For our final day we all agreed to explore the Grand Canyon in an unusual way. The standard method involves picking a rim and looking over the expanse. I have already done that twice, and it is spectacular. This time we decided to try a completely different adventure.

First, we had to travel from Sedona to Peach Springs, Arizona, which is located on Hualapai Native lands. To get there, you must drive for a while on the famous Route 66: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

Peach Springs is purported to be the inspiration for the fictional Radiator Springs from the movie Cars. I don't know if this is true. In reality Peach Springs seems even smaller and more remote than the fictional town. We were going to drive down into the canyon. You need to buy a permit from the tribal Fish & Game Department to take this route. Since the unpaved road is rocky and steep, a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended. This site explains the route in detail:

The drive was breathtaking, as we descended into the canyon and eventually reached the Colorado River on the canyon floor.

We stopped for a while at the river's edge. My daughter waded into the ice cold water briefly.

Then we all were treated to a unique show. An older man and a much younger woman appeared and walked to the river's edge. The man had elaborate camera equipment around his neck. The enormously endowed woman was wearing a very revealing bathing suit top. She then removed her top and the man began shooting photos as she posed. A park ranger then appeared to check everyone's permits. First he came to us, and we explained that we had placed the permit on our dashboard of our car, parked near the river. Then he walked over to the couple. It turned out that the couple didn't buy a permit. I was told earlier in the fish and game department that if you were issued a citation while on tribal lands, something of value would be retained as bond to ensure that you paid the tribal fine. The three got into a mildly heated discussion. The woman walked over to us and asked if we could change large bills. We couldn't. Apparently the ranger would only accept the permit fee in cash now. I then asked if the tribe accepted bitcoin. (I'm lying. I didn't have the nerve) The discussion continued for a while. The issue was eventually resolved. I don't know exactly how things were worked out, but I'm still wondering about that something of value rule.

After a long, fun day, we had a fine meal at the finest (only) restaurant in Peach Springs. We also learned more about the Hualapai Nation:

We go home tomorrow, so this is the last of these posts. Thanks for reading. It was a good week.