Today we went on the Grand Canyon Railway. Upon a recommendation, we opted for tickets on the Parlor car. This is the car that is the very last one on the train, and has a platform so you can stand outdoors while the train is moving. We all liked it quite a lot! There were also snacks, and a bar. I didn’t walk up to the dining car, but Greg and Ryan did walk up 7 cars and check it out. Sydney was our car attendant, and she took great care of us. It was also her birthday—Happy Birthday, Sydney!
This was Gillian’s first time to see the Grand Canyon since she joined us yesterday. She agreed that it is aptly named. Today, we ate lunch at the El Tovar hotel, were in the historic village, and also another section of the Rim Trail. From these vantage points, we were able to watch some of the California condors (conservation project) that have been released. These condors are huge! The Grand Canyon is just even bigger.
Once again I had to stop Greg from filming tourists feeding squirrels/ about to be bitten. He thought we could have had a viral video, but I didn’t want to lose part of our day having to wait for them to get medical attention.
More on the Railway. It is delightfully cheesy! We 100% embraced our touristy selves and enjoyed the Western show prior to boarding, the on-board entertainment, and the train robbery on the way back. Our first singing cowboy (way to the canyon), started out with “On the Road Again”. Most of you probably do not know, but we start each leg of our driving journeys with this Willie Nelson classic. Obviously, our railway trip was destined. Our return cowboy was equally entertaining and included some of his original songs. Upon Sydney’s recommendation, I requested “Pug with Opposable Thumbs”. Very catchy! As for the Cataract Creek gang train robbery, I did have some real concerns about Gillian and Ryan either 1. Screaming so authentically that the conductor was afraid someone actually fell off the train, or 2. Having 25 minutes to prepare a counter attack that included jumping out of the bathroom. Never fear, while we were clearly the most committed participants in our train car, we were robbed appropriately. Oh, and Gillian did give a real scream when that third gang member came up behind her just a few minutes after the initial intrusion.
Audrey got a great book about all the deaths that have been associated with the Grand Canyon, and while I have yet to get her to read a page of summer reading choices, she is well into this book. Oh, and she introduced us (Ryan and Gillian, and I guess the rest of the world, already knew) to the Cow Game. Apparently, when you see cows, you can declare “Those are my cows!” You are trying to have the most cows (I think). BUT, if you see a cemetery you can call “All your cows are dead!” and everyone else’s cows are dead and they have to start over.
Ok, one last note about the Grand Canyon Railway, and really life in general. Experiences will be what you make them. Go in with an open mind, a joyful heart, ready to participate. If that’s not you, do something else. We loved it!
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