Oh dear, rookie planning mistake!!!

From a not so astonishing Jane

Ah, you book online, you check the distances.....yeah, that should work.

Except, when it doesn't. The Grand Canyon is really big. Everyone recommended the North Rim to visit, if you have a choice. After visiting, I agree. But, oh, oh, oh dear. Coming from the accommodation near Bryce Canyon we were closer to the North Rim, but unfortunately, we were staying closer, but it appeared, not very near, to the South Rim.

Even without a detour, the trip was going to take at least 5 1/2 hours driving time, and we always tried to limit it to no more than 4. Just driving to the North Rim took 3 hours. A Junior Ranger book took another 3 hours or so. Driving to the South Rim took, forever, really and it is through empty service-less country....grumble, grumble, grumble

Realising that it was indeed a Saturday night we were trying to find a place to eat on, with many places filled, needing bookings, etc, etc, etc. Limping into Flagstaff at 8pm, greeted by "roads closed for special event" signs did not fill us with cheer. Gluten Free and travelling is hard at the best of times, but finding parking and eateries hiding down alleys, and having to sit out in the cold........well, it gives you time to reflect.

There was still about an hour to drive to get to our accommodation, and it was in Williams, which itself is an hour away from the Canyon. And it would be a Sunday! Who plans to go to the most busy National Park on a weekend?! Only the most foolish planning Janie.

Then we got to the motel on Route 66. Ah, we understand what the 'kicks' are. Huh. Not for children. And the accommodation, when you arrive just before 10pm, more than 12 hours after you left in the morning, is hopefully welcoming and a relief. Well, let's just say, it was more cheap than relieving. Sigh. No kitchen, save a fridge and a microwave. No cutlery, crockery, no way to do breakfast, lunch or dinner despite having all the ingredients.

So, with limited wifi, tired and grumpy eyes, it was trying to scour the few eatery options in town that would serve a Coeliac friendly breakfast............grumble, grumble, grumble.

Yes, the South Rim was filled with people, shuttle buses left with no standing room - but they still squished people on, queues to talk to the rangers, the toilets, the drinking fountains........blimin' tourists everywhere, determined to get the 'perfect photo'.......grumble, grumble, grumble......

Surely, surely I could have planned that better. Who comes to the Grand Canyon on the weekend? Yellowstone was during the week, Disneyland is during the week.....There was some truck racing thing Logan wanted to see and another cool music festival that looked interesting with the band Eliza really liked in Vegas that weekend, where it would have been more fun to have been.

But, oh, when you awaken the next morning, and see the news. Maybe the plans were a good idea after all. We are so glad we weren't in Las Vegas last night.

We will update about what it's like here, later. Suffice to say - weird vibe, police everywhere, roads closed.

Sorry, no pictures, will do the Grand Canyon update later too.

Just needed to let you all know that 1, we are safe, and 2, I have learnt another of those good life lessons.