Hoover Dam (CLOSED!), Route 66 & Grand Canyon

Day two of our trip started off early – 7 am. Liz and I are definitely morning people (which proved to be helpful as we were able to avoid some of the large crowds) and after packing up, we set out to see the Hoover Dam. We were especially excited to see it since we had people tell us how worthwhile it was to stop and check it out. We knew ahead of time that because of COVID the tours that take you inside the dam would not be available. Unfortunately, when we turned down the road to get to the dam, security guards turned us around and told us the dam was closed! While we were disappointed that we couldn’t see the Hoover Dam, it would end up being the only time we were unable to visit one of the places on our itinerary due to COVID. 

So, we set out for the next destination. We hopped on the world-famous Route 66 near Kingman, AZ and drove a few hours to Williams, AZ on the south side of the Grand Canyon. Being from the southeast of the US, seeing the different type of landscape and plants and animals was neat for the both of us. Liz has never traveled out west – which was apparent when she almost didn’t believe me when I told her tumbleweeds were a real thing! It wasn’t until I was finally able to point one out that I think she was convinced. While Route 66 isn’t the most exciting or beautiful drive, it simply is something you have to do as a tourist. On the way, be sure to check out Seligman, AZ, the birthplace of Route 66! 

We got to Williams, AZ around lunch time and had lunch at The Little Chicken Spot, a little place right in downtown. The 5-star review on Yelp led us there and after meeting the owner and tasting the food we understood why it was 5-stars! We checked in to our hotel at the Red Roof Inn Plus and afterwards drove north about 30-minutes to the south entrance of the Grand Canyon. We pulled off at the first scenic overlook and stood amazed at the width and depth of this masterpiece of creation. Words and pictures can never capture the immensity of the Grand Canyon’s beauty! Liz and I proceeded to drive all along the south rim to get out and see a different side of the canyon at every pull-out. While there were some closures along the south rim (probably 1/3 of the road on the east side was closed) we were still able to see most of what we wanted to. We took plenty of pictures, saw a few elk and some of the friendliest squirrels and headed back to Williams to eat a great steak dinner at Rod’s Steakhouse. The next day we were able to shop around town before traveling up to Utah.