Yesterday started out with a bang as we were treated to a shootout on main street by some really nasty individuals. It's important to note that before we left all of the desperadoes had been shot dead.
It was then time to board our train for the 62 mile journey to the gran canyon, a trip that would take two hours and fifteen minutes.
On the trip up to the canyon entertainment was provided with some boot stomping banjo music to help pass the time. We were also given information about what we were about to see and a little history lesson.
The first thing we saw on arrival was the Grand Canyon Railroad Station. Built in 1908 it is the last operating log depot in the U.S.
We also got our first view of the El Tovar Hotel. This was a joint project between Fred Harvey and the railroad to attract tourists ot the Grand Canyon.
A long ramp and 50 steps later we were at the front of the hotel and level with the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Here is a little information about the El Tovar. You can see from the picture, little has changed since it was originally built. Then it was time for a first look and the rather large hole in the ground.
Of course pictures don't begin to relate what you are looking at when you peer over the rim. To give you an idea of the enormity of the view the canyon is 277 river miles long and varies in width from 600 yards to 18 miles wide with an average width of 10 miles. The south rim, where we were is at 7,000 feet elevation and the average depth is 1 mile. One more picture of the canyon and the we will continue the trip tomorrow.
There was a team meeting this morning and it was decided we would stay in Williams one more day. This was decided based on a 30 mile an hour wind that no one was anxious to fight for a day of driving. We have learned that driving in the wind is not a way to enjoy the good life.
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