The Grand Cloud Cover

For the past several days, the desert has been calling. And not just any desert, but the Chihuahuan Desert of south-west Texas. Yup, Reilly and I have been getting homesick for Terlingua, the Big Bend and our desert family. After Saturday’s cold, wet ride, we decided it was time to start heading east.

Passing through Los Angeles, we stopped for the night at the home of a dear friend, Diana, with whom I’d stayed nearly exactly two years ago while touring the Pacific Coast. Though just a short visit this time, it was wonderful to spend some time catching up with Diana. After some bicycle maintenance and a load of laundry, we drove to Palm Springs for dinner with an old army buddy of Reilly’s.

Eventually we made our way north to the bustling metropolis of Vidal Junction where we parked and slept.
Sunday morning, drinking terrible coffee, we made our way to one of the greatest natural wonders in the United States, if not the world; The Grand Canyon.

As we drove north towards the South Rim, the flecks of snow at road-side became piles of snow. The trees were covered in the white stuff and the approaching clouds looked ominous. Pulling up to the entrance at the Grand Canyon, we were advised that because of the cloud cover, there was zero visibility into the Canyon. We could have paid the $25 to enter, but we’d have seen nothing but clouds. Figuring that paying to enter would be like paying for a ticket to a concert despite knowing the band wouldn’t be appearing, we turned around and headed for Phoenix.