When we last left off, we had just crossed the Hoover Dam:

 

Next up is a four-hour drive through some scenic (though creepily desolate as in they filmed "The Hitcher" in places like this) areas. It didn't help that instead of deer crossing signs (with a graceful little deer silhouette leaping), they had ELK and RAM signs... I had visions of our rental car being vaporized:

 

 

 

 

The entrance is on the other side of that mountain:

 

We arrive at the Maswik Lodge on the South Rim - a humble but cute little place to stay that's in walking distance from the trails and amenities (aka El Tovar hotel's bar):

 

The very first photo I took. Folks, I'm a city boy and I'm one of the least outdoorsy people I know - I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to the Grand Canyon - my photos can't, nor anyone's photos for that matter, do this justice. I posted a few larger shots just to try to convey the magnitude:

 

 

 

There were a lot of foreign tourists:

 

 

 

That would be a condor:

 

 

Maybe I'm really warped but the image on this sign made me laugh:

 

The next thing I know - about 15 feet away from us, a trio of elk are out and about - maybe on a beer run? These things were HUGE:

 

 

 

 

Oooh... ahhh... it was mostly a full moon and it was amazing to see the barely visible canyon (not too mention stars without light pollution):

 

The next morning, we step out on the balcony for coffee - and another elk greets us - this time, a baby:

 

My partner wanted to go on the Bright Angel trail into the Canyon. I reluctantly agreed... no, we didn't ride the mules, I was nervous enough.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, the mules took up a lot of the trail as they went by. They also left droppings which made the narrow, loose-graveled trail even more treacherous. My partner was especially tolerant of my tendency to verbalize when I get nervous. It didn't help that I didn't wear hiking boots - I don't OWN hiking boots, and by the way - if you happen to be a chubby, granola-sucking, unshaven-legged skank and you come across someone who is visibly uncomfortable on a trail, you REALLY don't need to say something like "you don't have the right shoes for this!" because 1. it doesn't help, 2. it's obvious, and 3. I doubt you have the right shoes for most places that offer running water, you fat miserable COW!!!

 

 

Ahem, needless to say it was time to head to our next destination - Scottsdale. Here's a huge mountain in the Flagstaff area:

 

Yes indeed, we got our kicks (well okay, a tank of gas) on Route 66, in Flagstaff, Arizona ("... don't forget Winona")

 

 

Unfortunately we didn't have to stop in Sedona proper, but there was a rest area where we got a peek of the red rock:

 

And then I got a peek of this sign and decided it was time to bail (we simply don't have things like this in Cleveland - and I like it that way):

 

Traffic heading north out of Phoenix was heavy - everyone wanted to escape the heat for the holiday weekend:

 

Um, a dust devil? Ooookay.... 

 

Getting close to Scottsdale, I can see Camelback Mountain:

 

We arrive at the Mondrian - a funky (if not odd) hotel:

 

 

A little exploring of the Scottsdale area:

 

We stopped at the Sugar Bowl for desserts - apparently the creator of the "Family Circus" cartoon strip is a huge fan:

 

 

Another ultra-modern hotel - the Valley Ho:

 

With the heat, and being a Friday - parts of Scottsdale were pretty empty. Thursday nights during Art Walks - it's much more lively:

 

 

Back to the Mondrian - I wanted to stuff this in my carry-on bag but it was about 4 feet tall.

 

The Red Bar at Mondrian:

 

 

But it was time to go, one last look at the mountains on the way to the airport:

 

Downtown Phoenix:

 

Camelback Mountain and some smog :-(

 

Downtown Phoenix in the distance:

 

Ahh, a proper body of water!!!

 

We fly over Elyria (pop. 55Kish), in the Cleveland metro:

 

Getting close to the airport, the Great Northern Mall area of North Olmsted:

 

And back home - hope you enjoyed!

Great photos! 

 

I love the mondrian hotel.  I love Morgan's hotels.  One of the rooms in my house was inspired by the cabana.

yup

Only one shot of Phoenix downtown?  I kinda wish you spend some time there and give up more pics of it.  There is hardly any Phoenix downtown pics on the skyscrapercity.com site.  *Sighs*

Mondrian Hotel looks very nice.  What is the typical rate?

I want to say rooms go anywhere from $160ish on up but my partner took care of that so I can't say for certain. If you need a downtown Phoenix fix (I don't participate on skyscrapercity.com, I much prefer skyscraperpage's forum)- I took some photos during my visit last year. It's got a long ways to go but they're at least doing the right thing with light rail and some condo construction:

 

 

 

 

 

Mondrian Hotel looks very nice.  What is the typical rate?

 

depends on the season.  Its only been open about six months.  When I was there it was about $400 a night.

 

Only one shot of Phoenix downtown?  I kinda wish you spend some time there and give up more pics of it.  There is hardly any Phoenix downtown pics on the skyscrapercity.com site.  *Sighs*

Why?  The area is architecturally bland.

Fantastic...I found the large images of the Grand Canyon to be particularly pleasing.  Very nice.

nice pics. the grand canyon is of course stunning.

 

the mondrian is interesting, if not for $400 per night (yikes). can ya just go in for a drink or something?

 

otherwise, i see nothing here to change my opinion that phoenix and las vegas continue to be two of the most depressing big cities in america.

Awesome photos of the canyon and wildlife. 

Thank you for sharing!  You took almost the same trip my partner and I took a few years ago.  Time in Vegas with his parents, over the Hoover Dam, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Mexico, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, and a great little town called Jerome.  Jerome is an old silver mining town that is very artsy and funky perched atop a mountain.  Lots of one way streets that dead end in a cliff.  Loved it! I have to say that trip is one I would do again.