Goodbye America

My trip is now at an end. It is tIme to go home, back to reality!!!
A last word to say thank you to all the wonderful people I have met, far too many to mention in person, but you all know who you are. These encounters across the country with cyclists and others, have really made this trip special. I also thank the people from home that have offered such great support and messages along the way. It has been really great to know people are interested and supportive.
Here are a few final shots from my NY week.

New York

Wow, this is different.
What a week. Started off with meeting up with my family.
Clare, Greg, Elizabeth and Abby who have taken the time to join me for the week and Peter and my Mum who made this journey for the weekend. What a time we have had, busy and tiring but very good fun.

Seattle

My second and final visit to Seattle. Staying with Spencer and Sheila my generous warm shower hosts. On arrival I took advantage ( on my hosts recommendation) to visit Pike's place market (supper of a clam chowder bread bowl), the space needle ( i rode to the top) and the Chihuly ( a glass artist) exhibition.
The next day I enjoyed a cycle around the city (26 miles) with my hosts, a wonderful way to get to know Seattle.
Then to the packing, time to dismantle and pack the bike and get ready to fly to New York.
Photos, Clam Chowder bread bowl, the needle, a very beautiful glass display and my hosts with me and their tandem.

Grand Canyon Day Three

Up at 5.30am for an early start, our final four and a half miles of ascent up to the south rim. Quite tough as our legs ( particularly calves) are pretty sore after the three days of trekking. As we got closer to the top the sparseness of other people diminished. Most people visiting the canyon only come to the rim or maybe venture down a mile or two. According to Dan only one percent of visitors go to the bottom of the canyon.
Finally we reach the top and celebrate with a milkshake, before Dan drives us back to Flagstaff for our bus back to Las Vegas.

Grand Canyon Day Two

Started our day just after 8.The day began with a two mile hike along the Colorado river before starting our ascent up the Angel trail to Indian Garden (approximately half way to the top) where we camped for the night.
We saw our first live rattle snake of the trip tonight, it has taken up residents in the campsite. Making the nearest residents a little jumpy, but we are told that it will not bite unless provoked. Although we need to be particularly careful walking to the toilet as a rattle snake making consider being trodden on a provocation. This particular type of rattler is a dusty pink colour, matching much of the environment here.
Our guide suggested that we could have a further trek out this evening of three miles to a place called 'plateaux point'. A rock plateau directly two thousand feet above the Colorado river, not a place for the feint hearted. So off we went to plateaux point.
Dan our guide cooked us dinner under the stars, we were the only people out there, quite an amazing experience.

Grand Canyon. Day one

Picked up at 5am by Dan, our Guide for the trip. We then drive from Flagstaff to the south rim of the canyon to start our downward trek. Today's trek down the kaibob trail is seven and a half miles to the bottom of the canyon to stay at Angel campground by Phantom ranch.
Phantom ranch is the only accommodation ( and fairly basic) at the bottom of the canyon and usually requires about a year's notice to get a cabin.
We need to carry a pack each for this trip, which includes all our water for the day, plus our camping equipment, food etc.
The kaibob trail is a reasonably hard hike (all down hill on rugged rock), we manage quite well considering the temperatures are well over 100 by the time we reach the bottom.
The views are spectacular, alongside flowers, cacti and mules we also see a condor coasting in the updrafts.
Mules are used to transport everything in and out of the canyon either pack mules for supplies or dude mules for people. Tomorrow we start the nine and a half mile trek back out, which we will do in two days.

Flagstaff

If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

It winds from Chicago to LA,
More than two thousand miles all the way.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

Now you go through St Louis,
Joplin, Missouri,
And Oklahoma city is mighty pretty.
You see Amarillo,
Gallup, New Mexico,
Flagstaff, Arizona.
Don't forget Winona,
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernandino.

Won't you get hip to this timely tip:
When you make that california trip
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.