Inside the Dome car we had great views out the curved windows so as we pulled away from the station we got a good look at the “mounted escort” that was pursuing the train. I’m sure you’ve guessed who by now, none other than the “outlaws” from the Wild West show. As the train gathered speed , we easily left the riders behind.
The Dome car had a “concierge” assigned to the car by the name of Mimi. In addition to serving snacks and beverages throughout the trip, she also entertained us with stories about her job and her life and how she came to be working on The Grand Canyon Railroad.
I guess the railroad doesn’t think the scenery is enough to keep guests entertained because in addition to Mimi, we had a “Singing Cowboy” who spent most of the trip in our car. He was very entertaining and a lot of fun. He asked everyone where they were from and then sang a song related to each place. When he got to me it was Charlie on the MTA, of course!
The rise across the Colorado plateau was slow but if you didn’t notice it in the ride, you could see it in the change of the vegetation. By the time we reached the South Rim we would be at an elevation of 7000 ft above sea level.
Arriving at Grand Canyon Station we were hustled off the train to waiting tour buses. I wasn’t sure which bus I was supposed to take but it didn’t take long for another tour to adopt me. This tour group was made up of AAA Travel Agents. We had a great driver and tour leader named Frank who filled us in on what to expect when we got to the Grand Canyon. The biggest warning…don’t get too close to the edge! It may sound obvious but every year people fall over the edge and are seriously injured or killed. I bought a book titled “Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon” by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M. Myers. It’s just amazing what people will do!
Frank finished his safety speech and pulled the bus over. We had reached the first stop and I was about to get my first look at the Grand Canyon. I don’t know what I expected and I don’t know what other people felt or thought. I can only tell you that all the pictures I’ve seen and descriptions I’ve heard did not prepare me for the actual sight of the Canyon. Part of my brain told me it wasn’t real. It was so huge and so overwhelming that I felt like if I reached out a hand I would touch a huge mural. At the same time I had to step back and close my eyes because it made me dizzy. Neither reaction was what I expected.
The sun had done it’s work and it was now about 70 degrees. Very comfortable for viewing the Canyon. I had packed a pair of binoculars but forgot to bring them with me to the canyon. Someone spotted one of the mule trains that takes tourists to the bottom of the canyon but it looked like a line of ants. The scale of everything was just amazing. Pictures and words just don’t do the Grand Canyon justice.
Because I was on a tour, I wasn’t able to linger . It was back on the bus to the next stop which was the Yavapai Center. Inside there are viewing windows and exhibits but I liked the relief map of the Canyon the best.
After the stop at the Yavapi Center we headed to the Maswick Lodge for lunch. On the way we passed the corral with the burros that make the trip up and down into the canyon. According to Frank, no donkey has ever fallen into the canyon. Shortly after that we were delayed by a “critter jam” as a family of Mule deer crossed the road and stopped traffic.
Frank was “fretting” because the "critter jam" put us behind schedule. He was concerned that is he didn’t get us to the lodge by 2:30 they would shut down lunch, but we made it . Lunch was a hot buffet and was quite good. After lunch we had a few minutes to look for souvenirs and browse in the gift shop and then it was back on the bus for the return trip to the train.
It didn’t seem like we had much time at the Canyon at all but with no other way back it wouldn’t be wise to miss the bus. I had heard about all of the wildlife that is protected by the Park boundaries but other than the mule deer family, I hadn’t seen much and that was a little disappointing still, I had most of the week left. Maybe I’d see more before the week was over. In fact, on the return train ride someone yelled “look at the deer” but the “deer” was really a prong horn antelope. It was so far away that my little point and shoot couldn’t pick it up even at maximum zoom but it was still exciting to see it.
After the grandeur of the Canyon, the flatness of the Colorado plateau seemed even more pronounced. It seemed quieter on the return train ride, at least until the train was stopped by “robbers”. The crew from the Wild West Show was back and came through the cars like it was a hold up. I’m sure it’s how they get their tips for the show in the morning.
It was dark by the time the train pulled in Williams so I found a fast food place for a quick dinner and headed back to Flagstaff and then the winding road back to Sedona.
I’m glad I took the train and tour. It’s a great introduction but it’s definitely not enough. It just whets your appetite for more. Tomorrow I’ll explore “Slide Rock” and in the afternoon take a jeep tour.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/
http://www.thetrain.com/
2 comments:
Sounds like fun, especially the train ride. I like trains and the ocean. Just about every thing. I bet the canyon was beautiful.
The canyon was amazing. No description captures it.
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