The days approaching the Grand Canyon Star Party were restless with anticipation. I woke early Saturday morning shortly after midnight as started to pack and make final preparations. After a last minute shopping trip, fueling Terra and taking my dog to a friends house, I returned home and loaded everything up into my truck. I hit the road at 9:48am. Temperatures were in the lower 80’s with a bright blue sky and slight breezes.
The first 20 mile leg is always the most stressful just leaving the city. I crossed Hover Dam and was surprised the guards did not question me about my load as they had in the past. The next 20 miles was spent driving the hilly road stuck behind motor homes and slower moving vehicles. Finally the road opens up into a huge, wide basin and I arrived in Kingman with 103 miles under my belt. Seeing it was noon, I stopped for lunch. My slight breezes had picked up to a strong, steady wind.
At 2pm, I arrived in Williams with 212 miles logged.The area was as beautiful as ever even though the beetles are still continuing to wreak their havoc on the pine trees. Temperatures are in the mid 70’s and the town was full of motorcycle riders. Most of them were parked along the main drag and I temporarily got lost while looking at them all.
I finally got my bearings and continued down the correct road. The first 6 miles of the road was lined with tall ponderosa pines but then opens up to relatively flat terrain.
Along the way I passed a little town that had a classic airplane museum in it. A few of the vintage planes were up and flying low over the road and buzzing a crowd near the runway.
