This has to be one of my most exhausting trips to the states ever. I was only here for five days but I covered so much ground that you would have thought I had been here for 2 weeks.  A trip well worth making.

Phoenix has an appeal that will suit everyone, whether it is for business or for tourists. It's very relaxed and the weather is most definitely an incentive. I was only based in Phoenix so unfortunately I didn't get to see too much of it but I can see the attraction.  It is very relaxed and runs at a slow pace.  For me it was great because it allowed me to travel to other places and that didn't take up too much of my time.

Sedona

Our time in Sedona was short, but it was long enough to know why it is called `Red Rock Country'. The views are amazing. We took what I can only describe as an exhilarating rock climb through the red rock formations.  We took a trip with `Pink Jeep Tours' and our tour guide who was known as Brian  was Scottish, but we wont hold that against him ha ha!  .. he was very informative, very humorous and really did make our journey memorable. I suppose because I am English I was able to understand his accent but also on our jeep tour were French Canadians and Americans who I am not so sure understood all of his humour ha ha!

Grand Canyon

Before I came here to the Grand Canyon, I kept being told why I wanted to go and visit `Just a hole in the ground?'

Well let me tell you this....

It has to be the world's most famous hole in the ground!!!!  Five million years old, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River covers 1,904 square miles.

President Theodore Roosevelt said of it: "Leave it as it is; you cannot improve on it; not a bit," and five million people visit it every year to find out if he was right, I have to agree with him on this one.
 

The Lay of the Land

It helps if you understand the geography before you visit The Grand. The national park follows the path of the Colorado River through northwest Arizona. There are two major entry points, one on each rim of the canyon, north and south. The South Rim is the more famous, easily accessible and due to its popularity it is very crowded in summer. The North Rim is closed by snow in winter, and is much less crowded any time of year that it's open, and the perfect place to see a fantastic sunset, I was very fortunate that I had that chance.

The extreme depth and size of the canyon falsely give the impression that its rim is at sea level, with the river running far below. While the river is over 4,000 feet below the South Rim, it is at 2,480 feet above sea level. The rims are both over a mile high. As I said one spectacular sight and not just another whole in the ground ha ha ha ha!!

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is by far a subtle town.  I arrived there late into the evening and my first view of the strip was from the top of a hill.  Looking down it has to be one of the most amazing ray of lights I have ever seen.  There is non stop activity, the city is buzzing all night and all day. I drove around the town to try and get an idea of what Las Vegas was all about and I was just in awe of the City.

As you drive around you will see so many sights and have a great problem taking in all of the sights so maybe it is a good idea to research it before you visit and get an idea of the layout of Las Vegas, for instance you will see a volcano erupting in front of the Mirage, pirates firing cannons in front of Treasure Island, and a sea of fountains are orchestrated to music in front of Bellagio, and believe me that is nothing to what else you will see when you visit. Get plenty of sleep in before you visit you will need the energy to tour and absorb the atmosphere that is buzzing here.
 

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is considered to be one of the top construction achievements of the 21st century. It is a massive and impressive structure which took less than five years to complete. Construction of the Hoover Dam began in this harsh physical environment in 1931. The economic environment was also harsh at that time during the United States' Great Depression. The project delivered jobs and growth to the area. Many workers, though, lost their lives in the perilous conditions.


Hoover Dam Stats & Facts:

Height - 726.4 feet Width - 1,244 feet Weight - 6.6 million tons

Reservoir Shoreline - 550 miles Reservoir Max Depth - 550 feet

Concrete Used - 4,440,000 cubic yards Explosives Used - 6,500,000 pounds

Lake Mead is the large reservoir formed by Hoover Dam. It stores the equivalent of two years' flow of the Colorado River at any given time. Boating, water skiing, fishing, and lake cruises are available. Lake Mead stretches out in the area desert with a 550 mile shoreline
 

 

 

Lake Havasu

One of Lake Havasu's most celebrated attractions is the 161-year-old London Bridge, the world's largest antique. Tourists worldwide flock to view the granite span brought to Lake Havasu by industrialist Robert P. McCulloch Sr., who founded Lake Havasu in 1964. McCulloch purchased the 10,000-ton London Bridge, which spanned the Thames River for 148 years on April 17, 1968, for a cost of $2,460,000.

Lake Havasu City has long been known as America's home for the London Bridge. Purchased in England, and reassembled in Lake Havasu City, the London Bridge has become one of Arizona's most unique tourist attractions.
 

Located beneath the bridge is the English Village. For many visitors, the English Village will be their first stop for a picture of the London Bridge, and to browse the many shops, restaurants, and night clubs lining the manmade channel beneath its arches.
 

 

I had breakfast on the waterfront and met up with a lovely couple who I am now in contact via email.  The internet is a wonderful tool when it helps to keep up with friends all around the world. I could have quite easily have spent the whole day here but as time was ticking by and I had to go back to Phoenix and begin my packing a morning had to suffice.  Wonderful place for anyone to visit, marks out of 10 .  I would rate it 10/10.