Having this great 2009 Dodge Journey was amazing. We had so much space for all our stuff that we could pick up another CouchSurfer who just arrived in Las Vegas. Ari a 29 year old guy from Seattle. Early in the morning we left our new German friends and headed downtown to the Stratosphere were Ari spent the night. He jumped in, introduced himself and off we went.

The ride to the Grand Canyon is easy and boring. The highway is long and straight forward without much variation. Luckily for us our 2009 Dodge Journey didn’t came with an antenna! We were able to pick up some sound of really good America road music at some smaller towns for a minute or 5 but then it was back to good old silence. And yes, we backpackers don’t carry any CD’s or DVD’s with us. We have iPods! So we hooked up my green battery less speakers which I got from Bella and we listened to some good old rock.

We drove all day and arrived at the Grand Canyon National Park around 8 PM. It got dark outside pretty early so we didn’t see nothing about the beautiful nature we were driving through. When we arrived at the entrance it was closed. So we just passed it and didn’t pay the 25 US dollars entrance fee. Lucky us! And after a 10 minute drive we arrived at a Rangers Headquarters office to get some information about the park.

We were all very tired - especially me because I did all the driving that day - that we went straight to the nearest camping. And again no rangers here so we just searched for a free spot - which wasn’t hard since it’s off season - parked the car and got ready for a night rest. Ari went camping outside and me and Sara slept in the back of the car.

The night was dark, silent and very very cold. We got up at 5:30 AM to see the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. So we quickly packed all our stuff including Ari’s tent into the car and left the camping without paying. Well we tried but there was no ranger awake at that time so another 18 US dollars saved. YEAH. We parked the car at the Yavapai Viewpoint and walked to the edge of the canyon. It was dark when we arrived but the closer we got to 6 AM the sun revealed more and more of the canyon. It was amazing seeing the canyon getting up like this, seeing it’s greatness, seeing the colors glowing up, hearing the birds starting to sing, and getting warmer every minute.

The sunset lasted for about an hour and was spectacular! When even you go there, make sure you see this sunset! It’s worth having a short night for. After the sun was high in the sky we jumped into the car and drove to the supermarket for a well earned breakfast and some hot tea. Besides the sunset we had a day hike planned so after breakfast we got ready and drove to the start point of the hike.

The South Kaibab Trail

This day hike went down into the Grand Canyon until the Skeleton Point from where you have another amazing view into the Grand Canyon. It was a two hour hike which went only downhill. From normal paths, lots of stairs and loss grind paths. During the hole hike the views got more and more spectacular and my camera was making overtime again.

Although the weather was cold and we only got warmed up by the sun, ¡t was a great day for hiking. No wind, just sun. Couldn’t be better I think. We stopped here and there for some photos and had a little rest at the Skeleton Point. Then it was time for the return, going all the way back up again. But as a good trained hiker it was a piece of cake.

The hike was moderated as being ´Medium´ and that’s exactly what it was. Not too hard but also not too boring.

Up in the Grand Canyon Village we got some diner and attendant a free presentation about the canyon which was every night at 7 PM. Why? Well mostly because it was warm inside. Afterwards we went back to the camping, put everything up again and went to bed. Another great day in the Grand Canyon.

Day 2 in the Grand Canyon

After a great day hike the day before I wanted to see more of the Grand Canyon. We after some startup trouble in the morning as I would call it we parked the Dodge at the west side of the park and got onto the bus which drives around for free. With a lot of stops on the way it’s a great way to see the west side of the Grand Canyon. We did some walking between the bus stops and after 3 hours we headed back to the car.

We then drove all the way to the Desert Viewpoint. From this point the view on the Grand Canyon and the desert was AMAZING! The tower which you can go up on doesn’t really add much to the view from the ground but still a must to see. From here we drove back to the Grand Canyon Village stopping at all the viewpoints on our way. Some were great some absolutely stunning and breathtaking.

The day went by and this night we settled in at one of the lodges for free wifi, warmth and comfort. After spending quite some time inside we went asking for prices of a place to sleep in one of the lodges there. 45 bugs a person - not really our budget. But then the manager came asked us what our budget would be and after a phone call we found ourselves in a big room with two king-size beds, private bathroom, TV and heater for only 20 bugs each. This night was the best at the Grand Canyon and I finally had a good night rest.

Happy birthday to you..

I woke up with a smile on my face. No not because I had sex but because it was my birthday! After a really good night rest I woke up and immediately felt older again. This whole being-in-the-thirties-thing really makes you feel old. But nothing really changes of course. ANYWAY. I checked my phone and scrolled through all the great birthday wishes from back home. Another big smile on my face. Then Sara and Ari were the first once singing for me.

Unfortunately our ways separated here. The car had to be returned to Los Angeles, so I made my way back to Las Vegas first. Sara and Ari made another day hike and afterwards hitchhiked to Flagstaff.  They both are making their way to the east coast.

I started driving the same way back as we came and it was a long way to Las Vegas. My iPod kept me company and every hour or so I sang ‘Happy birthday to me..’. But since I enjoy driving in the states it wasn’t too bad.

Back in Vegas baby!

I arrived in Las Vegas around three and called my German friend Julia again. I was more than welcome to spend another night on their couch. When I arrived they once again welcomed me with open arms and all together started singing a birthday song to me. They also had another CouchSurfer that night - the 23 year old Markus from Germany who was on a world trip as well. Together with him I went back to the Strip for some more sightseeing. He wasn’t there before so I took the role as guide.

Later that evening I, Markus, Tim and Jorge - another CouchSurfer from Colombia - who is driving back to Los Angeles with me the next day - met up on the strip and all of us went celebrating my birthday! Yes party on the strip. But the Las Vegas Boulevard with all the expensive casinos we went to the old part of the town called Fremont Street with all the real old casinos. After a short walk up and down we settled down at a 0.25 cent roulette table, changed some money and started gambling.

Besides having a great time gambling we also got plenty of free drinks which made the game even more fun. All of us lost and won money, but Jorge had really luck and won 80 bugs at the end of the night. Around half past four and with only a loss of 15 bugs we called it a night.

This birthday was different than all the others. I would have liked spending this day with family and friends drinking, dancing, having fun and talking. I really missed that.

Thanks

Once again I say thank you to Sara and Ari for joining me on the road trip. I enjoyed your company and I wish both of you all the best for your future trip. Until we meet again. Another ‘thank you’ to Julia and Tim for hosting me again. I really appreciate it! And of course a big thanks to Markus, Tim and Jorge for making my birthday a fun night.

Remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

Photos of Grand Canyon National Park