Anniversary Trip
7 years ago
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Day 3 - Williams, AZ to Grand Canyon, AZ
This morning we arrived at the Grand Canyon Railway at approximately 9:15 a.m. We boarded the train after witnessing a “wild west shootout.” The train runs from Williams, AZ to the rim of the Grand Canyon. The 65 mile trip takes over 2 hours as the speed limit for the train is 40 mph. It was a nice ride with lots of scenery. Singing cowboys walked through the train cars and sing old western and country songs.
We decided to be true tourists and boarded a bus as soon as we got off the train. Our bus fare included a hot buffet which was actually pretty good. We reboarded our bus and headed down some roads that cars are restricted from driving. We did see some really pretty sights. One of which was a “peninsula” type view point, where we were surrounded by the Canyon on three sides.
Let me interrupt here and say that I have no idea why parents bring small kids on this trip. For one thing it is pretty expensive and two, some are so small they won’t even remember it. And lastly, but certainly, the most thought provoking, many of the places along the rim of the Canyon where you would take pictures do not have rails or guards. If I had children with me, I would be so paranoid that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the view. I am paranoid enough with Jason as he likes to get near the edge. Part of the time, I know he is doing it just to make me freak out, but he does like to get better views too.
Of course, I bought this book called "Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon." The majority of deaths come from people getting too close to the edge and falling over. We also learned that the air space over the Canyon is restricted because a few decades ago, two planes smashed head on into each other over the Canyon while they were showing their passengers the view.
We arrived back in plenty of time to board our train. There is only one train and if you miss it, you are out of luck. There are only 5-6 lodges on the rim and on a Saturday night they would be booked. A taxi could be called but it would probably cost around $150 to get back to Williams, so we watched our time.
On our way back to Williams, our train was robbed by the same cowboys in the wild west shootout. The horses came running up to the train which of course stopped. The train was boarded by the thieves and folks gave up their pocket change to the robbers.
My hubby did a wonderful job planning our getaway. I never have to worry about not getting to the place on time, or getting lost on the way there. Love you, babe!
We decided to be true tourists and boarded a bus as soon as we got off the train. Our bus fare included a hot buffet which was actually pretty good. We reboarded our bus and headed down some roads that cars are restricted from driving. We did see some really pretty sights. One of which was a “peninsula” type view point, where we were surrounded by the Canyon on three sides.
Let me interrupt here and say that I have no idea why parents bring small kids on this trip. For one thing it is pretty expensive and two, some are so small they won’t even remember it. And lastly, but certainly, the most thought provoking, many of the places along the rim of the Canyon where you would take pictures do not have rails or guards. If I had children with me, I would be so paranoid that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the view. I am paranoid enough with Jason as he likes to get near the edge. Part of the time, I know he is doing it just to make me freak out, but he does like to get better views too.
Of course, I bought this book called "Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon." The majority of deaths come from people getting too close to the edge and falling over. We also learned that the air space over the Canyon is restricted because a few decades ago, two planes smashed head on into each other over the Canyon while they were showing their passengers the view.
We arrived back in plenty of time to board our train. There is only one train and if you miss it, you are out of luck. There are only 5-6 lodges on the rim and on a Saturday night they would be booked. A taxi could be called but it would probably cost around $150 to get back to Williams, so we watched our time.
On our way back to Williams, our train was robbed by the same cowboys in the wild west shootout. The horses came running up to the train which of course stopped. The train was boarded by the thieves and folks gave up their pocket change to the robbers.
My hubby did a wonderful job planning our getaway. I never have to worry about not getting to the place on time, or getting lost on the way there. Love you, babe!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Day 2 - Grand Canyon, AZ
Well, as the saying goes, there is simply no way to describe the natural beauty that I beheld today. We spent many hours in nature today and I am ready to go back for more. It is beyond words so I will just put some pictures on here. I took over 200 pictures today and I am going to have a terrible time picking and choosing.
~d - it isn't that I won't allow him to go. I am just scared for him. I have a healthy sense of adventure. I just know if I did something like that I would probably throw up and ruin the rest of my day.
He freaked me out a few times today. There are no bars at many places along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Jason can sometimes be klutzy and he was scaring me to death.
Oh and one exciting thing. Sunday night (our one year anniversary) we had reserved a nice hotel in Las Vegas. Today we found the most awesome place and we changed our reservation. The lodge is on the very edge of the Grand Canyon. We reserved a room overlooking the Grand Canyon for our one year anniversary. I am so excited. I would love to watch the sun rise over the canyon!
Little House on the Prairie (or at least it reminds me of it.)
~d - it isn't that I won't allow him to go. I am just scared for him. I have a healthy sense of adventure. I just know if I did something like that I would probably throw up and ruin the rest of my day.
He freaked me out a few times today. There are no bars at many places along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Jason can sometimes be klutzy and he was scaring me to death.
Oh and one exciting thing. Sunday night (our one year anniversary) we had reserved a nice hotel in Las Vegas. Today we found the most awesome place and we changed our reservation. The lodge is on the very edge of the Grand Canyon. We reserved a room overlooking the Grand Canyon for our one year anniversary. I am so excited. I would love to watch the sun rise over the canyon!
Little House on the Prairie (or at least it reminds me of it.)
Holy Dove Mountain Church - the tiniest, weirdest shaped church I have ever seen.
Handsome man, sweet car, mountain=natural beauty
The land beyond the "mountain" in this picture is the Painted Desert.
The Watchtower was built in the 1930's so that you could have a panoramic view of the Canyon. We went to the top of it. Here are a few pictures of the inside of it as well.
The road back to Flagstaff was very beautiful and scenic.
After a long day of walking and seeing everything, we arrived back at our Radisson Woodlands Hotel.
Day 1 - Dayton, OH to Las Vegas, NV
On the plane to Las Vegas approximately a 3 hour and 45 minute flight.
Me after driving with the top down on our convertible for a few hours.
We stopped to get gas in the middle of no where. Jay wanted a picture of this sign.
Jay driving away.
Downtown Las Vegas - Stratosphere. To the top observation deck is approximately 921 feet. However, if you look closely you can see a "needle" on top of this building. On the "needle" is a thrill ride called the Big Shot, where they catapult you to the top of the needle which is over 1,000 feet. Jason thinks he should be allowed to do it!
Downtown Las Vegas - Stratosphere. To the top observation deck is approximately 921 feet. However, if you look closely you can see a "needle" on top of this building. On the "needle" is a thrill ride called the Big Shot, where they catapult you to the top of the needle which is over 1,000 feet. Jason thinks he should be allowed to do it!
Hoover Dam - we will be going back to take the official tour on Monday if all goes as planned.
The edge of Lake Mead with mountains in the background.
We enjoyed the 75 mph speed limit on our trip from Las Vegas to Flagstaff, Arizona.
Colorado Rockies from the air approximately 38,000 feet up.
Downtown Las Vegas on the Strip.
I have no idea what the significance of the orange water is. I am sure someone probably knows.
We arrived in Arizona just after the Hoover Dam.
Hotels in Las Vegas.
This picture is of New York, New York which is supposed to be a "mini" of the real city. Except the mini is life size basically. Jason thinks he should be allowed to ride this roller coaster as well.
My bosses at work warned me. As soon as we walked off the plane, there were tons of slot machines right there in the airport. It was pretty amazing. We left Dayton Ohio at 9 a.m. and arrived at our hotel in Flagstaff at about 12 midnight eastern time, although the clocks here only read 9 p.m. Makes your time and sleep cycle get really messed up. No wonder I had a weird dream last night.
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