On the Road Again!

We arrived about 1145. Entertainment on the train had included a singer who played the accordion. Being British means being reticent. But we joined in the singing. Our carriage guy Nickolaus was very informative and spoke to everyone at length to help us get the most out of the trip. After all, we were only going to have about three and a half hours there. As the ladies always take longer in the rest rooms, I went to take some pix of the train. Where's my phone? I backtracked to the rail car and searched high and low. Nada. Nickolaus was changed out of his uniform and helped look. A really nice guy with a peach of a job!   More backtracking, into the gloom of the men's room, and there it was under the washbasins. Sadly face down. Scratched but at leas  had it back.  So the tour starts, using the map in the newspaper that was on the train. Nick suggested if we walked from the El Tovar and rail depot to the visitor centre, getting the free shuttle bus back would be better. ...

Grand Canyon Day We were up bright and early. The new Walmart $14 rucksack was packed with essentials; sun cream, cameras etc. Breakfast was across the road at Pine County before we went across to the station to watch the western shootout before boarding. We had seen a different group shoot-out in the street the evening  before and this group were as funny, with an (un)willing volunteer from the crowd assisting. Then we boarded. We had the dome car out and in the heat I was dreading it, but the aircon was excellent. Our carriage crew was Nickolaus. From Williams and very funny all through with his commentary and advice on what to do for a mere three hours at the  Canyon.  On the way up as we were in the more premium seats, drinks and snacks were free.. We had a few OJ's and doughnuts. On arrival... TBC.

Although it was a nice day at home and after the decking had been jet washed it was too late to get the Rocket out. Autumn has started to arrive and it seems we bypassed summer. Some people may think that planning too much too soon spoils the spontaneity of the trip.  But I like to get a few plans under my belt in good time. It saves missing out on the things you want to see and do.  Been there and done that but was too late to get the t-shirt! Today's research was concerning the six nights after the timeshare. We want to go to the Grand Canyon. Anyone going to Arizona and not looking into the abyss has to be a bit strange.   Then I saw on my brother's blog that he has booked into the Wigwam Motel #6 on R66 in Holbrook. So that fired a bit of imagination. I read up about it on the web inc Tripadvisor. Currently it looks as though the diary for early June 2016 not yet open. What is open and booking up fast is the Grand Canyon Railway. This runs from Williams AZ to the sou...