Return To Grand Canyon

 May 14-16

We headed on out of Verde Valley and headed north on 89, as we wanted to go through the Sedona area and really didn't want to deal with I17 again with all its bumps. What a beautiful ride and Sedona is gorgeous, well, outside the immediate area, that is just a touristy town. The surroundings though, Oh My. Yep this area goes on the list of places we will come back to and spend more time. Our GPS kept wanting to send us back over to I17 but according to the map 89 goes all the way up to Flagstaff which is where we pick up I40 to our next destination. Huh, let's just continue on 89. Yeah, we soon discovered why our GPS wanted us elsewhere. Oh my what a road, and once again, twisty, turny, hairpin curves, rock walls on one side, nothingness to the other. How do we always manage to find these places, LOL Guess next time we will avoid the north of Sedona section of 89. But again the views were wonderful. Slowly, but surely we got though.

    The rest of the drive was uneventful and we got to Williams, AZ and the Grand Canyon Railroad Campground. WooHoo!! This is part of a complex, the campground, hotel, and train depot with two restaurants. The campground is okay, with level sites side by side, not much room between but it's not somewhere you spend time at. You are there to go to the Grand Canyon. 

Had dinner in the one restaurant where we could sit outside. Even nicer because we were the only ones on the patio. The selection left a lot to be desired but the local porter was good! Have I mentioned the wind lately? If I haven't well, let me tell you, once again The Wind, she did blow!! Got rocked to sleep once again, LOL

     

 Got up early on Saturday, because we had a fun filled day ahead. First was an silly, campy, wild west show. One of those you can't help but be entertained by. 

Then it was All Aboard for a picturesque train ride to the Grand  Canyon. We were surprised by having entertainment and refreshment as we rolled along the countryside. 

It is a leisurely two and a half hour ride during which we saw antelope, wild horses, rabbits, and lots of cows (being open range area). The ride was narrated with our guide pointing out local sites and giving a bit of history.

The train delivers you right in the Central Village area and you have three hours in which to explore the south rim of the canyon on your own. Having been there in the past did nothing to diminish the breathtaking feeling when you look upon the canyon. Another of those many places we have seen that words adequately can describe. Majestic and awe-inspiring come closest. As we walked along the rim trail, we had to often stop and just be in the magnitude of it all.

Twas a very warm day so we treated ourselves to some ice cream before boarding the train once again. What a perfect way to leave the Grand Canyon, no dealing with traffic or having to drive the long way out. Again were served cold beverages and a snack as our guide continued to talk about the area. Just sitting back taking in the views, so relaxing, and just when you start to perhaps nod off, OH MY A Train Robbery!! Those same bad guys from the morning show ride like the wind and get on board, running through each car as the mighty sheriff chases them down. So wonderfully hokey.

Spent the evening relaxing after yet another memorable day on our great adventure.

TA

Sedona

Grand Canyon

Cottonwood Arizona

May 12

After our fun little visit to Winslow, we continued southward to Cottonwood, AZ, our destination, Verde Valley RV Resort. Another Thousand Trails and I have to say one of the best so far. 

The ride there was uneventful though filled with beautiful scenery being surrounded by hills, mountains, incredible stone formations and lots of empty space. Do have to say for an Interstate Highway 17 leaves a lot to be desired in itself as is bumpy as all get out. Kept hoping nothing loosen up along the way.

Again, the campground or preserve as they are called, is large and sprawling with sites down in the valley as well as up on top of the mountain. We found one on the outside loop with great view of the valley on that side. Love outside loops as that way no one is on at least one side of you. We were there for two nights so had a whole day to explore and get some hiking in. 

Actually, rather more hiking than we were planning. Yep, one of those 3 mile hikes that turn into 6 miles when you don't have a trail map and there's no real markers. Oh but of course, a lot of fun. The campground abuts the Verde Valley River and so we decided to hike down to it. That in itself was entertaining as turned out to be a lot steeper than expected.

   In two places there were drops of four to six feet with these old rickety wooden ladders to assist you down. Oh my, are these things going to hold up?? Fortunately, yes they did the job. (how do we found these places, LOL) Once down to the bottom of the cliff had to work our way to the river itself as there wasn't any clear path just random cut-throughs. 

Was fun watching the scurrying of little lizards (looked like a type of Anole) as we walked along. The views of the river were disappointing as the vegetation was rather overgrown, but enjoyed what we could. The hike took us to the valley section of the campground so while there checked out the pool area, very well kept and perfectly clear water. Right now it is on a reservation system to help keep the social distancing rules in place. Had we had our suits with us, we may have considered jumping in, it was getting hot out.

Turn ourselves to the road back up the hill to start back. Oh, look there's a trail we can take instead of walking on the road. Always preferred by us. Away we go, up the trail that appeared to be going in the direction we wanted. Easy walking though hot as in the sun, but better than on the road, right?!? We get to almost the top of this hill and huh, why is the trail going that way? Shouldn't it be going in that direction to get back to the main road? Well, our choice is to continue on and hope for the best or turn around and go all the way back down. 

We all know what we decided, yep, continue onward. HA! Around top we go and we are headed downward, wait this can't be right we are now back at the road even further down in the valley. Oh good grief. Oh my, we are hot, tired, thirsty and have at least a mile to walk uphill! Got to love us. Made it back and collapsed, LOL

Spent the rest of the day relaxing and trying to stay cool, temperatures got up into the low 90s. Seems we went from winter, to very short spring and right into high summer, within a two week span.

Anyway as I mention this was a great well kept campground that we wouldn't hesitate to go back to and spend more. There is a lot in the area we would like to explore.

Tomorrow on to a special stop and great splurge.

Til Then

TA!

Cottonwood tree for which the area is named

Winslow, Arizona

 Thought you would enjoy this Musical Montage

Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona

Such a fine sight to see

It's a girl, my Lord, in a flat-bed Ford

Slowin' down to take a look at me

Come on, baby, don't say maybe

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me

We may lose and we may win, though we will never be here again

So open up I'm climbin' in, so take it easy

Take it easy, take it easy

Don't let the sound of your own wheels make you crazy

Come on baby, don't say maybe

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me

  We oughta take it easy      Oh, we got it easy