might be wise to start our journey back to our campsite, about an hour and a half’s drive away. We stopped back at the shop with the friendly man to pick up some beers for the night ahead, and it was very nice to be out of Utah, where the Mormon influence had led to the state law prohibiting beer stronger than 3.2%!! Another campfire evening saw my Dad being on top form once again, and we all chuckled ourselves to sleep!

The next morning we hit the diner again for a great breakfast - if there’s one thing the Americans do well it’s fried eggs - they always ask how you want them, and they are always cooked to perfection. Not like in Blighty where you get what you’re given!! Full up, we started our epic journey round the canyon. It’s amazing to think that although the South Rim village is only 11 miles from the North Rim as the crow flies, it’s 280 miles by road!! You have to drive up

to where the canyon starts at Lees Ferry before you can cross the Colorado River. The thunderclouds were in full force today, and at one point we counted no less that 12 separate thunderstorm systems around us!! It was also necessary to stop a couple of times to lash down the tarp which covered the gear on the roof rack!! Once again the scenery was just fabulous - this part of the world really is a very special place!!

We got Mum and Dad checked in to their motel room which was rather plush. Hel and I were very pleased about this as Dad had kindly bought us a night there for after the family left, as they were taking our camping stuff back to England, so camping was out!! We then drove round to the campsite, and after rejecting the site we were given on the grounds that it was sandwiched between two families with 4 kids each, we found a nice flat site in the trees and set up our tents. Not a