Grand Canyon Railway

Categories: holidays

Date: 03 January 2009 05:23:16

A great way to travel to the Grand Canyon: in style, in comfort, and with great views. Particularly in a heated carriage when the board at the station told us snow and rather cool temperatures were expected. The Grand Canyon Railway began operating in 1901 but due to the rise of the car, it was sadly stopped in 1968. It was re-opened in 1989 by entrepreneurs Max and Thelma Biegert. I believe today it carries around 225,000 passengers a year.

As I have mentioned previously, I plumped for the Dome Class which was an upper-level glass enclosed dome and where you also got fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and juice. You could also buy alcohol, if the warning did not scare you off if you were pregnant. I was amazed to see similar warnings almost everywhere I went in the US -- and not only for pregnant ladies, for all. We do not have them here. I think I also saw them on a plane, or at least the air bridge, and warnings on menus about the dangers of food poisoning if the meat was not cooked properly: might cause you to go for the vegetarian option.

I travelled with a very friendly group of people and we talked, laughed and ate our way to the Grand Canyon. One of the highlights was hearing Clarence Clearwater -- a Navajo -- sing to us traditional songs, and also some songs with slightly updated lyrics [his rendition of Feliz Navidad included a wish for a Festivus!]; and I also learnt a little about Native American culture through his songs and talks which was great. I bought two CDs of his which I will enjoy listening to.

It was also an exceptionally beautiful trip, with stunning scenery that changed from plains to forests to hills and mountains on the horizon. We even saw a coyote [and some cows] on the way.

A most wonderful trip. And trains are great fun.