Sunday May 5, 2013
Up and at'em this morning to pack up. Heading to Williams, Arizona on Route 66. Not far from the Grand Canyon where we've got reservations to stay at a campground there on Tuesday 5/7. We'll stay in Williams two nights.
So, on the way we made a stop right off of I-40 to Winslow, Arizona. Well, I'm sure you've heard the song by the Eagles "Take It Easy", and I'm sure you know the words "well I'm standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona - such a fine sight to see - it's a girl my lord in a flat bed ford slowing down to to take a look at me". Well, we got to the "stand on the corner"!!!!!!!! Even saw the flat bed ford truck :)). How exciting can you get!! There were several little souvenir shops there playing Eagles music. Pretty neat!!
Robin talking on the phone to her brother, Butch.
Robin and Dennis "standing on the corner" in Winslow Arizona
Buttercup "standing on the corner"
Delicious lunch!! Seems like we sure eat a lot!!
We had parked Buttercup nearby so we just walked a little ways.
Then it was back on the road.
Made it to Williams, AZ and the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel & RV Park by about 4:00.
Got set up and hopped in the car to check out the town which was only a few blocks aways. Lot's of Rt 66 cafe's & many shops. Shopped around some then came back to Buttercup for dinner and a little TV. Great little town if you are ever in the area!!
This is where people can catch the train up to the Grand Canyon. The railroad tracks are right next to the RV park. Hear that whistle blowing!!!
This one is looking out our window in the camper at the campsite. Yes the whistles/horn blew during the night but Dennis only heard them a couple of times.
Monday May 6, 2013
After breakfast we walked over in the chilly weather to the train station to see what we could see. Lots of people buying tickets for the train ride to the Canyon. We heard good and bad about the ride, you really don't get to see any of the canyon from the train but you do see a lot of trees and nice scenery. We decided not to.
We did go to the cowboy shoot out. Some local actors put on a western skit.
Uh-oh Dennis has got competion!!
Dennis in trouble again!
Went back to the RV and decided to drive to Flagstaff for the day. But before we left town we had seen this bed and breakfast place called The Red Garter Inn so we decided to stop by the place. It also sold baked goods so Dennis and I split a cinnamon roll before we headed out of town. If we keep eating like this we're going to be in trouble!!
The two little pigs!!!
Of course we had to stop along the way at the Harley place.
Then went on to the Historic downtown Flagstaff for lunch and found a neat little diner on Route 66 for lunch then back to Williams.
Yes we had to try the shakes!!
Saw this camper, it had some really neat features but we decided to keep ours!
When we got back to Williams I found a place to get my hair cut finally - I was looking like a shaggy dog!!
Was lucky to find a place - she said most place were closed on Mondays. Dennis went back to the camper while I got a trim. I bet he took a nap even though he was a wake when I returned. So I packed him up in the car and we went back to town, its only 1/2 of mile from the campground. A little more shopping and a lite dinner at the pizza place. Yes, pizza, hadn't had it since we left Mechanicsville. Cute little place.
Dennis caught me window shopping.
Here's the pizza place.
Eating again!
And as the sun went down the street lights became so cool to see in this quaint little town.
Williams is about one hour from the canyon.
So until tomorrow, night night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robin and Dennis
Tuesday May 7, 2013
Left Williams this morning about 9:30 am. The ride to the Grand Canyon was only about 60 miles, so, thanks to my brother again, stopped at the Planes of Fame Museum in Valle, AZ. Butch served in the Air Force in the 60's, rose to the rank of Captain, and is always helpful in telling us about places he & Pat have been. Great little place in the middle of nowhere. Had lots of old planes, Air Force & Navy, old cars & several old motorcycles. Great way to pass a little time. Thanks again Butch!
Robin checking in with her tour guide (Butch)!!
One of the cars in the museum was a 1934 Ford Phaeton. That was to cool because our motor home is a Tiffin Phaeton. If you look closely the colors on both are similar, tan and maroon.
Arrived at the Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan about 12:00.
Tusayan is a small new town right outside the Grand Canyon park. Has a visitor center with an IMAX movie, camping, shopping, restaurants & hotels. We checked in and rode around to see what was in town. Got some info on the canyon and came back home to eat a bite of dinner. Since we were not able to get any TV channels (yes, no TV, no cable, and we don't have satellite - Dennis was not pleased), we hopped in the car and went to the General Store at Market Plaza. Since we are such "avid hikers" we figured we better get some hiking shoes for the trek tomorrow.
Cannot believe the weather - cold,windy, thunderstorms, hail & a little snow (brrrrr!!).
This was the snow and ice on our car from the inside.
May 7, 2013 at the Grand Canyon.
Then it on to the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium for an evening program by a guest National Park Ranger. He spoke about the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - talked about the effects of global warming on Crater Lake and the Grand Canyon. Sounds kinda boring, but actually it was very interesting. Dennis didn't fall asleep, so that was a plus!! Got some good information and we might actually put Crater Lake in Oregon on our list of things to see!! That lasted about an hour - we came out to head home and had a little snow on the car - imagine that!! But back home Buttercup was nice & warm!! Better get to bed for the our big day in the canyon tomorrow!!! Later........
Robin & Dennis
Wednesday May 8, 2013
Got up around our usual time, 7-8 am, depends on who you are talking about. Quick breakfast then off to the canyon we go. Parked the car and hit the trail in our new hiking foot wear. I would say boots but mine are low ankle cut and Dennis' are boots. He has weak ankles so he wanted something higher. He even wore his Mexican poncho/jacket. He looked so official with his hiking hat too.
AKA - Juan Valdez the tour guide!!
Just an FYI, Dennis wanted to do the mule ride down but he could not pass one stipulation for the mules. You have to weigh less than 200 pounds. Of course he weighs "201" he says, it must have been that milkshake he had the other day in Flagstaff. So all you folks who want to join Dennis for his next trip on the canyon mule ride. Suck it in before you make your reservations.
This is what happens to the mules if you are over the bench mark!!!!!
We took the shuttle bus from the parking lot and went to the South Kaibab Trailhead. This was our starting point for our hike. Some beautiful sights along the way.
Doesn't get much better than this!!
We stopped at Pipe Creek Vista, Mather Point, and Yavapai Point. The total distance was about 3 miles. We stopped at many of the locations that we could get to the ledge safely. Taking pictures, of course all the way, of the landscape, flowers, and even some wild life.
Talking with Beverly, Robin's sister.
Check out those hiking shoes, see how they grip the trail!!!
Dennis wanted to go out here to get his picture and I said absolutely NOT!!!!!
One of the seven wonders of the world! The canyon that is!!
We drank plenty of water and had some saltine crackers, just like the park ranger suggested.
Finished our hike and jumped back on a shuttle to take us to the car. From there we went back to the camper for lunch.
Well!!!! Dennis wanted to ride the motorcycle in the park so we got all the gear out and started to the park. Once inside the park, along with the cold temperatures it started to rain. We plugged along and went to the Hopi House (our friend Joe Brooks said not to miss this). Its an old house built in 1905 to house and sell Native Indian Art. The items were beautiful but had a few dollar signs on most everything. Saw a nice rug for $7000 but it just wouldn't go with our decor in Rose Hill, so Dennis says.
Back on the motorcycle and headed around the park towards Desert View.
Really like her haircut, she is so cute! But I think she is freezing riding the motorcycle Guess you know Dennis is writing this part :)).
We stopped a couple of places for the view but Dennis was worried about gas and the rain. I was worried about my freezing body, my hands were like ice cubes. Thank goodness he said lets go back to the camper, warm up, go out for dinner and then come back to the canyon in the car for another presentation by the rangers in theater that evening. Of course I said that was fine by me.
Back at the camper so we worked on the blog.
Then off to dinner at a steak place in the little town, next door to the campground.
A glass of red wine and a nice filet to finish the day.
Then it was back to the park for another ranger presentation. This was on John Wesley Powell who ran the Colorado River through the canyon in 1869 and documented his adventures. We did stop at Mather Point first to get some pictures of the sun setting. Awesome!
SO FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE PARK!
AND US, WE SAY GOOD NIGHT FROM THE
Robin and Dennis
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