When you open yourself up to life, Life opens up to you!: 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.