THE GRAND CANYON

The Grand Canyon Railway Adventure

We started our day early—up at 6:00 a.m.—so we could get cleaned up and ready to roll. Our destination was Williams, Arizona, a town that looks like it belongs in a postcard from the late 1800s or early 1900s. Once a lively stop along Route 66, Williams nearly faded when the highway was rerouted—businesses were closing, and the town was struggling. Then someone had the brilliant idea to launch a train to the Grand Canyon, and that single move brought life back into the area. Today, the town is clearly doing everything it can to stay vibrant and inviting.

One especially fun tradition Williams has kept alive is a nightly gunfight show at 7:00 p.m.—a full-on Old West shootout that takes place somewhere different in town each night. They rotate the location so that visitors can pick a restaurant nearby and get the perfect seat for dinner and a show. It’s clever too: it helps every merchant along Route 66 get a crowd in front of their shop, creating an ever-moving buzz of energy downtown.

The highlight of our day was riding the Grand Canyon Railway. The journey was full of surprises and entertainment. A man came through playing a vintage organ box, a teeny tiny harmonica, and a full-sized one too. Another performer, armed with a fiddle, joked with the passengers and even let a few kids try their hand at playing.

Then the drama struck—cowboys on horseback appeared outside the train. Robbers! They jumped aboard mid-ride, staging a full-on train heist, and a sheriff followed not far behind. We never did find out if he caught them, but it was all part of the fun.

Our coach attendant, who shared that it was her very first day running her own boxcar, made the ride even more special. As we rolled through a scenic stretch, she sang a touching version of “Red River Valley” that added a sweet, nostalgic ending to our journey.

We were also honored to witness a special cultural performance at the Grand Canyon, two Indigenous women, one of them just 13 years old, sang traditional songs. Before they began, they gently reminded everyone not to clap afterward, explaining that when Indigenous people sing, it’s a form of prayer, and prayers aren’t meant to be applauded. It was a powerful and respectful moment—quiet, beautiful, and deeply moving.

The Grand Canyon itself. There are no real words to describe it. It’s simply breathtaking—a massive, awe-inspiring natural wonder. The visitor centers told the story of its history, from the first explorers to the rise of tourism. Once, only 40,000 visitors came each year. Now, that number has grown into the millions.

After the canyon, we wandered back into town and gave Nanny’s Tacos a try, based on some glowing reviews. Sadly... thumbs down from our crew. The food just didn’t live up to the hype and was far too spicy—especially for Janet, who had to wave the white flag. Thankfully, we cooled things down with a much-needed stop at Dairy Queen to soothe our taste buds.