Hey, just so you know ... this post is now about 24 years and 10 months old. Please keep that in mind as it very well may contain broken links and/or outdated information.

Today we had all to ourselves. It started with an early breakfast at the Maswik Lodge cafeteria. We then checked out of the Lodge and headed back to the Canyon’s rim.

We ended up walking most of the Southern Rim Trail, from the Kolb Studio all the way to the Yavpai Observation Station … with stops at the Visitor’s Center, general store, and other sites along the way. A grand total of maybe 4 miles. Doesn’t sound like much, but in 85+ degree weather at 7,000+ feet elevation, it was quite a workout.

We grabbed some sandwiches at the general store and caught a shuttle bus to the Western Rim Trail. We found a scenic spot to have a brief picnic lunch, followed by some more hiking on the rim trails.

Eventually, at 3:00pm, we headed back to the train station to catch the train back to Williams. This time we were in Observation Class, a glass-domed second level of one of the first-class cars. Quite a view. On the way back to Williams the train was stopped and boarded by outlaw cowboys who tried to rob most of the passengers. Thank goodness for the marshal and his men who rounded the scoundrels up and saved us all.

Returning to Williams, we grabbed our luggage from the train, threw it back into the Explorer waiting for us in the parking lot, and hit the highway for Phoenix.

The drive continued to be stunning as we drove through the mountains, descending over 5,000 feet in a little over an hour and a half. Pausing briefly at a rest stop to watch the sun set behind the mountains, we pushed on and arrived at our hotel in Phoenix a little past 9:00pm.

Tomorrow, Phoenix.