Day 4
We decided to not to get up and watch the sun rise and got up about 7:00 am. I had a very sore throat, sinus drainage and a cough. I wasn't feeling very well, my allergies were in high gear, but I wasn't going to let it spoil our day.
Our choice of breakfast venue was El Tovar. It was not crowded at all and we walked right in.
I had read how terrific this place was to eat at and the historic value was right up there. As far as the food, well, not so much. I would have enjoyed a meal at IHOP just as well.
The service was good and our coffee cups were kept filled. Joe's dish consisted of a very large pancake, eggs, bacon, potatos and ham. I had a two egg meal with bacon, potatos and toast. Everything was okay but the potatos. They were so dried out and covered in herbs. I know that you don't go to the Grand Canyon for the cuisine but when you read such favorable reviews, you expect more. Oh well......it was filling.
After breakfast we toured the gift shop and headed back to our room to pack up and load the car. We left the car where it was and checked out of the Lodge.
From there we walked west to tour as much of the Hermits Rest trail as we could. We skipped the Lookout Studio and Kolb Studio since we were short on time.
We decided not to ride a shuttle to start the Hermits Rest trail and began walking it not realizing that the trail to the Trailview Overlook was all uphill. Not a good situation for me with my cough. Seven tenths of a mile took a lot longer than it should have is all I can say but there were some gorgeous views along the way and lots of places to see different parts of the beginning of the Bright Angel Trail.
Well, we finally made it to the Trailview Overlook and decided to ride the shuttle to Powell Point. While we were sitting there, a herd of Mule deer wandered through the woods across the street.
Once the shuttle arrived, it was a quick trip to Powell Point. Looking at the time, we decided we would explore this location and then head back to our car. It was a gorgeous day and the views were awesome. We really regretted our decision to only stay one night.
The shuttle dropped us close to Bright Angel Lodge and we thought we should explore it before we left. There we found out where the restaurant was that we should have ate at the night before.
While we were driving out of the park, we saw deer several times. I wasn't feeling very well and couldn't talk much because I would begin coughing. We took Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman. I had wanted to stop in Seligman for lunch but Joe wasn't hungry and I didn't feel up to it so we drove on.
I like the drive on Route 66 much better than I40. It was just a little more scenic and we avoided the large forest of cedar trees which I think caused my allergies to stir up. Every now and then you would see signs that had two words each on them, one sign following another every so many feet and the last one reading Brill Creme.
In Kingman, we stopped for gas and something to eat. I had wanted to eat only at restaurants that weren't available at home but McDonald's was handy and I didn't feel good. After a Big Mac, Joe drove me over to a Super KMart for some medicine which helped out a lot.
Our drive the rest of the way was mostly uneventful. There was quite a bit of traffic, the first for our trip, once we passed the Hoover Dam area but it was due to road construction.
We made our way to the Mirage and handed our car off to the valet. There is a lovely atrium when you walk in. The wait was short at check in. I had reserved a strip view King Suite. The check in person asked if I was interested in any of the upgrades. I asked what they were and she mentioned she could put us in a Deluxe King Suite for just $20 more a night. The perks were a larger bath room and a floor dedicated elevator. We said, sure, why not. Then she took $10 off each night which was nice. I should have tipped her, I guess, but didn't think about it until later.
Our room was just the ticket and looking out the window, realized that at the Mirage, every room is a strip view room for the most part with the way the building was shaped. And she was not kidding about the size of the bathroom. Wow!!!
After freshing up our travel stained selves, we headed out to the strip to look for a place to eat dinner. On our first day in Vegas when we were given a quick tour, I could have swore I saw a hot dog place very close to the Mirage. Well, we couldn't find it for the life of us. Joe thought he remembered it being in the Forum shops. We had wanted to eat at this particular place because it had been shown in a PBS special about hot dogs.
We finally gave up searching for the hot dog place and walked to the Bellagio Fountains for a show. We lucked out and quickly got a spot almost in the center. It was so pretty.
When the show was over we walked south for a little ways and then headed back to the Mirage. We were just dead on our feet and very hungry at this point.
By the time we got back to the Mirage, the buffet was close to shutting down. We thought BB Kings but it was way too loud with a band playing. California Kitchen had a very short line and we got in it. After a short wait, we were seated in a booth. Boy! Was it good to sit down. We ordered a pizza to share and enjoyed it immensely.
Dinner gave us some energy and we decided to play the slots for awhile. Joe and I have different playing strategies. He puts some money in, plays a while and then cashes out. I on the other hand, play until the moneys gone or win big.
We sort of wander away from each other and I found the Goldfish machine. I stick a ten in and after a couple of plays win $50. Then I cashed out. Joe broke even for the night.
We called it a night and slept well. The bed was most comfortable!