{"id":13799,"date":"2018-02-11T05:48:58","date_gmt":"2018-02-11T05:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=13799"},"modified":"2018-02-22T09:15:43","modified_gmt":"2018-02-22T09:15:43","slug":"interesting-road-trip-from-las-veges-to-grand-canyon-west-rim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2018\/02\/interesting-road-trip-from-las-veges-to-grand-canyon-west-rim\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Interesting Sites From Road Trip Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim That You Should Look Out!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Road<\/a><\/p>\n

While in Las Vegas, tourists would normally go Grand Canyon.\u00a0 There are two viewing point, one at South Rim and West Rim<\/a>.\u00a0 West Rim is closer to Las Vegas, about 3 hours drive from the Strip Vegas.\u00a0 \u00a0South Rim has a better scenic view but it is longer time to reach 4-5 hours drive.\u00a0 Due to the weather condition in winter ( ice may accumulate near the mountain area), we have decided to change to West Rim (2.5 hrs) Grand Canyon.\u00a0 Well, at least it is better than no Grand Canyon at all.<\/p>\n

\"Road<\/a><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Arizona Last Stop\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We went in for a break at the Arizona Last Stop, along Highway 93, opposite of the way toward Grand Canyon West Rim.\u00a0 We made a U turn and had a break there.\u00a0 I was surprised to find out so many interesting activities in this place.\u00a0 Outdoor Shooting Range, Monster Truck Ride & plenty of photo opportunities.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Outdoor Shooting Range<\/strong><\/p>\n

After we get off the car, we heard loud shot, sound like fire crackers.\u00a0 Then only realized there is outdoor shooting range beside the service area.<\/p>\n

\"Shooting<\/a><\/p>\n

Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Extreme adventure : Monster Truck Ride<\/strong><\/p>\n

The wheels are super huge, I should stand there then you will know how big these monster wheels are, taller than me.\u00a0 The monster truck will bring you to the desert ride.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Gun for Sales at Mini Mart Gas Station<\/strong><\/p>\n

We wanted some drinks and used the toilet so went in to the mini mart, shocked to see guns were displayed at the counter.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Scorpion Suckers Candy<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the mini mart, I also discovered interesting insects suckers candy.\u00a0\u00a0Cubes of translucent red, yellow, orange, or blue candy and flavoring on a stick\u2014each one with a crunchy and dead surprise inside.\u00a0 Usually displayed at the counter for tourists who are going to Grand Canyon.<\/p>\n

\"Scorpion<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Scorpion<\/a><\/p>\n

Fancy Texas Boot\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

The Usual Drinks corner<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Drinks cost about USD $ 3 to 5 dollars, depending on the size.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Route 66 & Route 99 Souvenirs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Route 66 is iconic because it is also known as the Mother Road which was established in 1926.\u00a0 However Route 66 is not longer exist.<\/p>\n

Route 99 is also another famous highway route, is historical route, known as\u00a0Main Street of California.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

All types of knives<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Zoltar – Fortune Teller Machine<\/strong><\/p>\n

I saw this thing on TV, especially on American drama.\u00a0 Zoltar in Greek means “life”.\u00a0 Just slot in some money and Zoltar will tell you about your destiny.\u00a0 There will be a card popping out at the end.\u00a0 You can read about your destiny in detail from the card.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Rambo Murals<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Freaking Alien Murals<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Area 51<\/strong><\/p>\n

Area 51 was seen painted at one of the store at Last Stop Arizona.\u00a0 Of course this is not the real Area 51.<\/p>\n

Area 51 is located about 130 km away from Las Vegas, a remote area for the air force base.\u00a0 Rumour said some unidentified objects \/UFO were seen flying near area 51 in 1955.<\/p>\n

\"Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

Arizona State sits next to California & Nevada State.\u00a0 Arizona state has nickname “The Grand Canyon State” Or “The Copper State” because of plenty of minerals.\u00a0 Calling Arizona ” The Grand Canyon State” because the natural wonder is at this state.\u00a0 Arizona State used to be part of Mexico so Mexican food is very popular here, such as Burritos.<\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

2.Dolan Springs, a small town in Arizona<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a small town that you will pass by before entering Grand Canyon West Rim.\u00a0 The town is called Dolan Springs.\u00a0 I was curious and wonder why there are residents living in this place.\u00a0 What I can see, the condition is pretty harsh.\u00a0Most of the homes here are ramshackle and unkempt!\u00a0 Pretty interesting site for me who came from Asia.<\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

Sellers on the roadside for Grand Canyon tourist<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

Once you enter Dolan Springs, the traffic is two way toward Grand Canyon West Rim.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There is no agriculture, mining, industry or traffic in this rural desert area. The area is beautiful but to live here as a residents make me think twice. There are electricity poles but not sure about the water here?<\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

Double Market<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Double<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

Family Dollar Stores<\/strong><\/p>\n

The one and only Mini-mart in the small town, not sure this is for tourists or for 4,000 residents here?<\/p>\n

\"Family<\/a><\/p>\n

Antique Store<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Antique<\/a><\/p>\n

Canyon Cafe<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are table & seat outside the Cafe but this desert area is very dusty.<\/p>\n

\"Canyon<\/a><\/p>\n

Hot Diggety Dog<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are not many choices of eatery place after you enter Dolan Springs, Hot Diggety Dog serve sandwiches & hot dogs & some sweet stuff.<\/p>\n

\"Hot<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fire<\/a><\/p>\n

Mount Tipton School<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wow, there is even school here at Dolan Springs.<\/p>\n

\"School<\/a><\/p>\n

Dolan Springs Indian Trading Post<\/strong><\/p>\n

This red container building sit in the middle of the town of Dolan Springs.\u00a0 Inside you find snacks, drinks & souvenirs.\u00a0 The red building looks bright and stand out from the mountain, you won’t miss out.<\/p>\n

\"Indian<\/a><\/p>\n

Housing in Dolan Springs<\/strong><\/p>\n

The houses are surrounded by cactus plants, Joshua Trees can be seen everywhere.\u00a0\u00a0These place should have lot of poisonous rattlesnakes, scorpions & spiders.<\/p>\n

\"Residents<\/a><\/p>\n

Who will be living here?\u00a0 Probably, some retirees and people who love natures.\u00a0 Air quality should be good but there a lot of flying dust as this place is very sandy.<\/p>\n

\"Mailbox<\/a><\/p>\n

Mail boxes line up at the roadside.<\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

I did not see many livestock in this area, only spotted two to three cows at the side of the road.\u00a0 I don’t think this desert area has enough grass hay to feed the cow.<\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dolan<\/a><\/p>\n

Some tourist just take a stop at a random place to check out the beautiful Joshua Trees, but there is another greater site which better display of the Joshua Trees at\u00a0Grapevine Mesa Joshua Trees Forest!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Grapevine<\/a><\/p>\n

3.Grapevine Mesa Joshua Trees Forest<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Grapevine Mesa Joshua Trees Forest is located even nearer to Grand Canyon West Rim, at Mohave County. The entrance of the Mesa Joshua Trees forest is located at the intersection. You will see many curious tourists pull over to take pictures with this strange looking flora – the taller tree\/cactus that like a tree is called Joshua Tree. You will not see anything like this in California States but only in Arizona near Grand Canyon<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"Grapevine<\/a><\/p>\n

Joshua trees are native to the southwestern United States and grow 3500-4500 feet in elevation in areas with an average rainfall of 9-12 inches per year. There can be some snowfall in the winter months.<\/p>\n

There are some hiking trails\u00a0to check out the incredible natural phenomenon but I was actually worried to bump into the rattlesnakes.<\/p>\n

\"Grapevine<\/a><\/p>\n

Cholla Cactus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cholla is another type of cactus, native to Mexico which has a cylindrical stem. (Refer to picture below)<\/p>\n

\"Grapevine<\/a><\/p>\n

A local selling some stone jewelry near the entrance of\u00a0Grapevine Mesa Joshua Trees Forest.<\/p>\n

\"Grapevine<\/a><\/p>\n

Approaching West Rim, Grand Canyon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Grand<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Grand<\/a><\/p>\n

The colorful rock layers record billion of years of history!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Grand<\/a><\/p>\n

Enjoy a short video clip – almost there but not yet there, to be continue.<\/p>\n