"You have 5 minutes to get off this property!"

After leaving Vegas, we began our travel back to NC. For this part of the road trip, we hadn't exactly figured out how we would get back to Durham in time. According to Avis, we need to return the Focus by Sunday at 12 pm. In order to do this, we realize we have to drive a pretty good portion each day. So this is our new goal:

Tuesday: end in Albuquerque
Wednesday: in Oklahoma City
Thursday: in Memphis
Friday: in Asheville
Saturday: in Durham
Sunday: return the car

We look at this itinerary and realize we will need to drive around 8 hours each day. It's all good though. We head toward New Mexico, by first stopping at The Grand Canyon. Although I had been before, I was thrown by how to get there. We were driving through deserts, dirt roads, and other terrain for miles just to get to the top of the canyon.






After perhaps 30 minutes, we finally reach within sight of the mouth of the canyon when we are stopped by a worker at the canyon. "Have you guys been here before?"
"No. "
"Well, I'm going to need you guys to park in this lot, and head inside the building."

Now I sure don't remember this happening last time, but we were on the part of the canyon owned by an Indian reservation, so perhaps they would try to get us to buy stuff. And boy was I right!

We found out we wouldn't even get to see the canyon unless we paid at least $100 per person in mandatory tours, gas fees, and taxes! Ruti and I looked at each other and dipped out of there. But we were still determined to see the canyon. I mean, we were right there!

We spotted a ranch a mile down the road and stopped there. Here, more souvenirs were sold and a dirt road led to the mouth of the canyon. BUT the entrance to the road had a huge "No Trespassing" sign. Well clearly they didnt mean us...



So we get out of the car, wait until no one is looking and hightail it down the road. Five minutes into our walk, we look to the right, and...

"oh no..."

A worker is rushing toward us on horseback. And we are so close to the edge! I look at Ruti.

"Hurry up and take a picture of me!" I said as I ran in front of him and turned my back to the canyon. Just as he took my picture, the big bad sheriff came up.

"Did you not see the sign up front saying not to enter! What are you doing out here?!"

Ruti looked like he was about to pee in his pants... "I don't know," he said.

"Did you come in a car?"
"yes"
" Well you have five minutes to get in your car and get off this property, before I have security escort you off!"

So we left, a bit dejected... But at least we got our picture :p.
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Location:Grand Canyon