Howdy, cutting buddies!
I've been getting very excited about this unofficial opening for a while now - two years in fact. That's right! I was excited about it a good twelve months before I even thought of Unofficial Openings but it took me a while to pluck up the courage (And save the money) to journey to the greatest wonder in the world and lucky old me because fortunately I wasn't the only one there. But where was I? Well here's a lovely couple called Dean and Trula and I think the backdrop gives it away a little...
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| The lovely Dean and Trula |
Of course it does! I was only readying myself to unofficially open THE GRAND CANYON! But hang on, scissor-lovers, how was I going to get
enough ribbon to get across there! Obviously I had to improvise a little for the greatest wonder in the world and so I cued up unofficial photographer (And travelling mate for this trip) Steve, positioned the lovely (and willing) ribbon holders and snips away! It was open!
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| Hold that camera steady, Steve - this is the big one! |
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| Good lad! |
Now that was of course a classic opening at a classic venue - but it was
a bit touristy, since it was taken at Mather Point, the official viewing gallery for The Grand Canyon at GC Village itself. I wanted something a little different and Steve's chance meeting with a Hopi Indian called Bernie in a bar called "Porky's" in Flagstaff, Arizona had led to him telling us about THE best place to see The Grand Canyon on the South Rim, namely, Shoshone point. Flagstaff is on Route 66 and I have to admit I was rather hoping I would bump into Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, The Cramps or any of the other great bands who have crooned so lovingly about America's favourite highway but I was out of luck. Fortunately Bernie was staying focused. When he told us about it we said "ShoshoME where it is then!". He showed us. It's a couple of miles East of the "accepted" viewing point and involves a mile long hike uphill through woods! Well at 7000 feet above sea level I was a little bit concerned about my ability to make the journey, scissor fans, and certainly the gateway to the woods was a bit more than my trusty snippers could handle
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| I think I would have needed bolt cutters to unofficially open THIS bad boy... |
But undeterred, we trekked on and I have to say, it was worth the hike. Here is me at Shoshone Point, absolutely in awe of the natural splendour and beautiful surroundings that I found myself in...
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| What a great spot! All it needs is a couple of ribbon holders... |
...The problem with remote, secret and amazing viewing points is that they tend not to have anyone else there and we had to wait quite a while before fellow
canyon gawpers Lindsey and Chantel turned up. When they did we quickly persuaded them to hold onto the ribbon for the
ultimate unofficial opening but DISASTER! I'd run out of the bloody stuff, opening chums! Quel Dommage!
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| Oh woe! I'm devastated! But look at Lindsey and Chantel smiling away - I don't think they realise the gravity of the situation... |
Still, you can't have everything in this life and I just had to promise myself that next time I would be better prepared. I know I'm my own worst taskmaster, but it wouldn't be
Unofficial Openings if I wasn't. Check back soon, you scissory cavaliers... And tell your friends about Unofficial Openings!
Click the link above to see a load of other blogs, mostly about poor parenting and lipstick.
Sounds like a great adventure. Some of my most favorite trips as a child were with my dad. He never liked the main roads...choose the back roads. I have to say I find my self doing the same thing as a grown up. It is often the places less traveled that are the most fun! -LV
ReplyDeleteYes it's normally the road less traveled that I get arrested on.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! That looks like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique theme for your site. I think I read one other but didn't get it at the time that it is your particular vision. I like it. Nice post. Where will you go next. I'll have to return to find out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie - Glad you liked it. Oh the next one's on a different continent and an entirely different theme. I get about...
ReplyDeleteHah, love that you set your sights on the Grand Canyon!
ReplyDeleteWell to be honest I didn't think I'd ever get there. It's not my favourite opening though - that was my dad's birthday, if only to see what my nephew Matthew did with the ribbon.
ReplyDeleteHahah very cool! Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks - I have to hand that to my mate Steve though. I was just the idiot holding the scissors.
ReplyDeleteYou guys sure do know how to have A LOT of fun! What an adventure huh? :)
ReplyDeleteWell it was do that or go bowling.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great off-the-beaten-path spot. I definitely prefer the less touristy, more natural sides of state parks and the like.
ReplyDeleteHilarious. I should have thought of the red ribbon cutting thing. Instead, we have a plastic meerkat that we take with us on vacations. His name is Manny. And we take his picture doing vacation-type stuff. It's fun. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing place,Katie. Oh and Abby - Is there a link to shots of Manny? I'd love to know where he's been!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to the Grand Canyon and would love to do so. I'll have to remember Shoshone Point if or when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteDo it! You can get a map from the tourist information in the GC village. You won't be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteHysterical - love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna - have I just spotted you're doing Route 66 in 2013? You DEFINITELY want to do the Seligman to Kingman route through Arizona - and stop off at The Roadkill Cafe!
ReplyDeleteNow, THAT is an opening right there. I especially like the non-touristy mug shots...I mean pics.
ReplyDeleteNo I think "mug shots" is reasonable...
ReplyDelete"I don't think they realise the gravity of the situation..." Loved that!
ReplyDeleteWell honestly, some people just don't take unofficial opening seriously enough. it's a downright insult when they stand there grinning like Cheshire Cats whilst a little piece of me dies inside because I am at THE ULTIMATE opening spot on the planet and I'm bloody ribbonless.
DeleteWhat fun! I am glad you found your perfect spot! It is so like me to do something like that and then forget the blooming ribbon that I feel a certain degree of kinship here. Funny. Erin
ReplyDeleteWelcome to an exclusive club...
DeleteGreat premise or a travel blog! It makes me want to carry tape!
ReplyDeleteOi! I've got that going down, Wily - come up with your own quirky and refreshing yet at the same time puerile for a man of your age idea. I also skim-read your comment initially and thought you had written "Great penis". I was about to thank you...
ReplyDeleteGreat post! And those photos could tell a story all on their own. Fun and absolutely gorgeous scenery!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much! I just wish it had been a bit more ribbony.
ReplyDelete