Tuesday, August 10, 1999
Day 11: WIlliams, AZ & the Grand Canyon
We're spending another night in Williams, Arizona tonight after a full day at the Grand Canyon. The people here in Williams are as nice as the rest of the folks we've met along the way. We saw the gunfight in the street tonight as well as one in the morning before our train left.
We boarded the Grand Canyon Railroad at 9 am after cruising through the gift shop at the depot and picking up more film. I think I've taken WAY too many pictures, but, hey, this may be the only time I am able to make this complete trip. The Grand Canyon Railroad has been in operation since the early 1900's until 1968 when it went out of business due to lack of travelers. It served as a freight train to the Grand Canyon for a few years after 68, but then stopped running completely. In the mid 80's the line and railway was purchased by a businessman here in Williams, and he began to rebuild the railway business. The line has been back in operation since 1989 and the passenger traffic on the railway continues to grow. Today the train had 12 train cars full of passengers. The train was pulled by a steam locomotive (2-8-2, Uncle Dick) that was built in 1923. We had an upgraded ticket which allowed us to travel in the parlor car. That was the last car on the train and had big cushy chairs, continental breakfast with fruit, muffins, and danishes, and on the return trip, crackers and cheese and drinks. All that, plus, unlike coach which had "open window air conditioning", OUR car was air conditioned.
During the ride musicians played as they strolled through the cars, and the "marshal" dressed in full cowboy apparel including six shooters walked through welcoming the passengers. Chris and I were able to sit by a large window with panoramic view facing each other both ways on the trip.
The trip to the Grand Canyon from Williams is 65 miles each way, and takes about 2 1/4 hours. Upon arriving at the Grand Canyon Village, we boarded a bus for our tour. First stop was Bright Angel Lodge where we were served a delicious buffet lunch. From our seats, we could look out the window and see the edge of the grand canyon less than 20 feet away! After eating, we walked along the rim in front of the lodge and were in awe of the canyon's size, beauty, and majesty. There were scattered clouds in the sky today moving over the canyon which cause sunlight to dance over the layered colors of the cliffs, mountains, and crevices that comprise the vista. Our tour took us to each of the lookouts on the west and the east rim over the course of 3 hours. We really had a great experience seeing it this way, in that we basically saw all the views from the rim within that time, plus we didn't have to find parking or wait for anything. Our tour guide, Albert, was informative, and also very funny. He made the tour a pleasure. As we boarded the bus after our last stop on the tour, the sky opened up and rain poured down, but only for about 10 minutes. By the time we reboarded the train, the rain was stopped and the sky sunny again. Along the tour we saw wildlife including deer, squirrels, condors, hawks, antelope, and of course, the Grand Canyon mules.
The trip back was just as good as the trip to the canyon. After about the first 1/2 of the trip, Chris and I went outside the car and stood on the back platform which was the end of the train as we continued toward Williams. Somehow, the train seemed more authentic out in the open air, with the sound of steel wheels clanking over the tracks and the smell of the smoke from the steam engine taking us back in time to the early 1900's when this was open range. We saw more antelope in the distance grazing and ignoring our passing.
All of a sudden the train slowed, then stopped! A band of three outlaws on horses came riding up beside the train and stopped it! Oh, no! We were outside the train on the platform, so had a great view of the whole ambush. Two of the bandits boarded the train and began harassing the passengers. Of course, it was all acting in fun. The "marshal" who rides the train was able to apprehend the outlaws before anyone was hurt, thank GOD!!!!! :)
After de-training (like de-plaing???) we went back to the motel to crash for a bit.....but not much time for rest, for the outlaws were back in the street for a gunfight.
Dinner was at diner called Cruisers Cafe 66----lots of retro stuff and old authentic gas station signs, pumps, etc and great murals painted on all the walls. Once again, great food and friendly staff made it enjoyable. After eating, Chris walked back to the motel, and I went for a walk in Williams to look in the gift shops and check out the neon in town. This town is really trying to come back from some lean times, it appears. Though there are a few empty store fronts, most of the businesses seem to be succeeding quite well and the whole downtown has a historic look to it.
Tomorrow we head on the longest continuous stretch of remaining 66 in Arizona between Seligman and Oatman, before ending up in Needles, California where we'll spend the night before taking on the Mojave Desert.
We boarded the Grand Canyon Railroad at 9 am after cruising through the gift shop at the depot and picking up more film. I think I've taken WAY too many pictures, but, hey, this may be the only time I am able to make this complete trip. The Grand Canyon Railroad has been in operation since the early 1900's until 1968 when it went out of business due to lack of travelers. It served as a freight train to the Grand Canyon for a few years after 68, but then stopped running completely. In the mid 80's the line and railway was purchased by a businessman here in Williams, and he began to rebuild the railway business. The line has been back in operation since 1989 and the passenger traffic on the railway continues to grow. Today the train had 12 train cars full of passengers. The train was pulled by a steam locomotive (2-8-2, Uncle Dick) that was built in 1923. We had an upgraded ticket which allowed us to travel in the parlor car. That was the last car on the train and had big cushy chairs, continental breakfast with fruit, muffins, and danishes, and on the return trip, crackers and cheese and drinks. All that, plus, unlike coach which had "open window air conditioning", OUR car was air conditioned.
During the ride musicians played as they strolled through the cars, and the "marshal" dressed in full cowboy apparel including six shooters walked through welcoming the passengers. Chris and I were able to sit by a large window with panoramic view facing each other both ways on the trip.
The trip to the Grand Canyon from Williams is 65 miles each way, and takes about 2 1/4 hours. Upon arriving at the Grand Canyon Village, we boarded a bus for our tour. First stop was Bright Angel Lodge where we were served a delicious buffet lunch. From our seats, we could look out the window and see the edge of the grand canyon less than 20 feet away! After eating, we walked along the rim in front of the lodge and were in awe of the canyon's size, beauty, and majesty. There were scattered clouds in the sky today moving over the canyon which cause sunlight to dance over the layered colors of the cliffs, mountains, and crevices that comprise the vista. Our tour took us to each of the lookouts on the west and the east rim over the course of 3 hours. We really had a great experience seeing it this way, in that we basically saw all the views from the rim within that time, plus we didn't have to find parking or wait for anything. Our tour guide, Albert, was informative, and also very funny. He made the tour a pleasure. As we boarded the bus after our last stop on the tour, the sky opened up and rain poured down, but only for about 10 minutes. By the time we reboarded the train, the rain was stopped and the sky sunny again. Along the tour we saw wildlife including deer, squirrels, condors, hawks, antelope, and of course, the Grand Canyon mules.
The trip back was just as good as the trip to the canyon. After about the first 1/2 of the trip, Chris and I went outside the car and stood on the back platform which was the end of the train as we continued toward Williams. Somehow, the train seemed more authentic out in the open air, with the sound of steel wheels clanking over the tracks and the smell of the smoke from the steam engine taking us back in time to the early 1900's when this was open range. We saw more antelope in the distance grazing and ignoring our passing.
All of a sudden the train slowed, then stopped! A band of three outlaws on horses came riding up beside the train and stopped it! Oh, no! We were outside the train on the platform, so had a great view of the whole ambush. Two of the bandits boarded the train and began harassing the passengers. Of course, it was all acting in fun. The "marshal" who rides the train was able to apprehend the outlaws before anyone was hurt, thank GOD!!!!! :)
After de-training (like de-plaing???) we went back to the motel to crash for a bit.....but not much time for rest, for the outlaws were back in the street for a gunfight.
Dinner was at diner called Cruisers Cafe 66----lots of retro stuff and old authentic gas station signs, pumps, etc and great murals painted on all the walls. Once again, great food and friendly staff made it enjoyable. After eating, Chris walked back to the motel, and I went for a walk in Williams to look in the gift shops and check out the neon in town. This town is really trying to come back from some lean times, it appears. Though there are a few empty store fronts, most of the businesses seem to be succeeding quite well and the whole downtown has a historic look to it.
Tomorrow we head on the longest continuous stretch of remaining 66 in Arizona between Seligman and Oatman, before ending up in Needles, California where we'll spend the night before taking on the Mojave Desert.
