The Grand Canyon

Henry, Anne, Dean and I boarded the Grand Canyon Railroad train in Williams, AZ for the ride to the Grand Canyon at 9:45 with departure at 10am. This was after watching a Wild West Show in an arena outside the train station. Very good actors, cute show. Our seats were in first class facing each other. Dean and I rode backwards going up and then facing front coming back. With the large window by our seats, either way had great views. During the morning ride, we were provided a buffet of danish, muffins, fresh cut up fruit, juice and coffee plus complimentary sodas and bottled water. There was also a strolling musician but he didn't spend much time in our car. We arrived at the Grand Canyon around 12:15 pm.

The first peak of the canyon came as we were approaching the train station. Dean and I were on the right side of the train to catch the view and I knew by the first sighting, we were in for something bigger than either of us had imagined.

From the train we boarded our tour bus for the ride around the rim. Well, unless you have been to the Grand Canyon, there are no words or pictures that can really describe it so that you get the same feeling as seeing it, especially for the first time. Awe inspiring, grand, huge, deep, beautiful, unbelievable, serene are just a few of the words that come to mind. As for the pictures, I took 130 total pictures of which I can only post a handful. Choosing which ones will be difficult. Our bus driver had to be one of the best! He was really funny, full of stories and took us to the best photo sites, even telling us where to stand and point the camera to get the best pictures. I don't usually care for bus tours, but he made this one enjoyable. After each story he would give a good "Yee Haw" or ask if we wanted to hear "The Rest of the Story". He also had an infectious laugh. A very good rim bus tour.

3:30 pm had us boarding the train for the return ride to Williams. Our treats during this ride were cheese and crackers, veggies with dip, danish, muffins and for a small charge some really good Canyon Sunset drinks. I have to admit, I had two! There were also complimentary champagne, sparkling cider and sodas. About a half hour out of Williams the train was held up by the same group of actors from the morning show. The kids on board got a big kick out of this, even some of the big kids!

The four of us returned happy but tired. It was a long day and being so tired, we decided to stay in for the evening and just have a snack. Dean and I were in bed by 8:30 pm and the TV went off just after nine. We went off to dreamland tired but happy.

Unfortunately, the day was overcast with very little sunshine. Because of this, the colors of the Grand Canyon don't show well in the pictures and it also caused a whiteish misty look in a lot of them. Maybe if I had used a filter they would have been better. We are returning today by car and the sun is shining, so I'm hoping to get some really good pictures with some color. Meanwhile enjoy these.....



Allegator rock (the top of the ledge looks like an allegator) with the Colorado River way below..



Another of allegator rock with the river....



Battleship rock...



More views.....



More views.....





I'll be back with a Grand Canyon II post.