FLAGSTAFF TO PAGE

THURSDAY, 19TH MAY.

We didn't do too much this morning after yesterday's outing to the very grand Grand Canyon as we were both a little worn out, so gave ourselves a half day of rest and recuperation.  When we did venture out, it was to the laundry where we left a bag of washing to be washed and dried.  The laundress informed us that they would close at 3.00p.m. and wouldn't re-open until Monday, due to a fair that was being set up in the centre carpark which would effectively close all the shops there.  With only a couple of hours or so available before collection time, we opted to visit the visitor centre, go for a walk around the town as we hadn't seen much of it the night before (plus it was freezing then), and go for a short drive.  There was time for a cup of coffee before returning to the laundry at 2.45pm only to find that it was already closed.  After a mild panic, we were able to retrieve our clean, dried and neatly folded washing (all for $9) so a happy ending ensued.  By this time it was raining steadily so we decided to return to the motel, via the supermarket, for a quiet night.

FRIDAY, 20TH MAY.

We made an earlyish start to the day, leaving Flagstaff at 7.30a.m. for the short drive north to the Sunset Crater Volcanic National Monument where we were able to use our National Parks pass to gain entrance.  There are a few walking trails of various lengths through the lava fields and we chose the shortest one, had several attempts at taking a photo of the Sunset Crater Volcano while struggling to not get blown away by the fierce wind, visited an ancient Indian village and I had my first test drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, driving to Cameron where we stopped at the Trading Post and were blown into the extensive store which houses some wonderful Indian hand made articles as well as a few from China. 

Pressing on, we looked for a sheltered picnic spot to have lunch, couldn't find one so sat in the car out of the afore mentioned fierce wind to make and eat our lunch, after which we carried on to Page where we visited the Glen Canyon Dam and the Visitor Centre, collecting information re visiting Antelope Canyon from the very friendly, helpful lady there.  Unable to stay overnight in Page as all accommodation was booked out (it's graduation week we were told) we drove a short distance across the border into Utah and stayed the night in Big Water