Day 21 – Star Gazing At The Grand Canyon

We head out early morning before we catch major heat and we set out for Grand Canyon National Park. Our first stop today was at Calico’s in Kingman, Arizona, for some food. It’s late in the morning so it’s more like brunch at this point. We eat and head out.

  
We make it to 64, which is right off 40 and take that north towards Grand Canyon. We stop in Tusayan because mine and Marco’s butts were hurting from sitting for too long. Since we were stopped already we grab a bite and while finishing up our food it starts drizzling. We quickly head up the mountain into the park and get to Mather Campground. 

  
We hadn’t made a reservation because we haven’t had set destinations each day and have been kind of going with the flow. Marco had suggested we reserve it in the morning. I figured it was September and a week day so we should be alright. Well what I didn’t realize was it was Friday of Labor Day weekend. All campground had already been booked and everything was full by the time we got there. We were bummed out and everything pointed to us having to leave the park area to stay the night.

  
Before we head out of the park we decide to go up to the Canyon to get a preview of what we’d see tomorrow. We walk around in amazement of this wonder and snap some photos and video before getting back to our bikes. There were some hotels right there and we decide to give it a shot and ask about availability. At this point the worst thing they could say is no and we’d be exactly where we were anyway. Lo and behold they had one room available and at a discounted rate because the room had no AC. We take it!

  
We settle in and get ready for the night before heading back out to see the sun set over the canyon and catch some stars. We walked around and star gazed until about midnight. It was one of the most beautiful views. The sky was vast with stars and so clear that we could see the thunderstorm happening across on the other side of the canyon.

  
After catching some of the moonlight we head back to the room and call it a night. It’s pretty late and we know tomorrow’s ride is going to suck but we’re going to try and make it into New Mexico.