my wife, karen bought the fellas some local gifts..they can tell you about 'em.. :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175878652.jpg

great camera work..chris never says 'cheese'................
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175878700.jpg

Now that's a steak. Man, that place hasn't changed a bit. We had dinner in the back room. Had to walk through the kitchen to get there. They use a band saw to cut the steaks for the family style servings.

Thanks for that. I'm ready for lunch now. :)

That's frickin hilarious.

Love the denim shirts, too, you guys!

Jerame, there's a good chance that they are coming your way. I still owe you a ride in the beast from your show in Lake Tahoe.. Let me/them know if you're around..
Todd

Ryan,

Closing your eyes and wishing that your wife would move her hands back and forth a bit are not going to help!

She is cute, if she has any single sisters you know who to email! :)

Joe

I wasn't going to mention how hot Ryans wife was cause we all know how these threads can degenerate in a hurry.. Speaking of, here's a pic I snatched ( no pun intended) off one of my all time favorite threads http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175905345.jpg

By the way , the boys don't have anyone to meet tonight in NM.. so if anyone is in the area and wants to buy a couple of Pelicans a mountain dew,, I'm sure they'd love to hear from you.
T

Chris,

There are not any roads going from Santa Fe to Carson City (unless you are taking really small back ones) that do not go through Gallup, Flagstaff, Vegas and up that way that I know of.

If you are coming through Flagstaff, let us know and some of us may meet you there for lunch or dinner!

Joe

Grady,
Chris/Charles just called me.. They are just outside Amerillo Tx and need to make a decision soon ( going to overnight there). They want to know there will be a group to meet in Pueblo or Co Springs if they get there Sat night.. Can you post/call/email them ??
Todd

I just talked to the guys. They are just East of Amarillo and will spend the night there (with internet access).

Here is some Grand Canyon Info. I’ll call the reservations number about 7 AM MDT and check on availability and then call your cell.

Mule Trips & Tours
Trips
For those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, we offer two guided trips using a time-honored method of canyon transportation: the sure-footed mule.
One-Day Trips

The one-day, 7-hour Plateau Point ride departs daily from the Stone Corral at the head of Bright Angel Trail and is a challenging trip.
Brief stops are made to rest the mules every 30-45 minutes, during which time it is possible to take pictures but not dismount. Water and restroom facilities are available at Indian Garden, about 2.5 hours down the trail. Following a 15-20 minute rest stop at Indian Garden, the trip proceeds across the Tonto Plateau to Plateau Point, offering riders a dramatic and panoramic view of the Canyon and the Colorado River 1,300 feet below. The trip returns up Bright Angel Trail requiring another 2.5 to 3 hours. You will be back to the Stone Corral by mid-afternoon.
A box lunch is included. $148.35 including tax, per person.

I haven’t checked availability yet.
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/general-information-717.html
I would take 1-2 liters of water and trail snacks. Hat, sunscreen, rain wear, etc. A cheep kid’s backpack from Flagstaff is useful. Buy everything you will need in Flagstaff as everything North is Park or Native American rip-off the tourist.


The big old El Tovar hotel on the canyon rim is full for Saturday night but available Sunday night. ($142, 2 beds). The search didn’t find any in-park reservations for Saturday night.
Phone: 928-638-2631
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/Lodging-Overview-411.html

Air tours are $99 ea and available.
http://www.grandcanyonairlines.com/gca/home.aspx?lang=en-US
The little airport is just outside the park on the road from Flagstaff.


You might consider staying along I-40 Saturday night (Flagstaff), tour the park Sunday and a night Sunday in El Tovar. Ask for Teddy Roosevelt’s bed (or better yet Albert Einstein).

As I said, this is the best time of year. You couldn’t possibly roll in like this and get reservations in the summer.
Leaving the park you have to go back down to I-40 (don’t take the back roads through Indian Territory – that isn’t part of the USA.) From Kingman you then go NW on US-93 to Lost Wages and continue NW on US-95. Your decision then will be to stay in Nevada or cross into Death Valley NP in California. You can traverse Death Valley on CA-190 and then pick up US-395 to Carson City. This is a spectacular (and desolate) route with Sequoia and Yosemite on the way.

Best,
Grady

Hi guys,
Ryan was a wonderful host. Wish I could have been more "there". I've got some sort of cold so I took Nyquil and slept all day to the gentle whoosh of the big dog punching a hole through the air punctuated by warnings from the radar detector - a detector with a speech impediment. When it would detect something it would say something like "WRNING JBRWOCKY, wocky." At least that's what it sounds like. Charles said the speech chip it got fried by an airport X-ray machine he thinks.
-Chris

"Its the Chris and Charles Comedy Hour!"
 

Grady thanks for that serious beta!! Will discuss over with Chris on what options make the most sense. I might just run down the canyon and back up, brought my trail shoes with me... Chris might need the down time to clear this cold up.

Either way, awesome info to work off of!!!!

Joeaska! We are rolling into Flagstaff for dinner saturday! :D Hope we get to meet a few of you folks!! Hope there is a good place to eat there! As Bigchillcar will attest Chris likes his meat "rair" :D And doesn't mind the ladies to be scantily clad. heheheehee

Btw, that picture of ryan's girl doesn't do her justice, my eyes kept drifting south, she's got stuff that just doesn't quit. http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/devil.gif

Well off to bed... I drove the whole way, chris had to get some beauty rest and recharge his batteries...

Cheers!

Go to bed Chris!!! Hey did you hear abotu the guy who took Nyquil and woke up to find his roomate dead and he was covered in blood holding a knife?? Oh wait that was a movie I saw,, never mind.. sweet dreams....

Nice.... Now I will be up all night staring at chris.. ugh.

BTW sweet pix of the girls, I hope you intro us when we roll/drag/stumble into Tahoe :D

Dude, those are S. Cal chicks from the home office Pelicans I just lifted it off an old thread !!
You'd better take the spork out of Chris' hands before you go to sleep

"this is the best time of year" when i do all my rides. I've done a lot of them.

The SW feels alive now. Soon it'll be looking dried out.


especially for a Canyon mule ride. I've spoke to plenty of hd outdoor guys who say it's one of the best in the US. It's in the same league as visiting the Galapagos without the water. Different wildlife but it's still exotic.


oh yeah.. if i had to hang over on a weekend night I'd scoot down to party female loaded Lake Havasu area at the Calif/Ariz border. Bikinis and less in the cafes down at the marina during the day. Gin mills at night are great. It's pretty quiet during the week.

Well, Airdale Targa has GI distress so I’m up.

OK, Amarillo to Flagstaff.

WestTex-EastNMex – probably best before dawn, not much to
see. When driving along here in a 911, it is instructive to
imagine yourself in 1840 on the Santa Fe trail (actually slightly
north) with an ox drawn wagon. I think 20 miles in a day was
good time. Water? What water? WiFi? Not likely. Cell
reception, only maybe. Sorta like I-70 Western Kansas to
Eastern Colorado.


Depending on your time, lunch in Santa Fe Square would be nice.

Exit I-40 at NM Exit 218, take US-285 54 mi to Santa Fe. Return
to I-40 via I-25 to Albuquerque. Old Santa Fe is a special place.
We have a PCA event there each May.
http://www.santafe.org/

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175932546.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175932690.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175932773.jpg

A side trip to Santa Fe adds about 60 miles and an hour of
travel. A 2-hour lunch, priceless. If interested, I’ll find the
right place and map/directions so you don’t waste time.
There even might be a Pelican. :D

Here is Old Santa Fe Square
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175932837.jpg

“Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States.
It was established as the capital of a new territory for Spain
in 1598. From 1598 to 1814, Santa Fe was part of the Spanish
Empire. From 1814 to 1846, Santa Fe became a part of Mexico.
During the Mexican-American War, Santa Fe became a part of
the United States. Today, Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico
and is a popular tourist destination.”



West of Albuquerque is Sandia Race Track.
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/
Today is a SMRI track day if you like bikes:
http://www.smri-racing.org/

Directions (about 5 minutes from I-40):
I-40 west to the Paseo Del Volcan Exit.149
Turn left and cross Central Ave.
Turn right on the frontage road and head west for four miles.
Turn left at the stop sign, Shelly Rd., and head south.
The Musco lights should be visible from the road.
At the stop sign, Speedway Blvd., turn right and then pull into the gate on your left.



I-40 AZ Exit 311 is Painted Desert and Petrified Forrest NP.
http://www.nps.gov/pefo/
I can spend a day+ here.


An easy stop might be Meteor Crater just west of Winslow, I-40
AZ.Exit 233, go south a few miles.
http://www.meteorcrater.com/index.php
If this happens today, the effects would be global – and this was small.

Along I-40 there are stretches of abandoned US-66, the old “Route 66” is still 1920s concrete – the first paved road west.

At 6910 ft, Flagstaff will be close to your “High point” thus far.
Exit 201 and take old “Rt 66” for all the motels. In the morning,
take US-180 to AZ-64 and N into the park. The little airport is
on your left just before the park entrance.



There is SO MUCH interesting in the US, streaking buy on the
Interstate doesn’t do justice to living here. One thing I am
very thankful for is my parents dragged me and my brothers
all across the country when we were kids. I have done the
same with mine. Even as adults we need to continue the
adventures.

These cross-country Porsche trips shouldn’t be land-speed-record
attempts but a chance to see where we live. Kudos to Pelicans
ChrisBennet and HWgeek for giving us this vicariously
travel.

We also should be encouraging our world Pelican community to
travel the US. With our connections, Porsche enthusiasts can
find friends everywhere.

Best,
Grady

Don't worry Todd. If your car gets' wrecked at the track, we'll just have to secretly build you a new one. It's not like we haven't done it before, right?

SmileWavy

We're outta here, its frickin' snowin' out!!!! GRabbing b-fast and going towards santa fe for lunch!

Charles

I’m glad I got wake-up call duty. The guys were wasting driving time. At least Chris feels better.

Weather report:
Amarillo – 26F now, snow, high 29F
Tucumcari - 27F now, cloudy, high 29, snow
Santa Rosa – 27F now, cloudy, high 38F, rain/snow
Santa Fe – 29F now, cloudy, high 37F, rain/snow
Albuquerque – 34F, now cloudy, hi 52
Winslow – 55F, now sunny, hi 76F, PC
Flagstaff – 30F, sunny, high 63, showers PM
Grand Canyon – tomorrow hi 59F, scattered T-storms, wind, precip 30%

I’ll post restaurants in Old Santa Fe Square (and better maps than my mid-night adventures with pets.)

Later today I’ll call and see about Canyon flying conditions forecast.
With it cool, this is ideal for a mule trip. Call 928-638-3283 for reservation.

Best,
Grady

Looks like You may be guests in Texas longer than anticipated.

Amarillo is forecast for 3-4” but you should be out of it before Santa Fe.

It looks like I-40 in East NM has accident road closure. I’ll find out more and call.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1175958447.jpg

Best,
Grady