Grand Canyon

We stayed up entirely too late the night before. As today we had to get up bright and early to catch our bus to the Grand Canyon. We got up showered, dressed and ran to the bus area. Needless to say there were so many other buses there we didn't have a clue which one was ours. After some searching we realized our bus wasn't there just yet. So after waiting for like 15-20 mins our bus finally showed up. We got on and were drove somewhere in Henderson I do believe. Then got off the bus and herded like cattle into where we needed to check-in. We were divided up into different groups dependent upon which rim of the Canyon we were going to. We were off to the West Rim (which housed the famous Skywalk). We almost opted to upgrade to the helicopter/boad ride excursion, but decided against it after realizing we wouldn't get much extra time to explore the Canyon itself.
At long last and after a horrid "continental breakfast" we were on our way. The drive itself took forever it seemed. Kev slept pretty much the whole way there. I stayed up though cuz I didn't wanna miss a second of the journey. Took pictures of the landscape and they even played "Vegas Vacation" for us to watch to keep entertained. Once we got there the bus driver pretty much dropped us off at the food hut and took off. He wasn't the best tour guide, let me tell you. He was pretty much like you've got 1 hour here, be back on the bus by then or else we'll leave you. Not like he stayed with us or anything. He had people pass around meal tickets on the bus and some retardo ended up keeping one. Well me & Kev were in the back so that left one of us without one. Kev graciously gave me the sole ticket left but I marched right up to the driver and raised hell (as only a redhead can) and the driver gave Kev his meal ticket. Then the driver had to go all the way back to the entrance to get him another one after he dropped everyone else off. Kev felt bad but I didn't. We paid for that ticket!
We grabbed some Hualapai indian grub and got a picnic table right on the edge of the Canyon. Literally right on the edge. If I had gotten up and taken 3 steps forward I would have been a goner. No guardrails or anything. Kevin kept scaring me too. He was getting so close to the edge to take pictures. I tried to film a bit with the camcorder too. But I wasn't nowhere near the edge. No sir re. We explored the area for a bit and bought some souvenirs from Hualapai injuns. Apparently it was forbidden to take rocks or anything but they're allowed to sell you rocks that they've painted on. Strange huh.
After that we were off to the Skywalk. Saw some pretty cool rock formations. My fav was the "Sleeping Dog". From far off the Skywalk looks really cool. But from close up its not. I can't believe we paid $25 each just to walk on that thing. You can't even take anything with you, no camera or cell phone, they even make you walk through a metal detector. Taking pictures out there is forbidden by tourists but yet they can take your picture and then sell it to you for like $20. Such a tourist trap. We had to put these special booties on so we wouldn't scratch the glass while we walked out on the Skywalk. I gotta admit its a nice view but its not as good as it could be. I thought you'd be way out over the rim but in all actuality you're not really that far out. You can't see the bottom of the Canyon or anything.
Then we ran back to the bus so we wouldn't get left behind. Off to our last stop.....the gift shop of course. Its a wonder there was anything left once we got out of there. We got way too many souvenirs. Just ask the stuffed eagle that lives in our living room now. Haha. But I did get me a "pet" cactus. I thought he was just a magnet but turns out he was an actual live cacti. How cool is that. He lives in my office now. And he drinks way tooo much water. :)
Then the long ride home. Kevin was awake this time. :) We stopped about halfway back at this lil chocolate factory and got ice cream. Yummy. The driver even had the nerve to mention on the way back that its ok for us to tip him if we feel he has given us excellent service. WTF!?! Needless to say nobody gave him a tip from what I can tell. Time we got to the hotel we were exhausted so we just relaxed in the room for a bit. I ended up with a horrid sunburn on my shoulder. From my darn WVU purse strap.
After a change of clothes we headed to Pampas Brazillian buffet in the Miracle Mile to use our free dinner we got for attending the timeshare. I must say I really liked this place. Never been anywhere quite like it. They bring all these foods around to your table on skewers and then slice stuff off on your plate. Not for a vegetarian though. Our "free dinner" specs only allowed us a sampling of their "hot" buffet. Kevin splurged and got the "cold" buffet as well (seafood galore). I splurged and got me a plate of cheesy fries. So much for a "free" meal. We still ended up spending like $30 - $40 bucks. Kinda like a regular dinner back home. Our waitress sucked though. She was awful. Kev went w/o a beer for half his meal. :( She got like a $1 tip in the end! Haha! We showed her! Or I did...Kev still wanted to leave a good tip, but I told him heck no! :)
We purchased most of our souvenirs, went back to the casino for some free drinks and a lil more gamblin before retiring. Got a big day planned tomorrow...Heading to Hoover Dam most of the day with Fremont Street in the evening! :)

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