Today we woke up really early and drove about an hour to Williams, AZ. We got on the Grand Canyon train. It was so much fun. We had designated seats together. The trip was a bit more than 2 hours. We had a hostess just for our car. She was full of jokes, wit, information and all sorts of fun! She was great! We learned a lot and really had a great time. Beforehand there was a funny cowboy show with real horses. We boarded the train, got settled and off we went. There was strolling cowboy with a guitar, who also told jokes. It turned out the train was used from 1901 onward until 1968. The widespread use and prevalence of the car, made it obsolete. It was discontinued until 1989. We went on a path to the Grand Canyon far from any road.
We arrived and walked up the stairs onto a path that led directly to the Grand Canyon. It was majestic and huge. We have seen a lot of canyon lands on our drives, and been up and down huge mountains on our trip. The canyon was still impressive for its sheer beauty. Funny thing, there are virtually no railings along the way, just low walls or nothing at all. There is a picture below, of Sam on a path, with no walls, but a mile up with a sheer drop off!! There is a book in the gift store that lists every person who died while at the canyon. Most were men! Hmm?!?
There was a ton of wind there today, it was so windy and warm, that there was a high alert for fires. The wind could easily blow Zack, so we held on tight! The wind blew stones that stung or legs and got dust in our eyes several times. You could almost see it coming and try to close your eyes fast! It did not always work though. Today is Doug's birthday. June 13. Mom is on June 15. They ditched us and went out for a nice lunch at the Canyon all alone. We went out with the family to a different place for lunch, more kid friendly! Chris had an exhaustion spell. I sat him in a cool room with lots of history to read. He was fine after about 20 minutes. We later met up with my parents at the small visitor center. Except Geoff and Sam. First mistake...I let him run with Sam down the Bright Angel Trail a bit....WITH our train tickets!!! Second mistake, they met up with my parents at some point and my mom DID not get the train tickets from Geoff, before he ran off again!!! We all just hoped for the best and started walking the long path back to the train. Just in the nick of time, Geoff showed up with the tickets!! We boarded the train, and had a great time again. There was a train robbery, the bandits stopped the train with real horses and boarded the train. They made jokes and it was so funny!
Chris had another exhaustion spell, and just quietly melted for 20 minutes. He says his throat is tight. You could pray for him, I think the high altitude (7200ft) might be causing a bit of asthma from his whooping cough damage?! Not sure. He goes back to normal quickly though. We drove home for a quick, easy dinner. Afterwards, we had root beer floats to celebrate Dad's birthday! The kids are tired, and full. Everyone is on the couches watching a new Phineas and Ferb show. We get up early to pack up the house again and be on our way... Here is just a side thought...there were so many different people from everywhere at the Grand Canyon. It is very interesting to see all these people. I think I am too used to just being in my own bubble back in Syracuse,NY. I forget the world is out there, beyond my little place in life! Second thought, bathrooms. Bathrooms are unique everywhere. Where I expect a filthy one, I find a clean one. Where I expect a good, clean one, I find a horrible one. When I don't know what to expect, I find a fancy one, that is wonderful!! Third thought, rainbows look the same, but different everywhere! We see them often along our way! Fourth thought, we are educting Geoff ( and the kids) along the way. We taught them about Virga. That is a cloud that let's precipitation fall, but it evaporates before it hits the ground. Dad and I keep trading arcane info. Can tell we are bored driving? Last thought, praire dogs are SO cute!!! I love looking out the window and seeing them just standing up by their mounds in the towns!! Enjoy!!
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