June 11 2025 Day 6

June 11, 2025 – North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge – Day 6

 

I just got done having dinner with Pat and Terry, and I have to thank them a ton since they bought my dinner. I’m sitting in the Saloon bar in the North Rim Lodge, but they just called last call and are closing that I’ll have to share this story later when I have time to write. 

 

Ok, I’m back and my day from Monument Valley to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was a great ride. For me and now time to write about it I am more relaxed when on a trip like this when I am just cruising.  When the roads are good, with good directions telling me where to go and good music to listen to, there’s not much better. The roads have been great and many times I feel like I’m the only one on the road and when I do come up on someone no problems giving it a little more throttle and getting by quick. Yep, it is relaxing at least for me and I do have so much other going on in my head on what the day might bring, what I want to get done and just sitting back and taking in everything around me. That was one thing I had thought before leaving on this trip, like usual thinking about how the trip might go and what I should and shouldn’t consider doing on the trip, but my last thought was once I’m cruising, I’m going to be in my happy place and relaxed with no concerns.

 

I get it enough of that. I got an early start after camping for the night, so was up early and most of the RVers were already on their way and the only other camper in my section was already packing up that I got up and started packing myself. It went really well for my first night camping and everything packed on the bike that just time to take a shower and hit the road. It’s only about a 4-hour trip and I didn’t have any stops planned for the way that I should have no problems getting a full day of North Rim Grand Canyon riding. The directions were easy and although I started out the day without a jacket, I did have to put one on the closer to the Canyon I did get. 

 

I was making a few more stops than usual, not so much for gas, but for liquids for me. It does have me thinking I should have a cup holder on the bike, but it just doesn’t look right. At one of my stops where I turned on the road off the highway on to the North Rim, I did get gas and as I pulling away from the pump to stop and go into the convenient store for some liquid, I heard my name and it was Pat and Terry just getting ready to leave to the Visitors center to see what to do in the North Rim. It was great seeing them and did realize they were heading the same direction so great to run into them. At the stop for as hot as it was, I did get myself an Ice cream cone as well as a Gatorade and I like how cold their beverages were. 

 

45 miles to the North Lodge and my first priority will probably be securing some sort of sleeping situation before doing my riding around the North Rim. From this gas stop on my way is where it started getting chilly quick that I did have to make a stop to put on the leather jacket that I’m good to go. The ride was great and even though it was only 45 miles it did take a bit of time because of the curves and such and other slow drivers. Made my way to the entrance and got a picture and I’m good to go with my National Park Pass and Id, that no problems getting in and not having to pay for it on top of that. The entrance did say that the campground was full, but I figured I’d have to make a stop to see if there were any cancelations. When pulling into the campground which is only about a mile before the North Rim Lodge, I had a hard time finding the registration building that I did see a lot of open spots. Once I did find the camping check-in, the guy that the lady was helping was taking so much time figuring out where to hike that she more or less told me no spots yet but check back in case someone cancels.

 

For me, that meant heading to the North Rim Lodge to see what they had, and Pat did mention earlier that there we’re openings when he booked his room since their dates changed from when they were planning on staying. I did happen to pull into where no other vehicles are supposed to be other than buses, but as long as it takes me to the front door, I should be ok. I did talk to the ladies checking in guests on one of them, she said she was new, helped me out well. They did have cabins for over $300, but she did give me a number she suggested I call if I found at the campsite that there weren’t any cancelations, but I decided I might as well call that number now instead of more riding around. Well, calling the number was the right thing to do cuz the lady (should I say younger ladies working the facilities) did say she had a motel room for $160 for the night that now my debate was whether to book it for 2 nights or one. She did say if I booked 2 and decided to leave, I’d lose the cost that better to book one and book another if I stay that I’m sold on that. 

 

We did the reservation and shortly the young newbie was able to help me out with my checking and get me my room key even though it was about an hour before check-in. My room was available, and they had porter services that would take me to the parking area and help me carry my gear to my room. You can’t beat that and in no time, I have a comfortable room for the night and can do more riding around the canyon. 

 

Oh, I did make a reservation in the lodge for dinner after I booked my room and even though it was only for one, me, there was nothing available until 8:30, that I put my name down cuz I have some riding to do first. I was already taking a number of pictures of the canyon, but according to the map there was a Cape Royal Road which hugged that Canyon that I should take which is where I headed. The road had warnings of the curves and I thought it was a great ride, and I compared it to riding Needles highway in South Dakota, you know I have to make those kind of comparisons cuz I’ve ridden the Sturgis rally trails for some 29 years. 

 

Anyway, I loved riding the road and did have to make a view hits of the throttle to get around slow drivers but loved the ride. I made it to the end of the trail and as some people were coming out from it, I asked how far, and they said about a mile hike that I guess I can do that. I started heading down the trail and wouldn’t you know it, I ran into Pat and Terry again, that this time I made sure I got their number. I told them I had a reservation at the logde, but they still had to check in and weren’t sure what they were doing but would stay in contact. I made the way to the end of the loop and took a number of great pictures. There was one spot I stopped to get the Angels picture, a hole thru a rock that one guy on the trail said he could never find, and I did happen to see it and took a pic. The sights are unbelievable around the North Rim and not nearly the congestion that the South Rim deals with. Oh, and when I did show up to the lodge today, apparently their electricity and the generators had been down for days, that they finally got them going just yesterday, that a lot of people left early and upset. 

 

For me more sight-seeing and back to the cabin to eventually shower and get ready for the North Rim Lodge experience. Pat did send me a txt that they had checked in and were going to get pizza and checkout the Saloon. I got my shower in and was able to check-in with Shelley on how things were going and asked her on some help on how to plan some more of my trip coming up. 2 days at each of these stops isn’t a reality that I’m going to have to kill some time in Vegas, I guess not such a bad option.

 

I made my way down to the lodge and have a few hours to blow before dinner that I walked most of the trails around the lodge and took my share of pictures. I did text Pat that I was taking in the view and was going to be eating at 8;30 and that they were more than welcome to join me that he responded that they would be joining me. I update my reservation and while walking around, guess who I ran into sitting on one of the decks? Yep, Pat and Terry that I sat and chatted with them before our reservation was ready. 

 

We had a really good dinner and to my surprise, Pat picked up the bill and said I was retired and they’re still working that they don’ t mind at all. I’ve really enjoyed visiting with them and right now I have it in my calendar to visit them at their cabin when I’m out East in New Hampshire over the 4^th of July week. They are going to be at their cabin which happens to be about 20 minutes from where I’ll be in Lake Chocorua that I’d love to make a trip to visit them.

 

I have to say, a lot happened in one day and it was all good. Wait until tomorrow and depending on how late this bar is open, you just might get the story.