Hit Interstate 40 around 12:45 headed towards Needles and the Arizona border beyond. It confuses me why anyone might want to live in a town like Needles- whose soul purpose is to be either the first or last town when entering/exiting California- which doesn't say much for SoCal, and less for its residence.
I'm not sure what I was expecting at our border crossing, but was surprised to see the Colorado River in the midst for such nasty desert. But really, what else is the squiggly line that defines our bordering states?...
Most of that drive continued uneventful- it's the desert...hot, windy, dry...nothing.
I did have to stop at a gas station in said nothingness, more caffeine juice and a bit of a nap in the windy shade parked to the side of the gas building. Leaving my arm cramped from holding up my bowling ball of a head, and barely more rested- so I placed my faith in Starbucks ready made caffeine in a can and resumed my arid venture.
As I-40 slowly began to veer Northwards with prolonged uphill battles of wind and semi's, the little Mini that could was suddenly emersed in dense pine, temp 72 Ferenheit, it felt like homecoming entering the Kaibab National Forest and upon the total Northward turn onto Hwy 64 with Grand Canyon National Forest just 55 miles away the desert was long gone.
Here the speed limit takes a nosedive- 65 with sections upwards of 35 along route. Arizona has this handy system recently installed and fully functioning in which every overpass is armed with traffic cameras that when speeding will take a picture of your license plate and send you a nice little picture of yourself and your car with speeding violation attached, straight home, the cops don't even have to pull you over and waste your time. Not something to come home to after a nice cross country trip. The average speed limit on the interstate is 75, which is nice, so I set my cruise control at a nice 82 miles per hour and hoped for the best.
At the Canyon Park entrance I was greeted by a nice park ranger, Matthew, who proceeded to take $25 for my entrance (and return for up to 7 days if I so chose) hand me a pass and explain the little map/guide it accompanies. By this time I really had to make use of a bathroom and was not following road directions fully- turning left instead of staying straight, I drove to a lodge area for the camper faint of heart in need of full services, including the fluffed and minted pillow upon return- so I parked and made use of the available facilities. Upon the clearing of my brain matter I was able to proceed to my days final destination- Mather Point campground, space 192, for a measly $18. Pausing for the local elk mother and her humanoid stalkers in tow, I found my campsite, quickly set up the tent in the waning bits of sunlight and finally realized it had now been quite some time since my last proper nutrients.
Quickly finding the lodge just a short walk down the road, I parked the car and investigated the food-ery, paid $10 for a plate of pasta and parmesan with small iced tea and what was supposed to be garlic toast at one point earlier in the night. This trip is quickly beginning to cost much more than anticipated.
The parentals called mid-meal, after a few minute chat with (now both sick) parents, I resumed my blessed meal, and went to the general store to see if there was any dessert type delicacy that would suit my fancy. After much wandering and suspicious looks from store attendants, I decided on an ice cream bar and headed back to camp, now fully encased in darkness.
Nature continues to put me in awe- I cannot count how many times I've been exasperated and felt its comfort in the few short hours since arrival.
I did get a bit lost returning from the camps bathroom facility- the closest of which is four porta-potties precariously perched aside a hill- but hey, I found the Mini and campsite in tow, and its never bad to have a calming walk on a nice summer night.
I think I might try to wake up for shots of the sunrise over the canyon...
