ZR-1 Road Trip 2014 - California or Bust

[QB93Z]

On Sunday afternoon, we had scheduled to take an airplane flight around the Grand Canyon, but high winds cancelled all flights.

We decided to do some more rim overlook viewing. Since all of our time had been spent on the overlooks east of the Visitors Center, we chose to hike along Hermits Rest Trail to see the areas of the Canyon west of the Lodges. The Hermits Rest Road is not open to private vehicles, the the only options are to hike or take the shuttle busses from stop to stop.

Here is a nice view of the Rim Lodges. On the left is the Tovar Hotel which was built in 1907 and remodeled in 2005. To the right are the other modern lodges and the restaurants and shops. On the right, the start of Bright Angel Trail can be seen:



From the Hermits Rest Trail overlooks, the Colorado River can be seen in many places:




This small tree is clinging to the rocks above about a 1,500 foot cliff:




Some more evening views of the Canyon:



As the sun set, the shadows on the rocks, cliffs, and plateaus changed dramatically. Here is a nice silhouette of a cat that was visible for only a few minutes:




As sunset neared, the colors of the rocks faded and the shapes became more pronounced:



continued...

[QB93Z]

After the sun had set we walked back to the parking lot and found a nice view of the ZR-1 with a bright moon above it:



Here is nifty silhouette photo of Lyndi and I bidding farewell to the Grand Canyon:



Jim

[GOLDCYLON]

ALCON. Suggest Famous Daves BBQ 1011 N Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201. Close to Jim and the BBQ is the best AZ has to offer. leave work at 1500 maybe 1600 or 1700 for dinner?

[QB93Z]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

ALCON. Suggest Famous Daves BBQ 1011 N Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201. Close to Jim and the BBQ is the best AZ has to offer. leave work at 1500 maybe 1600 or 1700 for dinner?

Works for me. I will be there at 1600, looking forward to meeting you guys.

Jim

[PhillipsLT5]

As usual great pics, PM sent

[scottfab]

Couldn't help myself. Mule had the wrong branding.

[QB93Z]

On Monday morning, the wind had died down and we were able to get a tour flight around the Grand Canyon. There are many different air tour companies that offer airplane or helicopter sight seeing flights. They are all private groups, the National Park Service does not operate any air craft at the Grand Canyon. The flight paths around the canyon are specified by the NPS to balance between protecting the serenity of the Grand Canyon and also allowing air tours.

Even from the air, it is still hard to understand the scale of the canyon. It is so large and there is so much variety of landscapes that every time you look you see something new.

Over the east end of the canyon we got a good view of the Little Colorado River, a tributary of the Colorado:






The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 1,000 feet higher than the South Rim, is cooler, and has harsher weather. There was still snow on the ground in some places. Here are some views of the canyon formation looking toward the North Rim:






Here is a view looking west, of the Colorado River deep in the Canyon:




As we returned to the airport I got a picture of the YELLOWZ:




After our air tour, we left the Grand Canyon and drove south to Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona.

Jim

[QB93Z]

When we arrived in Mesa, Arizona, a package was waiting containing a new blower motor, thanks to my son Roger. On Tuesday morning, I replaced the blower and a burned out headlight:







It was a simple job. As GOLDCYLON pointed out, I started by removing all the screws holding the after section of the wheel well. Then is was easy to remove the old blower and replace it.

It is obvious from the condition of the engine bay, the YELLOWZ has seen some hard miles. But it is running great with no other problems.

Jim

[GOLDCYLON]

its a one beer job lol. See you at 4pm ish. Pics required and Phil will be there at 5pm. Burnt Ends consumed there after and a beer or two. It will be hard to not spot the white daily driver. Killshots could not make it. GC

[Jagdpanzer]

Jim,
I see you are still running those all weather mud and snow tires you bought just before the Alaska trip.