THE GRAND CANYON (the last of our National Park visits)

This post is several days late and I apologize for not updating my blog sooner!

After our visit of the Arches on June 1, 2023, we arrived late in our hotel in Tusayan which is just outside of the South Entrance of the Grand Canyon National Park. We entered from the East Entrance and the last two hours or so of the driving was somewhat slower than the posted speed limit since the sun was directly in my eyes and it was difficult to see the vehicles in front of you! Some of the more cautious drivers put on their hazard lights so they can be spotted better and that was a relief!

This was our fourth visit to Grand Canyon, the last one we took the Grand Canyon Railway (and stayed in their hotel too) that started in Williams, Arizona. The ride was very entertaining and inspiring. Talented Western musicians and cowboys entertained us while we enjoyed the breathtaking vista along the way!

No matter how many times you’ve visited Grand Canyon you will be awestruck with its majestic beauty, especially how it was formed – one of the most spectacular examples of erosion in the world!

It was nice to see the Welcome sign in the visitors’ center include “MABUHAY” – the Filipino word for welcome!

We didn’t stay very long at the park. We headed for Chandler, AZ (a suburb of Phoenix) to visit Trini’s first cousin, Rock Calvo who we haven’t seen in years. The estimated 3.5 hours of driving turned into more than 4 hours due to the terrible roads!!!! Highway construction was all over – roads were dusty and rutted that turned a leisurely drive into a grueling one! We tried to find rest areas so we could rest our butts from the bumpy ride but they were few and far in between!

We heaved a sigh of relief when we neared our destination!

As soon as we got inside the house I asked if I can take a nap as I was exhausted! Florence, Rock’s wife cooked a very delectable HOT POT! While Flor was cooking, I went to our car’s ice box and took the last remaining IPA beer that was perfectly chilled already! We stayed overnight in Chandler and we were sad to leave, thankfully we all have FaceTime and messenger accounts nowadays.

Our next itinerary was in the beautiful city of San Diego, California. San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of California known for its beaches, parks and pleasant climate. Immense Balboa Park is the site of the renowned San Diego Zoo, as well as numerous art galleries, artist studios, museums and gardens. A deep harbor is home to a large active naval fleet, with the USS Midway, an aircraft-carrier-turned-museum, open to the public. 

We stayed in a hotel in Old Town. It is a neighborhood of San Diego. It is the oldest settled area in San Diego and is the site of the first European settlement in present-day California. 

A couple of days before arriving I contacted my old Navy buddy who happened to be our oldest son Gerald’s godfather. Danny Yu and I were stationed in Long Beach Naval Hospital as pharmacy technicians. I went on to become a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman while Danny retired as a Commander (O-5) in the Medical Service Corps! A truly significant accomplishment!

Danny Yu and his wife, Micy treating us to dinner!

After the brief overnight stay in San Diego we headed to Los Angeles to see our traveling dear friends – Tommy and Oya Holgado (they just came back from their Philippine vacation). Our friends of more than 40 years – Alex and Nel Baes also came to see us since we rarely see other since we moved to Las Vegas.

Our friends Tommy and Oya Holgado posing during our March 2023 vacation trip in Norway. This one was taken in Fläm.

We stayed overnight in La La Land then our last stop was in Claremont, CA to see our two handsome grandsons – Geo and Gavin – who we only see on a monthly basis!

We’re back in Sin City! There ain’t no place like home….