Around The World In 80 Waves

The Grand Canyon is considered one of the natural wonders of the world but the route to its northern rim is more than 6 hours drive from Las Vegas and to the southern rim is 5 hours so I head off reasonably early to ensure I get there. However make a mental note for future reference if crossing terrain like this which includes a desert it is probably a good idea to put some fuel in the car! I am cruising down the road and get well past Boulder City and the Hoover Dam before taking notice of the beeping car which has cried wolf one too many times but is now at the bottom of the red on the fuel guage. Oops!

At a lay by I pull in to see if I can beg some fuel from anybody, but there is none to be had. I have to plow on and spend 20 miles holding my breath, somehow crawling in to the next petrol station over the border in Arizona. I cannot believe the little green surf machine made it. Whilst filling up I meet an Indian Couple (of the Mumbai variety) there who tell me there is another place to view the canyon at the western end, but it entails driving 30 miles across dirt roads, which is where they are heading. Immediately I am up for it and challenge them and their Chevy Malibu to a race because we are both headed the same way.

Our mini Cannonball Run contiunues to the Indian Reservation (of the Hualapai tribe variety) where we can gain access to the Grand Canyon. The road is like this and is a bit of a nightmare following somebody over the loose rocks, ruts, corrugated road surface and hairpin bends that make up the stretch in the Mt Wilson Wilderess Area.

You kind of get your eye in after a while and start getting comfortable tail sliding the car around corners, but sadly I come second because they are able to go far more mental in their rental than I am willing to abuse my VW. I still have a long way to go with this car and want it to make it all the way there.

The Grand Canyon does not disappoint, and is easily way more impresive than the bright lights of Vegas. The Hualapai tribe are in the process of developing this bit of their land to try and bring more wealth into their community and have recently spent a staggering $30m on this skywalk building to attract visitors. The piece you see to the right of the building is a walkway which projects out over the canyon’s edge and there is nothing between its glass bottomed floor and the canyon some 4,500 feet below, which is nearly 1.5 times the height of Snowdon

That sounded like fun but because my Harley dream is not going to happen this time around I opt for the helicopter and river rides through the canyon instead. I cant believe my luck when I am asked if I will take the front seat because nobody else wants to sit there. The pilot knows his stuff and is yanking and banking through the epic scenery. Way better than any thrill ride. Just Awesome. I am a complete numbnuts and despite having two cameras on me decide only to take the gopro and it’s spare battery, only to find both batteries are flat once airborne!

I manage to wring out a few shots from what little juice there is left, but am grateful to the Australian family who have already passed on this shot of me on the Colorado river at the bottom of canyon.

 The canyon really is awesome and nothing I say will do it justice. It is 220 miles of scenery like this. Absolutely breathtaking.

I stick around until just before sunset, marvelling at the way the light changes the view before realising that I have to get back across that dirt road, which will be an absolute nightmare in the dark so I hop in the car and head for the sunset.

Herbie fashion am thrashing through the desert while there is a little light left. It may not be fastest anybody has ever driven down that road, but I am certain it will be the fastest time posted in a Beetle. It is so much fun with the back end sliding around on every corner on the loose surface. I perfect my drift racing technique weaving through loose rocks, and adding photography into the equation is just and added bonus.

I know I went quite quickly but am particularly impressed to see that my efforts have resulted in me travelling back in time ‘Back to the Future’ style even if my car is certainly no Delorean and I am not even sure it will do 88mph!