Grand Canyon. Yes. More Grand Canyon

October 6, Monday - still.

OK. I left a couple of things out of the last post.

On our way to try to beat the sunset, I got caught behind a couple of cars which were driving 10 MPH *under* the speed limit - and by that time, it was a 2-lane, twisty road, so I couldn't pass. AUGH! Yes, I'm on vacation, but sometimes the slow drivers drive me nuts anyway.

I finally got around them and THEN had to pull over for an *ambulance* going the other way (!!). Then we pulled up to an area where there was "crime scene tape" blocking off about 100 yards of the rim to the Canyon - and police directing traffic. Uhhh... what? THEN we saw a helicopter flying down *into* the canyon. THAT got my attention and I semi-patiently waited to get past the problem - but we still made it.

Ultimately - after we got the view and watched the sun set, we found signs in the Visitor Center which had "frequently asked questions". One of the questions was: "How often do people fall over the edge?" It is easy to do: most of the 300 miles of edge (times 2 - both South and North face) - are "natural": no fences or handrails or restraints. YOU are responsible for your own safety. The official answer to the question was: "Actually, not that many people fall over." Oh. Good. But it goes on: "but most who DO fall - do not survive the *initial* 300-foot drop". Yeah. The *first* drop is 30 stories high. If you manage to roll all the way down to the bottom, it is as much as a *mile* deep. We did eventually hear that someone had fallen over: that's what the helicopter and crime-scene tape was. We heard that they had died. And we *did* understand how easy it would be to decide to just try to "get out on *that* rock" for a picture. We decided to stay on the safe areas and use our zoom lenses.

Also, I promised more about the story of the English Jaguar cars. The next morning we were standing at the rim and bumped into 2 of the drivers of the Jag's. Yes. "2 of the drivers". Turns out that a group in the UK shipped over ***64*** Jag's and were driving Route 66 - all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles. REALLY cool! We just happened to be there when they were at the Grand Canyon. They said that the next nite they had arranged to drive all 64 Jag's down the Las Vegas Strip - accompanied by a few Harley's. I really wish I could have seen that. Ultimately, they were going to wind up on the Santa Monica pier and they had arranged to close the pier and park all 64 Jag's *on* the pier - as the ending to their drive. The Grand Canyon was incomparable, but having 64 English Jag's being driven the length of Route 66 - is "worthy" of comparing.

OK. So. With all of that extra "back story" in. HERE are the photos of the Canyon. Wow. Sure. It pales in comparison to the view of your new baby's face. Or the view of YOUR child getting their diploma. Or getting to see your loved one after a separation. But it's pretty amazing.