Canyons, Cowboys and giggles

The Southwest Chief was going to take me on the 10 hour trip to Williams junction which covers 535 miles.

I boarded the train at 18:30 and of course, had a sleeper.  Unfortunately, because the train no longer goes right into Williams, Amtrak have created Williams junction so they don't have to come of their main line to drop people for the Grand Canyon.

This is Williams junction - one slab of concrete and a floodlight.  The train slows right down so as to line up the carriage with the slab of concrete for us to get off.  The guy collecting us at 4:50 in the morning loads our cases then switches off the floodlight before we leave!!!

So he then takes us to the Grand Canyon Railway hotel for our trip and stay where I have to sit and wait for the coffee shop to open at 6:00 - yawn.

I am taking a steam train trip to the canyon then a coach trip to see the South Rim.  This will be one of the highlights of my trip - I didn't have time to visit the last time I was in Arizona (too busy getting married)! And vowed I would visit the next time around.

Our trip began with a Cowboy show which was really quite amusing then on the train we had entertainment provided by Clyde Cords - our carriage attendant, Amber - Rose was very knowledgeable and gave us the lowdown on the surrounding area and the history of the rail line.

On arrival at the Canyon we transfer to Coaches for the tour to begin.

My pictures cant possible do the Canyon justice - it really is breathtaking to see.

As you can see it was quite cloudy but that added to our view as it cast shadow and light on the rock formations which only seemed to enhance their colours.

They don't really know how old the Canyon is but it is 70 million plus years old at least.  The ongoing dispute about what caused the canyon swings between the wearing caused by the Colorado River and evidence of a massive inland sea millions of years ago - throw in the San Andreas fault shifting a least a couple of times and this is what you end up with!

We only viewed the Canyon from the rim but many people have trekked down into the canyon over the years and originally before it became a tourist magnet it was a trail station and lodgings for trekkers.

The Blue Angel Lodge is on the south rim and the fireplace in the main room is built to reflect the different layers and rocks found in the canyon.

It was an amazing day and I managed to tick another one off my wish list.

We had Amber - Rose looking after us on the return trip and our carriage was mostly empty - only 8 of us returning at that time.  Amber - Rose had us in fits of giggles as she told us stories of her time on the trains and growing up in Las Vegas - we also got a big surprise half way back ...........

when the train was held up by Cowboys - all adding to the fun and a good day was had by all.


After an early tea it was off to bed as I had to get the return train at 3:50 the next morning Zzzzzzzzzz.....