Las Vegas - Day Two: the Glass Skywalk at Grand Canyon West

A review with pictures. In short, it was huge rip-off. At every single stage of the trip to the Hualapai glass skywalk (and thus, Grand Canyon West), the operators charged the most eye-popping, exorbitant fees that tested the very limits of shamelessness. If you go, prepare to feel violated!

The trip began with a drive down US-93 (passing the Hoover Dam) for 70 miles from Las Vegas. Then Pierce Ferry Road for 30 miles, and then finally onto the mostly-unpaved Diamond Bar Road for the remainder, 20 or so miles. The directions were easy enough, but we nearly missed both turns because the roads were not really marked until we reached the very intersection we had to turn in to.

As always, click the image to see it full-size.


I hope you like driving through dust clouds.

This dirt "road" spanned 14 miles. It's raked, but it's still just gravel and sand, and is quite bumpy. There are winding, very sharp turns, and two-way traffic. Thankfully, there wasn't much traffic, but at points, tour buses zoomed passed us and at one particularly sharp downhill turn, a speeding bus nearly smashed into us, despite the fact that we had pre-emptively pulled into the ditch on the side. When following cars, as in the above picture, we were enveloped in a thick dust cloud and had lots of little rocks striking our car (I'm glad we got a rental!). In some spots, the gravel was a little looser than usual, which made for moments when my sister-in-law lost control of the rear wheels - a 4x4 would have been good for this drive. This path lasted about 40 minutes.


Joshua Tree Forest on the way.

However, the rest of the drive was scenic, and the 2.5 hours from Vegas passed quickly.

When we got to the visitor's center/helipad/landing strip, we paid $20 to park our car. We also had to pay $29.95 per person (25% off for kids) for the 5 minute bus ride (the driver also expected gratuities!) to the first point of the canyon. This was the spot with the Glass Skywalk, which cost another $29.95 per person (children ages 4 and up have to pay full price) to enter. We had to place all our bags - and cameras - in lockers.


The Skywalk is not really that impressive.

Cameras are prohibited on the Glass Skywalk, ostensibly to prevent damage to the glass floor. This was obviously BS because the skywalk is advertised to be able to withstand the weight of 71 Million Pounds; to demonstrate the strength of the glass to skeptical visitors, one of the attendants jumped up and down on the glass! If you think that I'm merely whining, consider this: would you really be allowed to walk on a structure that would be damaged from the tiny force of a .5 pound camera falling 2-3 feet? Would you want to walk on such a weak thing? I suspect the real reason that cameras are forbidden is so they can sell their own pictures, for the bargain price of $30 for one single print, or $99 for six prints and the pictures on a flash drive. Alas, we gave in and bought one print.

The glass skywalk itself was unremarkable. After slipping on a pair of disposable shoe slippers, we walked onto the glass. It was a weekday afternoon, so there were only about two dozen visitors, and generally, people fell into one of two categories: those who walked on the clear glass (it's clear, but even at one year old, the glass is already slightly scuffed), and those who clung onto the railing and walked along the sides. I was unimpressed by the view, which was not any better than the view from the edge of the cliffs. As for the glass floor, it was also unimpressive. The skywalk itself cast a shadow on the canyon, and in any case, there was nothing particularly interesting to see below the glass - no, the experience didn't make me feel like I was "walking where the eagles soar". The skywalk is also a lot smaller and narrower than you might imagine - I could walk from one end to the other in about 15 seconds at a normal pace. It is also advertised as being able to hold 120 visitors at once - this is extraordinarily unrealistic; the 24 visitors on the bridge with me were already causing some trouble in moving around the bridge. What's more, the attendants trying to take group pictures frequently asked people to stop or to move out of the view of the camera - so I really don't know how 120 people could be on the bridge at once.

After getting off the glass skywalk, my sister-in-law really wanted pictures (besides the few that the "pros" took for us), so she suggested that she and the kids might get back on the glass while I stepped outside to take some pictures. One of the cashiers told us that would not be possible unless we were going to pay for those pictures...so we just plonked down $30 for one of the ones they took: my sister-in-law figured that since she had already paid so much that she might as well pay some more for the memory.


Walk where the eagles soar...

So really, the Hualapai glass skywalk is mostly a tourist trap and the tagline of "walk the sky" is a fluffy marketing gimmick.

We took the next bus to the second point on the canyon, Guano Point, where the views were much better. Seriously, don't waste your money on the glass skywalk, just skip it, and take the bus right to Guano Point - it doesn't cost extra and the view is gorgeous. Well, you still have to pay for parking and that outrageous bus ride, but I guess after the skywalk, I couldn't complain for someone that wasn't extra. It really is lovely, and the experience of standing atop the mound at Guano Point was, as a fellow visitor uttered, majestic.


Save your money; go directly to Guano Point.

see also:
Flickr Album - Las Vegas Shenanigans
Las Vegas - A Guide
Las Vegas - Day One: Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
Las Vegas - Day Two: Glass Skywalk at Grand Canyon West
Las Vegas - Day Three: Red Rock Canyon

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Las Vegas - Day One: Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, with Pictures

The Hoover Dam is only about 30 miles down US-93 from Las Vegas, so I thought I'd make a half-day trip out of it. The drive was very scenic: it was a sunny day, the sky was bright and blue and the mountains were dramatic.

As always, click the image to see it full-size.


Heading down US-93 to Hoover Dam.

On the way there we passed by Lake Mead, the man-made lake created as a result of the dam. The water was also very blue, and several other cars stopped along the side of the road to take a look and snap some photos. There were also about a dozen people swimming in the lake. I didn't have my trunks, but I'm not sure if I would have wanted to get into the water in any case because there wasn't really any sand, and the "beach" was filled with sharp little rocks. The view was still gorgeous, however. The warm, dry lake breeze was also surprisingly refreshing.


I'd live here. Lake Mead in the background.


The desert and mountain range behind the beach.


Lake Mead.

There were a good number of people at the dam even though it was a Tuesday. Parking was still plentiful (cost: $5 a car on the parking deck, Nevada Side; free if you can find a spot in the small lot on the Arizona side) and the crowds weren't so thick as to get in the way. The dam and the structures around it are built in the art deco style - including the toilets. I overheard one woman remarking how lovely the bathroom was to her husband.


The power plant intake towers. The white lines along the water line indicate a drought.

I couldn't get a great shot of the dam itself since we didn't go on the tour, which is the only way to get into the visitor center observation tower. Still, the scenery from just walking along the dam, and the easy drive from Las Vegas made this visit very worthwhile. We came to the dam from the strip right after a late breakfast, and made it back to the city in time for lunch.

Update/ Actually, Hoover Dam is directly in the path to the Grand Canyon (my entry on that HERE), so you could even fit both in on the same day. If you head out to the dam early in the morning, you'd still have the entire afternoon for the canyon (not to mention a nice break on the long drive!)



see also:
Flickr Album - Las Vegas Shenanigans
Las Vegas - A Guide
Las Vegas - Day One: Lake Mead and Hoover Dam
Las Vegas - Day Two: Glass Skywalk at Grand Canyon West
Las Vegas - Day Three: Red Rock Canyon

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A Review of the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe LX, with Pictures

This is a review of the 2008 Honda Accord LX-S Coupe, 4-Cylinder, Automatic Transmission (Eighth Generation). I bought this car just over a month ago and have put about 1000 miles on it to date. For comparison purposes: I am 6'1" and about 200 lbs. My previous car was a 2007 Honda Civic Coupe, a review of which is here.

more images at part 2 of this review: http://bobbypd.blogspot.com/2008/06/2008-honda-accord-coupe-lx-s-pictures.html

In the time I've had the car, I've filled up 5 times, averaging 21 MPG as my actual real MPG, with about 75% city driving. I use the recommended 87 octane regular unleaded, usually from Sunoco and Exxon. (For comparison, the average MPG of my old Civic was 26 MPG). My lowest MPG has been 17.8 (the first fill-up, mostly city miles) and my highest 24.3 (with 100% highway driving that particular fill-up), giving me a somewhat disappointing MPG. This is definitely not the 21/31 MPG that Honda has advertised - I understand that no car gets its advertised mileage, but still...I wasn't expecting my mileage to be right at their lowest estimate. The 2008 Honda Accord gas tank has a capacity of 18.5 gallons.







phrawr. click to see full-size image.

Everyone I drive by stops and gawks, and I get lots of compliments, so there is no denying that this coupe is a real winner in the looks department (especially this belize blue pearl color) - but you don't need me to tell you - this thing is sexy! I definitely prefer the look of the coupe to the sedan, but that's up to you, though personally, I feel that the 2008 Accord sedan is a real step backward in the looks department from previous generations - it really looks like a Hyundai. So I'm really glad that Honda made the 2008 Accord coupe look radically different from its four-door sibling.

Driving

I feel confident passing cars at highway speeds, and the 4-cylinder, 190-horsepower engine is more than enough for everyday driving. Normal highway speeds keep the engine in the low-2000 RPM range. I sometimes feel like I should have gotten the v6, BUT really, with gas at around $3.80, I'm glad I didn't. And really, the performance of the I4 engine is more than ample for city driving or highway cruising.

The coupe is hard to see around, however. I cannot see down the hood of my car, nor can I see my trunk that well. And really, there's a lot of junk in the trunk, so I'm always concerned about hitting something when backing up. Seeing around the sides of the car is also a challenge, since the curtain airbags take up a lot of space along the sides, reducing the rear side windows to tiny triangles – just barely of any use, and because the sides are quite high.

I'm a tall person and this car fits me perfectly (this was an issue with my Civic). A friend who drives a large SUV said that he somehow feels that my car is more spacious feeling than his - at least in the front seats. The back seats are ok, but headroom is significantly reduced due to the dramatically raked roof, and the legroom is very minimal. I’d suggest only children and/or shorter people should sit back there for long rides. Specs from Honda, Two Door, 2008 Honda Accord Coupe LX:

Interior Measurements
Headroom (in., front/rear): 39.1 / 35.9
Legroom (in., front/rear): 42.2 / 33.1
Shoulder Room (in., front/rear): 58.4 / 54.5
Hiproom (in., front/rear): 56.4 / 46.3

Exterior Measurements
Wheelbase (in.): 107.9
Length (in.): 190.9
Height (in.): 56.4
Width (in.): 72.8
Track (in., front/rear): 62.2 / 62.2
Curb Weight (lbs., MT/AT): 3221 / 3283

Other Stuff:


Fresh from a wash and wax. Phrawr!

This is the 2008 Honda Accord, LX model, so there is no moonroof. This is something I sometimes wish I got, but thinking back to my Civic, I was a little bit concerned about the headroom that it would take up - I'm much happier with so much headroom. The seats are firm, but comfortable, and controlled manually. The LX model comes with 2 power outlets, and an aux jack for iPods, etc, with a 160-watt audio system. The audio system is noticeably weaker than the 270-watt system I had in my Civic, but it's fine. FM reception can be a little bit spotty at times, and I'm not sure why because I didn't have this issue in my Civic; however, most of the time it gets good reception.

Both the driver and passenger have lighted-vanity mirrors, and powered windows and rear-view mirrors. The trunk space is sufficient to "fit in at least two dead bodies", according to the dealer. It really is spacious; however, the rear seats do not fold flat so don't expect to use the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe to haul cargo. The rear seats do fold down, but leave about a 30 degree angle, not flat, and the pass through between the trunk and rear seats is only a square in the middle, maybe large enough for skis, or maybe lumber, to be accommodated.

2008 Honda Accord Coupe, Automatic Transmission, 4-Cyl

Pros: Beautiful, beautiful car; peppy acceleration
Cons: Rather low mileage
The Bottom Line: Good performance, sexy styling, cool extras. Some visibility issues, but nothing you can't get used to.

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Plasq's "Comic Life"

A quick attempt at making a comic strip with Plasq's Comic Life program. The first time I tried this program at Best Buy, I was hooked and really wanted to get a Mac. Really. Thankfully, Plasq makes a version for Windows too. It's a bit of a system hog, though.

Comparison of Various Mango Juice Brands

The first in a series of posts reviewing, of all things, Mango juice/Mango drinks. A result of both too much free time, and a surprisingly well-stocked international foods section at nearby grocery stores. Enjoy!

*****

Tropical Grove by Allen's
"Mango Flavored Juice Drink"

Product of Canada

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.25
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 120 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 5g / Sugars - 28g

Composition:
15% Juice. Water, Liquid Invert Sugar, Concentrated (Orange, Apple, Grape, Pear, Mango) Juice. Less than 0.5% of Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Yellows #5 & #6.

Taste & Texture:
A thin, orange-yellow colored liquid. It tastes more like a (bad tasting) fruit punch dominated more by pears and grapes than mangoes; even though it's not listed in the ingredients, it also tastes like artificial peach. I can't actually taste any mango, which is not surprising given that of the various fruit concentrates going into this drink, mango is listed last. It's cloyingly sweet and leaves a sour aftertaste. Cheap, but tastes terrible. F. Pass.

*****

Mira
"Mango Premium Tropical Nectar"

Product of Egypt

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.57
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 130 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 40mg / Sugars - 31g

Composition:
23% Juice. Water, Mango Puree, Sugar, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Chloride, Natural Colors (Annatto).

Taste & Texture:
A thick yellow-orange liquid. Actually tastes like mango, and is nice and sweet. There is a hint of something bitter or "industrial" tasting (for lack of a better word) in this drink. It's not unpleasant, but it's just noticeable after the initial sweet flavor. The drink finishes cleanly with no lingering aftertaste. Kinda pricey, but it's alright. C+. Try.

*****

Jumex
"Mango Nectar from Concentrate"

Product of Mexico

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.38
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 140 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 40mg / Sugars - 32g

Composition:
30% Juice. Water, Mango Puree from Concentrate, Sugar and/or HFCS, Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene.

Taste & Texture:
A thick yellow-orange liquid. Tastes sort of like mango, but no cigar. It's not sweet enough; actually, it's a little on the sour side - like underripe mangoes were used. Leaves a slight sour taste in the mouth. C-. Pass.

*****

Goya
"Mango Nectar"

Product of Canada

Each Serving:
Cost - $0.48
Size - 8fl oz / Calories - 140 / Fat - 0g / Sodium - 5mg / Sugars - 35 g

Composition:
23% Juice. Water, Mango Puree, Liquid Invert Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Ascorbic Acid.

Taste & Texture:
A thick-ish yellow-orange liquid. Of this group of four drinks, tastes the most like mango. It also has a nice mango-ey aroma to it. Nice and sweet, and it has just a right amount of tanginess to it. B+. Buy.

*****

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