Because the grand canyon was too far from San Diego we couldn't drive there in one day we had to stay one night in a town called Laughlin. Damien told us the nick name for this town is 'little Vegas'. We did stay in a hotel with a casino but nothing compared to Vegas. Every morning we would leave by nine am so not many lay ins unless we had two days somewhere. On the way to Laughlin we also stopped at a place called salvation mountain. Damien told us that people lived there that wanted to be 'off the grid' basically people that maybe addicted to drugs or just live in camper vans and are not 'a part of the system'. It was in the middle of the desert and was made by a called Leonard Knight. The mountain was Leonard's tribute to God. It is very colourful and says 'God is Love' in the middle. It was a very strange experience but was breathtaking at the same time.
When we got to the canyon myself and most of the other girls were going to do a helicopter ride but when we went to check in they told us no one was flying because there were clouds in the canyon. This was really frustrating but they said that the weather looked better tomorrow so we could change it. The problem with that was I was going to do the twelve mile hike and wouldn't be able to if I done the helicopter as well. Damien took us to the canyon that day anyway to the look out. When we got there he made us all walk in a line holding the person in front shoulders with our heads down and eyes closed. He then lined us up next to each still with our heads down and eyes closed. He was in front of us with Bell's camera ready to take a picture of our faces. When he counted to three we all looked up, it was the most one of the most beautiful sights ever. Even though I had already seen the canyon it was a different view and was unreal! Bell and I were waiting to get a picture on a rock where everyone was queuing it took a while but was worth it. I was first and when Bell was showing me how to take a picture on her camera a guy jumped the line and on the rock and she just looked at him and said HAY! She didn't realise she said it in a sort if aggressive tone but when we spoke about it later we all just cracked up. Then HAY! Stuck throughout the trip.
We all just went back to the hotel that night and had an early night because we was going hiking at seven am. Damien warned us that because we were leaving so early it would be cold and to wrap up and take lots off slow realising food with us for the hike.
When we got there it was quite cold but I was expecting it to be colder from what he said. I had decided to do the nine mile hike because it would have given me enough time to get back to be picked up for the helicopter. I decided to storm down the canyon as quick as possible so I could take my time getting back up if need be. I made it down the Indian Gardens which was where I was stopping and going back (4.5 miles in). I made it there in an hour and a half. I started to make my way back up after a fifteen minute break and on the way bumped into Meg, who was doing the same as me and Sherida and Phoebe who were doing the twelve mile because they weren't doing the helicopter. After getting to the first rest house which was 1.5 mile from where I walked to I was tired already and thought this is going to be much harder than what I thought. I powered on and when I got to the next 1.5 miles I bumped into a group that I had walked passed as they were going up and I was going down. I couldn't believe how well I was doing in time. I had decided I wanted to do this in four hours, the recommended time was six-eight. The last 1.5 was defiantly the worst because it was the steepest point. I kept looking up thinking oh not much further then I'd turn the corner and be like oh yes it is. I done the whole thing in four hours and two minutes I was so proud of myself and felt so good for it. We all just chilled in the sun waiting to be picked up for the helicopter ride, I was shattered.
The helicopter ride was amazing and the pilot was hilarious. Jodie was sitting next to him and at one point he was flying towards one of the walls and kept asking Jodie when should I pull up, now? Now? What about now? Then he quickly pulled the helicopter up and over, Jodie's face was a picture.
When we got back to the hotel Damien took us for another Mexican, it was coming clear that maybe his favourite food was Mexican seeing as this was the second time we had it in four days.
It was another early start that morning next stop, Vegas baby! I couldn't. Wait to get back there!