Even though there are currently two inches of snow sitting on my balcony and I’ve had to clean off the boat multiple times, I’m in an extremely good mood.

I was disappointed yesterday by my late arrival in Flagstaff, but today more than made up for it. Not only did I get to hike Monument Valley and take in the incredible views, I also got to finish said hike in a snowstorm.

While being caught in bad weather doesn’t usually do it for me, there’s something to be said for the sense of peace and quiet that comes over an area as a snowstorm approaches. A light dusting began to fall and I walked through the valley, watching the red clay slowly turn white, the green of the snakegrass beginning to stand out (then it got a little more intense and I had to retreat to the hotel).

I’m staying at The View (which lives up to its name). My balcony faces the valley and the monuments – it’s a spectacular thing to see. I unfortunately only got to experience it for a short time – the fog has pretty much taken care of that now.

That’s all right – I can see and appreciate the potential, the beauty behind the design. It’s a comfortable place with lots of good photography (of Monument Valley) and a nice lobby fireplace.

Here are some photos. Can you see the face in the first one? 

 

It doesn't surprise me that many travelers shrug their shoulders at the mention of Nassau.

Most people come in on a cruise, stay for a day or two, walk through the straw markets and visit Atlantis. The harbor area is very busy and geared to sell trinkets to tourists, not something you would necessarily want to experience more than once.

When I was in the Bahamas I spent a few days on the island, and I was hellbent on finding something to connect with, a reason to come back on a plane rather than allowing it to be nothing more than a cruise-ship stop.

I stayed at the British Colonial Hilton (I could see the cruise ships from the hotel's beach), but on a free afternoon I wandered the other way - away from the noise - and went to check out the Graycliff Hotel, the island's only five-star hotel. 

Not only is it five stars with a bed-and-breakfast feel, it sports an award-winning wine cellar (with over 250,000 bottles, one of which is priced at $200,000) and a cigar factory/lounge, complete with on-site hand rollers (see photo below). 

A short walk from the Graycliff is Junkanoo Beach, where many of the locals hang out and we had a great happy hour and some beautiful scenery.

Enjoy these photos:

 

Pool at Graycliff Hotel

 

Cigar Lounge

 

Factory worker combining business and pleasure

 

 

Junkanoo Beach

 

 

Junkanoo Beach - story to come!