The Grand Canyon

We said farewell to Mark and Winnie and pointed the bus toward the Grand Canyon.  We had a reservation at a well reviewed RV park in Williams, AZ.  Once we arrived and checked in, I purchased tickets on the Grand Canyon Railway for the 68 mile trip to the entrance to the park.  Once I had that completed we took a stroll into town.

It wasn't long before we encountered the town marshall who had caught up with a horse thief.  The culprit was not willing to be captured so the marshall went to plan B!

The train ride was most enjoyable.  The stewardess plied us with tasty treats and refreshing beverages.  She also entertained us with historical facts on the Canyon.

It's 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 6,000 feet deep.  The Colorado River is estimated to have carved its course through the Canyon at least 17 million years ago.

For thousands of years, the area has been continuously inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon ("Ongtupqa" in Hopi language) a holy site and made pilgrimages to it. The first European known to have viewed the Grand Canyon was García López de Cárdenas from Spain, who arrived in 1540.

It is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world!

When the train pulled into the station we boarded a very nice bus for a narrated tour of the the Canyon rim.  It was another good decision.  It drove us to some of the best views in air conditioned comfort.

The vistas are spectacular but a challenge for a novice (me) to capture in all their glory.

We also encountered a group of Hopi indians in full regalia performing dances.  This young man was excellent!

We boarded the train for the return trip with great memories stored in our minds and camera.  Cameras are a good thing!  LOL!

Our stewardess mixed me a excellent Blood Mary and a glass of Champange for Diane.  A couple of traveling minstrels entertained us with songs and humor as we chugged back towards Williams. 

Then the unexpected!

Train robbers had boarded us.  Luckily there was a US Homeland Security Train Marshall sitting in our car and he drew down on the dastardly crook and disarmed and cuffed him.

To calm our nerves, our stewardess rushed to us with more cocktails.

It was a treat to see the wonders of the Canyon and experience some of the local color as well.