Blogs we like

Note – Again, this is yesterday’s post as I couldn’t find a net connection.

Just another little whinge to start us off folks, the petty beaurcracy and ID craze is starting to do my nut in. About 10 of us from the hostel went out and they wouldn’t let me and another Dutch lad (Jorma, who I’m due to meet up with in Sin City) because “Driving licenses are not an acceptable form of identification for purchasing alcohol in the state of Arizona”, which is funny because I’d already used it several times in Arizona for that very purpose.

So we had to nip back to the hostel to pick up our passports. Many of you will know why I prefer not to take my passport out when I’m due to be intoxicated, think Finland. The daft bit is that 1 Belgian lad who was underage (and looked it) got in fine with someone else’s passport which looked nothing like him. This country.

I stand by my statement that this is the best hostel I’ve stayed at. Great location, good facillities, cheap, brekkie included and interesting people. There appears to be some sort of Spanish commune hippy troop staying at the moment, a very unusual looking crowd indeed.

The journey to the Grand Canyon was enjoyable. Driving (with cruise control) through beautiful forestry with my shades on while listening to Paul Simon – ‘Diamonds on the soles of her shoes’ (tune!) on the radio.

Spectacular is the only word for the canyon itself, I’ve never taken so many pictures. As per usual though I didn’t have nearly enough time. I explored most of the west side of the South Rim but I barely started on the east side, where some of the trails get you really close to the Colorado River. I was also gutted that I didn’t stay for sunset but with another 300 miles in front of me I had to roll y’all. I shall return.

I’m currently in a proper American trucker cafe having nipped off Interstate 40 for a wee rest. There’s about 17 things on the menu I could easily go for but I’ve opted for the chicken parmesan. It comes with garlic bread (though it’s just turned up and it’s actually fried bread!), spaghetti bolognese and a trip to the soup and salad bar. Ain’t I a lucky boy.

It was pretty ‘angin’ really apart from the salad, but job done eh. Back on the road.

Going over the Hoover Dam was cool, an amazing structure. I’d have like to have done it during the daytime to get a real feel for the scale but it has other qualities at the night anyway.

Okay, hello Vegas. What’s this valet parking malarkey about? I’ve driven 700+ miles and I have to hand the keys over to someone else for the last 20 metres. Oh well, when in Rome.

BTW 130 mph is my new record. Roman style roads just over the Nevada state border!