HELICOPTERS, & FLIGHTS

Patty had the day off yesterday, and as she was dropping me off at work, the National Park Service Helicopter was lifting off from it's pad next to our bus yard. This particular helicopter is based here at the Grand Canyon, and is used for a variety of purposes, including search and rescue. There are multiple occasions during each summer when hikers need to be airlifted out of the canyon due to medical emergencies, and for other reasons.

A few days ago, I discovered one of the "locals perks" at the airport with Grand Canyon Airlines.
They offer 40-50 minute fixed wing flights above the Grand Canyon, with a retail cost to the public of $139. As locals, we get the flight for $20! Yesterday was one of Patty's days off, and after dropping me at work, she drove into Tusayan, and got on a 2 o'clock flight over the canyon. She said it was amazing, but unfortunately her camera wasn't cooperating, so no pictures until I have the same opportunity, probably next week.

Yesterday was my "Cover Bus" day, and after sitting on my butt last week for about 7 hours, I was prepared with 3 books this week. Having plenty of reading material on hand, you might know what I'm about to say..............It's kind of like washing your car, and it immediately rains.
Not much sitting yesterday, as the bus was needed to cover a few holes in the system. So, I drove 3 rounds on the Hermits Rest Route, had a short break, then finished the day doing the Village Route.

The weather this week has been almost perfect, with more of the same predicted. It's getting into the mid 70's during the day, and down into the 40's at night. Still haven't had to run the air conditioning on the motor home. When we were looking for a place to either spend the summer parked, or in a travel mode, so far, the Grand Canyon is fitting the bill almost perfectly.

Last summer, our travels in Oregon & Washington provided a lot of relief from the summer heat, especially when we were on the coast. I've been following our Gypsy Journal Buddies, Nick & Terry Russell, who are doing a similar route in the Pacific Northwest this summer. Had it not been for our last minute job offers here at the Canyon, we most likely would have been retracing our path of last year.

On a different subject, we just got word that our friends Bob & Diana Rush closed escrow on their Lake Havasu house, and have started to add some furnishings. We're excited that this winter, we'll have some fun times with them, when they decide to head south from their primary home in Enterprise, OR.