When you have one day and one night in Las Vegas there are many things you can do. The first in my mind included: Gambling, pool partying, clubbing, buffets, and taking part in some general drunken debauchery. I could not decide what I wanted to choose to do with my 24 hours. What ended up happening was none of the above.
I arrived in the afternoon and went straight to the pool. I always make my best decisions while basking in the sunshine, toes in the water. I am lucky enough that I had been to Vegas a couple times, but there was always one thing I never got to do. I decided this was it, I was going to make it happen. A quick phone call to a helicopter tour company later and I was on my way to the Grand Canyon.
I arrived at the Papillon Tour headquarters full of childlike excitement. Not only had I never been to the Canyon, I had also never been on a helicopter. I assumed it was going to be a tad different then commercial aircraft.The staff were so friendly, and even sitting through the safety video, just got me all that more excited. Now I must say, I have heard varying reviews on these types of tours. People have told me that they rather see the canyon from the ground. While others have nothing but rave reviews. The day someone told me that the movie Gigli was a must see, was the same day I decided that sometimes you have to just form your own opinions on things. This was going to be one of those days.
Waiting in the mini terminal, my name was called and I joined my group to board our helicopter. I was lucky and got seated right next to the captain. I spent the next 70 minutes open-mouthed in awe and wonder. The Grand Canyon is kind of epic. On my Golden Eagle Tour we passed the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before getting into the Canyon itself. I am sure that part of my excitement could have been attributed to the fact that I had never even been in a helicopter. But anyone who’s been on a tour like this knows, that well, it’s pretty amazing. It is pricey if you are on a strict budget. (I know a lot about those). If you can swing it though, I loved it, and definitely recommend it.
I wont ramble on about it, I would rather let these pictures talk for themselves.