Canyons
December 27th, 2009 , 2:29
Up far too early. Had a wake up call for 4.30am scheduled but they rang at 4am. ARG. We rolled over, set another alarm, and tried to go back to sleep. Up at 4.30 and first thing is put on the coffee. Then get ready. Down to the front by 5.30 for our pickup to the airport.
We booked with Maverick Helicopter tours to go to the Grand Canyon then raft down the Colorado River. Got all sorted and weighed for the helicopter and we were off. Way nifty to ride in a helicopter! We flew over the Strip then off to Lake Mead and over the Hoover Dam (whoa!). Then into the Canyon flying under the rim. Got to see the new visitor centre with the skywalk, which looked teeny tiny from where we were. We landed for about 20 minutes to have breakfast (with champagne) before loading back up and flying off to get refuelled in the middle of no where. No really, middle of no where, there was nothing but a couple of tanks and a pump! Then back to Boulder City airport where our ride to the raft was waiting.
Had to drive down to the rafting place to pick up our packed lunches, then join the queue of cars to the dam. Lots and lots of dam tourists. We turned off just before the dam and drove down to the river and the raft. The raft was a large patoon boat, very steady and no white water. We stayed at the bottom of the Hoover Dam for a bit learning about it and getting a good view from the bottom. Then we were off pottering down the river. Right off saw a golden eagle soaring above us, then a little bit down the river was a bald eagle having lunch! Photos to be on Flickr soon. We were rafting through Black Canyon and it was lovely. Stopped at a beach for lunch, then carried on to see the old gauge station and hear stories from our guide. Then our boat stopped. Wouldn’t start. So we got to drift while another raft came for us!
Got off at Willow Beach where our bus was waiting for us to take us back to Vegas. As we were on the other side of the river we got to join the queue of dam tourists again and take ages and ages to cross the Hoover Dam. But nifty to see the top! We didn’t stop to gawp – well except when the tourists did to get their dam photos. So we took photos then as well.
In all a very fun day. We’re now off for dinner at the Stratosphere!
