We left Las Vegas just before 8 to make the 120 mile and 3 hour drive to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. On the way we drove in to check out the Hoover Dam, a dramatic piece of US engineering built in the 30's to provide hydroelectric power.
This was the road bridge constructed over the river, which we drove over after visiting
Grand Canyon West, the closest accessible part to Las Vegas, is not part of the National Park but is solely controlled by the Hualapai Nation. It is they that have built the Sky Walk, the walkway that extends out over the canyon, with a glass floor to walk on. Since what I think was humble beginnings (with no complete paved road) they have progressed to a huge and slick operation. No private individual can drive there. Everyone has to park in the service area, leave their cars and then have a choice of being helicoptered to the Canyon, or getting a bus to the various scenic points. There were scores of cars and buses parked so they were moving loads of people around. We had gone for the helicopter, boat, bus and meal deal, and very well it worked too......
First was the helicopter flight....
Which landed down beside the Colorado River
Our skipper - from Tiawan!
We were then picked up again by helicopter and taken on a longer ride through the canyon, back to our original departure point.
We were then allowed to take the shuttle bus which took us to the Skywalk area, at Eagle Point.
This area was sacred to the Hualapai and was called Eagle Point because of the Eagle shape in the rock structure....
As to the Sky Walk Howard did it, and I stayed on the side to take photos. Sadly no cameras were allowed on the Sky Walk, but I got a few from close by. Howard is waving...
...and this is the view he had (this photo is from the Internet)
After that we headed to Guano Point for more views and lunch. The food was served canteen style, but was really really good - corn, mash, BBQ beef or chicken, salad, and a cookie for dessert. We found a table away from the crowd. And our picnic table had the most glorious view.
