Tuesday 16th Sept. Had a wonderful day today at the south rim of grand canyon. Watched a condor soaring over, it was being mocked by 4 crows at one point. It was a magical hour as we watched it, lost it and found it again. It covered so much space and looked massive even with the Grand Canyon as a backdrop. The canyon is so big 277 miles long and 18 miles wide not counting the side canyons. The condor made it seem quite small just gliding over high areas. Absoutely wonderful. The canyon itself was spectacular also and cannot wait to do some more exploring tomorrow but car was playing up so went back to hotel to phone dollar. It is sorted it was just dust from the Indian Reservation yesterday Went to the imax cinema this evening to see the national geographic film on the canyon then went to the best steak house in tusayan.

Wednesday 17th got up early and went straight back to grand canyon. attended a lecture on geology which was very interesting and good fun. Spent day walking and viewing bits, went up watch tower at dessert view which is well worth a visit on its own. fantastic day. Saw a deer, coyete, more young condors loads of crows and a hawk. We are getting quite good at nature spotting. Drove to a town called kanab and pulled into a motel, didnt realise it was called son of sam motel. Might have thought twice about staying had i seen the name the night before.

Drove through some beautiful cowboy country

We have been in four states now California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.

Went to visitors center at Bryce Canyon then went to do the Navajo Loop walk. Got about 20ft down and Robin who had run ahead just round the corner started screaming. My immediate thought was snake bite, fortunately it was only a wasp sting but robin refused to hike any more that day so we just walked the viewpoints. I thought bryce canyon would be dissapointing after the grand canyon but it is spectacular though much younger than the grand. Am looking forward to doin the hike tomorrow as all the canyon is like a fairytale castle with spires, gargoyles and pretty bits.

Saw ravens, deer, chipmunks galore and a lizard.

Staying in Penguitch tonight. Went for a walk and picked up a small package in a shop which said 'snake eggs' Was just asking jim, why in the world would they sell something as dangerous as snake eggs, when the package moved and made a noise. Well I threw that packet across the shop and screamed like a girl. Of course robin and jim laughed as loud and long as could be! I am not going in any more indian novelty shops!! Never.

Am getting so that i would love to spend more than one night in the same place but there is so much to see and do its difficult not to move on. Death Valley next but first more bryce canyon.

Friday 19th Sept Had a lovely dinner last night with John Wayne stood in the corner. Apparently they made most of the john wayne westerns around here so loads of shops selling cowboy and indian stuff but after the snake egg fiasco i am never going to enter another shop. Got up early this morning and went to Bryce canyon. Did the sunset and javajo trails and it rained! It took us about 3 hours to walk but it was well worth the effort. I took some wonderful photos, it was an amazing place. Went to Fairyland canyon after and it is very much like its name. Jim went fishing in the afternoon (as our legs were aching) Robin and Jim caught a big fat 00 ! It was still very beautiful by the lake though and we saw lots of jays, chipmunks, cattle, deer , magpies etc. Lovely happy days.

Sat 20th Sept

Went to a rodeo!!!! Stopped at a town (will look up the name, forgot to write down) just for lunch and to get photos developed and saw a sign. Had to go!!! Real cowboys. I had great fun and even jim enjoyed himself. Delayed us getting to Death Valley but not for long, will do some tomorrow, we are staying very near.

Sunday 21st Sept spent a fantastic day at death valley, was out of hotel and in the valley by 9am . Went to Dante's View first, absoutely fantastic, from our high vantage point you could see right down death valley, the salt flats and the sand dunes. Well worth the climb, though very hot here. Stopped at some spectacular points and finished at scottys castle, am going to send home the booklets with the maps so that i can remember where i went in years to come. Every day is brilliant though we have done over 2and1/2thousand miles so far.