Leaving the wonderful hospitality of Ginger and Frosty in Las Vegas we headed east and south toward Williams, AZ. We had a quick view of blue, blue Lake Mead.
The road winds through the hills.
It was a beautiful day and all was going well.
Then this happened. Poor GypsyII. Things do not always go well but they sort themselves out without too much trouble. After a 90 minute wait for roadside assistance the tire was removed, the spare put on and we were on our way again. The next morning a tire shop just down the road from our RV Park put a new one on the rim and came to the RV Park and put it on and Voila it is as if it never happened. (Except for some damage to the wheel well trim......Oh well)
At an elevation of 6766 feet Williams is pine country. That pretty white cloud unfortunately is not a cloud. It is smoke from a wildfire. Luckily this one was contained quite quickly but others are raging in Arizona.
There are many things to do and see near Williams. This is Kaibab Lake. A nice drive through the pines to get to it. At this elevation the air is cool and has a great fragrance.
We booked a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway to go to the Grand Canyon. Included in your ticket is a "Wild West Show."
Unlike most Wild West Shows this wasn't about a bank robbery or a fight over a girl. It was trying to figure out how they were going to get their meals because "Ma" was in jail and couldn't cook for them. Pretty funny.
Soon we were boarded and on our way.
The train goes from Williams, AZ to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
The scenery is pretty much desert with a little pine forest thrown in.
There was a little entertainment provided.
Once at the Grand Canyon you have a few hours to explore.
If you choose you can hop on a bus that goes to other stops on the rim.
Since we have been at the Grand Canyon South Rim several times we decided to just stay in the Village area where you disembark from the train.
We had a wonderful lunch at the historic El Tovar Dining Room. I imagine when Teddy Roosevelt dined there in 1906 what the diners were wearing then was a bit more sophisticated than the shorts and flip flops of today.
The Grand Canyon is always stunning. No matter how many times I see it I still marvel at it's beauty.
As the bird flies it is a mile across.
And it is at least a mile deep. Hard to believe the Colorado River has had the power to carve out this amazing spectacle.
Being there at mid day wasn't the best for photos but I still kept clicking away. At any time of day the beauty comes through.
If you want to stay at the El Tovar Hotel right on the rim get your reservations early.
Time to get back to the station to head back to Williams.
I am glad we went. It gave Walt a day off from driving and the train experience is fun but I really wouldn't recommend it for anyone other than people who this is their first and only visit on a limited time vacation. And it does cut down on the number of cars that go into the park. Maybe we have been spoiled by the other incredible train trips we have been on. Here the scenery isn't great, boarding and un-boarding take a very long time and the entertainment was only so so. So, if you are an experienced traveler drive yourself and take advantage of the free shuttle service that will take you all around the South Rim.
My guess is you wouldn't be subject to a hold up on the highway if you drive.
Uh oh, here comes the Great Train Robbery. We came through unscathed.