A Grand Escape
I recently had the opportunity to escape to The Grand
Canyon.
I live in Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon is about a four-hour
drive from here. That would not seem like it is so far that one would not
regularly just drive there… Except I have chosen to live a lifestyle that does
not include a vehicle. (That life-style-choice is a completely separate story,
and an entire blog in itself… which I may write one day.) So, Someplace that is
a four-hour drive is not such a quick get-away on foot.
I work at The Airport, McCarran international Airport in Las
Vegas, to be exact (LAS). This airport is huge, and has so many airlines coming
and going from all over the world. I actually work for Servisair, but am
contracted to work for WestJet Airline. Servisair handles WestJet among many
other airlines. One of those other airlines is Vision Airlines. Vision is a
seasonal operation, so when it resumed service in June of this year, I was
curious what it was. I had not yet seen one of these planes, just heard the
chatter on our work radios. I asked one of my managers about it one day, and
she informed me it flew daily charters to The Grand Canyon, as a day-trip. I
naturally assumed that any plane flying to The Grand Canyon must be a little
plane (as I call them “Puddle-jumpers”).
When I mentioned this, my boss said “Oh, no! They run a 737!” This
caught my attention. After a little more curiosity, I was informed that as an
employee we got special deals. She told me the price, and I was amazed. (The
perk and price are amazing! I will not post publicly what these are, but if any
wish to privately inquire, I might disclose it.) This was a Wed Evening as I
was leaving work. She told me which manager to inquire about booking a trip
with. I knew this was a great
opportunity, and wanted to jump on it!
Friday Morning I was onboard the Vision Air to The Grand Canyon.
To say I was flying blind was literal. Usually, any trip I
take anywhere, I do my homework, know what is totally involved, and am not just
going without knowing. I decided to make this a true adventure, and just show up, pay my minimal fee, board
the plane and be surprised.
I did do a quick Google-search of “Grand Canyon Airport/ Vision Air” just to
know the three-letter code for where I would be landing. (GCN) Beyond that, I did not
look up any details about Vision, or the tour. I wanted to be surprised. And I
was! Pleasantly, too!
Most of my friends expect to be surprised by my daily
adventures, and the things I discover, see, and post about. Often, I will tell
a little bit of my plans in advance, and even post as it is happening. This
time, other than a few close friends I saw on my way out of work Thursday
evening, I told no one, and made it a guessing-game online as to where I would
end-up on my Friday Adventure. I decided to utilize Snapchat, Facebook,
Foursquare, Instagram, and Tumblr. I started posting clues Thursday evening
(requesting those few who knew swear to
keep quiet… a major feat in itself!) I continued with the clues beginning Bright
and early Friday Morning. Here are a few
of the clues:
 |
I posted that I would find freedom,
But likely would not see this. |
 |
I Posted that where I was going,
there most defintely would be a breeze,
but likely would not see an Ocean. |
I First posted that my Adventure would include an Airplane. I posted a photo of the current weather at 4:31 am, (Blacking out the location) and it was 34 degrees at that time (farenheit), but would get up near 90 degrees.
Here are a couple of the other clues.
I knew I boarded the plane, still having no idea what to
expect, at 9:15 am. I arrived bright and early, so I could use the time to get coffee,
breakfast, and explore parts of the airport I had not yet previously seen.
Turns out, I arrived just as the agents were opening the check-in counter. I
was first to check-in! I also was thrilled to find out it was open-seating, so
we each could choose the seat we desired. Yay! Window with a view, please!
Here is the plane we will be flying on. Not at all tiny!
Turns out it is a 737-300, which seats about 120. Our flight this day would
only have 43. (Which is another reason they offer the perk to employees, so
they can help fill-the empty seats.) Most of the people on the flight are
tour-groups, and this is part of their Vegas Tour package they previously
purchased.
The flight from LAS to GCN is a short 30-minute flight. We flew
at 17,000 feet, for two reasons: First, the length of the trip does not allow a
much-higher cruising altitude. And Second: Since this is a sight-seeing tour,
we get great views during the flight. Upon Boarding, The Flight attendants told
me which side I might see Hoover Dam from. I took their advice. I have been to
Hoover Dam many times in my life, but never before seen it from the air. I was
excited to get this chance! Sure Enough, not long after we left Vegas, I could
see Boulder City, and Lake Mead in the distance.
As we flew closer, I totally
could see Hoover Dam and the Bypass Bridge! It was not easy to zoom-in, and
also get a clear shot while cruising past at nearly 200pmh and from 17,000
feet, but I managed to get some good ones!
It was not long after we passed the far-reaches of the many
fingers of Lake Mead that we could see the West and Southern end of The Grand
Canyon. … But this view we glimpsed as we came low to land was nothing compared
to what awaited our tour. In moments we were approaching The Grand Canyon
National Park Airport.
I was quite excited to see all the trees just feet below
us! (Since moving to Vegas, I have missed terribly the green of trees all over
the landscape.) The approach and landing were quite fast, since unlike a
city-airport, there is not miles of concrete jungle before the airport. It is a
tiny airport, with The Tiny Main Terminal resembling a mountain lodge,
A-frame-style that is a fitting match to the wilderness. After a short taxi, we
pulled alongside the terminal. Awaiting our arrival was The Grand Canyon
Airport Fire Department. Turns out they are the Ramp Crew, too! They stood
ramp-side, with their fingers in their ears as earplugs, until our plane’s jets
were shut off.
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If you look, those Three Men Are the Fire Dept...
And two of the three have their fingers in their ears.
This is The Main Terminal at GCN |
I found this quite comical, but also befitting for the
small-operation of this airport. As soon as the jets were silenced, they drove
the stair-truck planeside for us to deplane. Ahh… The Wonderful smell and feel
of the fresh air! The Fire Department was also playing the role of official “Welcome
and Greet” committee.
They hurried us inside The Terminal, But I of course
stopped to get a couple of pictures!
Once inside the Main Building, we each
were told to grab a wonderful sack-lunch (Included in the tour package), a
bottle of water, then scurried quickly onto our awaiting tour bus.
As soon as we were onboard the bus, we were off on the next
portion of the tour. The driver introduced himself, and gave a bit of his background,
and also introduced his co-tour-guide. The driver lives at The Grand Canyon,
and has driven tour busses there for 39 years. He has an incredible charm, and
gentle spirit. The Lady he introduced as
his co-tour-guide is the Japanese guide, since most of the people on these
tours are from Japan. They have worked together on this tour for ten years, he
giving his stories in English (plus assorted other phrases he’s learned in
other languages just for humor), She giving her stories in Japanese, and
occasionally a bit of English. As far as tour guides goes, this pair is
fantastic!
The bus is a very nice tour bus, with each seat a bit more
elevated than the one in front, so each person has views forward and out the
side windows. As we drive toward The Grand Canyon official Entrance, we are
informed of the history, the culture, the wildlife, and our expected itinerary.
Just outside of The Airport, we pass through the little town
of Tusayan. This li’l town seems to have everything you might expect. General Store, Two Steak
Houses with Saloons, Hotels, Motels, Trading Post, a movie-theater, … Even had
a McDonald’s and a Wendy’s! (The tour driver says this is the
Second-most-expensive McDonald’s in The U.S.!)
Not far beyond the town of Tusayan, is the main entrance to
The Park.
Shortly after entering The Park, we arrive at our first destination.
This is Mather Point, and Grand Canyon Visitor Center. We are told we have
exactly one hour before the bus departs. We Are told of the many options for
how to enjoy our time, but would have to choose which we preferred as there was
not time enough to enjoy all that was available here. Of course, The Canyon and
Views were a Major feature! Other features included nature centers, Information
areas, Book and Gift stores, Cafes (which according to the Driver has Excellent
Fresh Berry Smoothies), and many other attractions.
My Phone had already died, and knowing I needed to keep
track of time, I dug my watch out of my pack. (It was in my pack, because I had
recently broken the band, and had not repaired it, but still had it with me. I
stuffed it in my pocket, and headed out to explore.
Many of the tour-group decided to venture toward the
village, and informative centers, restrooms, etc first. I decided to head to
The Views first. I had been to The Grand Canyon long long ago, but this was my
first visit in ages, and I wanted to take in as much as possible on this quick
trip. I was a bit surprised how crowded the rim trails were, but quickly
understood how they were so crowded. Long ago when I visited, the trails were
narrow, rough, and considered a hike to even view The Canyon. Recent
improvements had made the area complete accessible to all. The trails were now
like roads. Wide, concrete, evenly graded, so anyone in any shape, any age, or
using any sort of mobility aid was able to access the same places. I absolutely
love that this is accessible to anyone. Suddenly this Wilderness area was a
confusion of wheeled devices. A Lot of Them, too! (Where did all these come
from?) There were thousands of things on wheels everywhere along the “trails”.
It was quite surprising to see so many electric scooters, wheelchairs,
strollers, bicycles, wagons, and Segways along the Rim of The Grand Canyon. I
would later discover there were shops nearby that rented everything on wheels
you could imagine for the tourists to use on these paths. I did find it
amusing, but chose to not let that slow me down from enjoying what I came for.
After a bit of jockeying around parked wheeled devices, I
found my way to the Rim.
Ahhh! Soo Magnificent! So Much to enjoy, ponder, and
take-in.
Just like all the thousands of others who were there to do the same
thing. I definitely felt like I was just part of “What everyone else is doing”,
instead of getting the chance to be part of the place, feel its energy,
understand its balance in the world. I decided to venture a bit further down
the rim trail, away from where the hordes were. Knowing I still had limited
time for exploring.
I did find some views that were not so crowded, and where I
felt I could feel the energy of the land, not just of the people. I got some
fun pictures, watched some of the life far far below, enjoyed the feel of the
natural spirit. I sat on a rock where I could feel its energy, and wondered how
much that rock could tell that it has seen over the centuries.
After a short time, I decided I should head toward the bus,
and if time allowed, venture to some of the informative centers nearer the bus.
I managed to have about 15-minutes left. I toured some of the information
places, the bookstore, and decided to hit the Restroom before getting back on
the bus. I tucked my watch back into my pocket, and joined the long line for
the Men’s Room. I noticed everyone was waiting for the urinals, but nobody was
using to toilets. I went around the line, and to the toilets.
As I buttoned-up,
the toilet auto-flushed, and right then my watch decided to leap out of my
pocket … ~Splash~! Right into the flushing toilet! I thought: No big deal, it’s
water proof, and toilet is already flushing. I could just grab it out, wash it
off in the sink, and be all good. Nope! In that split-second, the toilet
totally swallowed my watch! Most toilets would not flush even a simple object,
and most have trouble with toilet paper… But this one, flushed my watch
completely, without hesitation. That made me laugh, so I took a picture of the
toilet… and laughed again.
(Probably The Only time I would take a picture, and post it on a blog about The grand Canyon!... especially of an ugly, dirty toilet!)
I went back to the bus, just on time! I usually have
an excellent sense of time, so figured I would not need my watch, and would be
ok. But then I thought about how distracted I get while lost in nature, and
knew the next stop would be easier to lose track of time… I wondered how I
would figure this out. On the short drive to the next stop, I remembered my Camera also has a clock on it. That'll do!
We drove to the next stop, which was Bright Angel Lodge.
Here we were also given many options, but mostly on the
Rim-side of the Lodge for exploring. Here were magnificent views, historical
lodges, huts, and other historical buildings. Also there were many gift shops,
bars, ice cream parlour, and cafes. There was an art gallery on the edge of a
cliff, plus a grand lodge just up the hill to another view point. This was also
the place where The Mules were that gave the Mule Tours down into The Canyon.
Not mentioned by The Driver, but noticed by me was the Grand Canyon Railroad
was located here. I decided to take in as much of all the areas as I could
manage in the allowed hour. I Noticed most people head to the shops, and cafes
first, waiting in lines to get what they wanted. I found a door out the back
that quickly led me beyond the buildings (which are gorgeous, and have quite an
authentic history you can feel as you pass through) directly to The Rim.
Once on The Rim At Bright Angel, It was Amazing!
This area
was definitely not catering to all those with wheeled devices. It was still
open, and graded, but also had steep hills, and open drop-offs everywhere.
Definitely more in-touch with the natural side of The Canyon. Of course I felt
the natural energy here, plus the history. But I actually was more enthralled
with the giant Squirrels everywhere! And The Condors, too!
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Hard to Capture these Condors In Flight!
I got many just gliding above, but I LOVE This One
with the Canyon in the background! |
After a bit on The Rim, I decided to go explore The Railroad
and The Mules. I was soo happy to be allowed on The Train Tracks, and touch the
Locomotive, too! (In Vegas, if you even step on the gravel near the tracks,
they will arrest you and charge you with criminal trespass, so I have been
wanting some Real Train-track time!) This was not just any old railroad, It was
The Grand Canyon Railroad!
Not only did I play here, so did many others, too! (Including My Ducks!)
After the RailRoad, I went to check out The Mules.
I wanted
to get pictures with them (Of course!) and show people I was showing My Ass in
The Grand Canyon … Seems The Mules wanted to show more than their Ass …
I had
to laugh that as soon as I showed up, they got … Well, very Frisky! … Yup, I
took pictures. How many people can say they saw THIS at The Grand Canyon?
After The Mules, I crossed the tracks again, and hiked up to
The Lodges one more time. I felt the time was close that I should be back at
the bus. Turned out I still had ten more minutes! I explored some more of The
Rim, and enjoyed as much of this sight as I could, before leaving.
Once on the bus, we were driven through the Workers’ cabins.
(Thousands
of seasonal workers come every year, and they only pay $60 a month for rent in
these cabins.)
Then after a short drive, we were back at The Airport to board our
flight back to Vegas. I was one of the
first through the TSA screening, so had a few extra minutes out by The Plane to
enjoy.
I asked the Fire Department if I could take pictures with My
Duck, and their Engine. They’d never had anyone ask that before, but after a
brief discussion, they decided it would be ok. (None of the firemen wanted to be in the
picture.)
Then I took a few more pictures outside The Vision Aircraft, and
boarded the plane.
Once everyone was thru security, we were ready to head home.
The flight crew informed us that it would be very turbulent on the return trip,
and we would be flying at 22,000 feet to avoid some of that, making our views
less spectacular.
I already had noticed how my internal compass was a bit-off
during this adventure, and also knew I was approaching the level of unstable in
the seizure area. But I figured I would be fine for another half-hour of
flight. I usually do excellent at knowing exactly where I am, and also which
direction is which. I think due to the nature of not looking up all the travel
details, plus the fact that it was such a short flight, kinda messed-up my
internal map/ compass. Even the takeoff from GCN was quite turbulent, and I
wondered how this would fare for the rest of the flight. Usually if I am
approaching seizure state of mind, I just need to stop what is affecting me.
Well, that is normally simple… Unless I happen to be in an airplane at 22,000
feet.
Sound, movement, and light are what can set-off a seizure in me. Most of
the seizure is neurological. So usually I just need to focus on something
that will distract my brain from allowing the activity to continue. I took my
earmuffs out of my pack to eliminate the sound, and that helped a little. I
could close the window shade, but it turned out the view out the window was not
affecting me. It was the uncontrollable movement in the turbulent flight. I
knew I had to make it back to Vegas without a seizure, or I would cause a panic
on the plane, and also cause emergency response to greet us upon landing. It
was mental chore I do not wish to repeat. I made it. Even during the
all-too-close onset of a seizure, I still found as much as possible to enjoy
and see on the flight.
Seeing Vegas from the air is an entirely new experience,
and I wanted to take in as much as possible.
I even was thrilled that I saw the
tail of a WestJet on the ground, just before we arrived at out gate.
You might ask why I would include the part about the seizure
in my writing. Well, good, or bad, it is part of the adventure. Every adventure
will have some good, and some bad. I have learned to embrace what the adventure
holds, not just gloss over and pretend it is only all-good. I find that even the bumps in the road (or
flight in this case) are part of the journey. If I only focused on the great
stuff, I would easily allow myself to forget that there is more to a journey
than just the great. By including the bumpy parts, I am reminded that we must
always find positive in the bumpy parts. I also do not totally remove those bumps, because
I never want someone else to venture into some trip thinking it will be totally
good. I want anyone who goes on an adventure to understand that they should
expect a few bumps, to find to joy that awaits. If I ever mislead anyone into
thinking there would be no bumps, and they get discouraged at the first bump, I have not helped prepare
them.
This trip was Absolutely Amazing, Spectacular, and Wonderful!
Would I do it again? Without a doubt, Yes!
(But I may have to wait a few months
for my scrambled brain to re-settle, and gain solid footing again before I do).
Another thing this showed me was how easily I could still succumb to seizures
if I am not careful. It has been many years, and I had forgotten how fragile I
am at times. Sometimes even super-heroes need to be reminded.
I have told many how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING This Adventure and
Escape is. That is The total Truth. The title of this blog is “A Grand Escape”.
It is very fitting. I managed to have One Of The Best Escapes I’ve Ever had on a
day off. It was more than I could have expected, and will be easily One Of My
Favorite Adventures!
I Hope You find A Grand Escape in your near future.
A Footnote: I included a few photos of this adventure in
this blog. If you would like to see the entire set, I have them in My Flickr page. They are all here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonsview/sets/72157645149194722/
