If the South Rim is like Disney, the North Rim is like........well, the opposite. Very remote, no lines, no tour or shuttle buses, and only a small parking lot. The Grand Canyon Lodge is the central point of the commercial area, with the most amazing view that you can imagine. Two large decks with a huge fireplace, and rocking chairs all poised to look out over the Canyon. There are many log cabins, large and small, and a sizable camping area. All are booked solid months in advance. And the North Rim and the Lodge are closed mid-October thru mid-April b/c of the snowfall. The North Rim is about 1500 ft higher in elevation than the south, and receives over 80 inches of snow per year.
Hiking trails abound, as do mule rides to the bottom of the Canyon. Feels like another trip with some advance planning to stay here.
If Day 2 tested my patience, today tested my heat tolerance. After starting the day in the 50's and all leathered up, by noon, after leaving the North Rim, the elevation kept dropping and the temperature kept rising.
Having to break my trip rule of no Interstates, I-15 is about the only way to get from the North Rim to LA, via Las Vegas. At least, for my time frame. I'm picking up Brooke at noon on Saturday in Venice, to start our way up Highway 1, so I needed a more direct route today.
By the time I reached Las Vegas around 5pm, the temperature was 108, and I was done. My I-Phone even shut down with a "High Temperature" warning. Something I had never seen before.
I did stick to my rule of no chain hotels, staying at an old school motel on the old part of the strip. Next door is a Denny's, and on the other side a wedding chapel. My Harley is definitely the most expensive vehicle in the parking lot. Hope it's still there in the am.
Wow, free coffee at the Holiday Hotel.......
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