her, went out on the balcony and there stood my eldest daughter from New York ... another big surprise.  The ladies had driven to the airport to pick her up ... thus, our long wait.  Still a wonderful surprise.

Now, we could go to dinner.  We had hoped to try the Wicked Spoon in the Cosmopolitan on the strip.  But, we didn't have enough time to enjoy the buffet and see the show my New York daughter had planned.  So we ate in a nearby restaurant, a type of supper club.  Then, on to the WOW show at Circus, Circus. Very enjoyable. 

The next morning, we left the timeshare and returned to the Wicked Spoon and enjoyed a wonderful buffet.  We returned to Circus Circus where the children rode the Roller Coaster and spent some time in the arcade.  After wondering through some Casinos and making them rich with the money supplied to me, we headed out again.  A quick stop at In-N-Out Burger as we left Las Vegas was just right.

Fredonia Arizona

We drove for the longest time.  As the sun dipped, we drove through enormous canyons of rock.  My granddaughter was the navigator.  I watched out the window and saw a small road sign, "Entering Utah" Then a short while later, I'd see a sign, "Entering Arizona."  This happened several times.  Now, where were we really going?  Finally, we drove through a town called Kanab, Utah.  Life!!!

  














As our navigator directed, we arrived at our airbnb, The Kanab El Pueblo Townhome. I was able to glimpse at some huge red hills, or perhaps, mesas.  The two-story 3 bedroom airbnb was lovely and proved to be very inviting and comfortable.  The townhouse was fully equipped with everything you would need, including cable access.  We were able to sign in to Netflix and watch a Jim Gaffigan comedy show later that evening.

As my New York daughter worked on her college paper, I found a small library in the upper hall.  One of the books was about the Lusitania.  I took it downstairs to read.  My grand-uncle worked on that ship that sailed the route to the United States and then, back to England.  During the return trip, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine off the coast of Ireland. That same night, my grandmother became concerned about her brother.  Early the same morning my grandmother sent my mother to town to request a Catholic Mass for my Grand-uncle Bartholomew.  Two days later he arrived at my mother's kitchen door.


Early Saturday morning, I met my youngest daughter in the kitchen.  She asked, "Mom, do you want to know what we have planned for the day?"  I responded, "Yes."  By that time, the other daughter was standing there with her phone.  They told me that we were going to the Grand Canyon, which was on my bucket list.  To catch the utter surprise on my face, my daughter took a photo of me half-awake.  I told her, "Don't show that to anyone."  No matter how old you get, you still have some pride.

Well, soon we were on our way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  They told me that they chose the North Rim because it was a shorter drive.  The drive took about an hour and a half to the entrance.

We drove a long way into the park to get to the Visitors Center.  The views there were so awesome, I will have to post them in the next blog.  This was a great vacation, with two more days to come, as you will see in my next post.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

Please feel free to share a comment

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle)