All the kids left for home Sunday except Lisa and her 3 little ones. Its just so HOT in Mesa that she didn't want to leave yet and I don't blame her. Tami and Ryne were also still here, but they went to Greer on Monday to celebrate their 10 year anniversary that they never got to celebrate in May. Ryne's mom was watching their 3 little ones. Monday Lisa and I cleaned and got my house back in order after having a houseful.
On Tuesday we left at 5:15am and headed to Williams, AZ to meet up with Mark's family and Kari and her boys to ride the train to the Grand Canyon. They had invited us to go with them for our Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts! I was way excited, I've always wanted to ride that train!
Williams, AZ is a small little town that is supported mostly by 'Bearizona' and 'The Grand Canyon Railroad'.
Mark and Holly were staying in a nice campground. We walked over to some bleachers where they put on a little western show before we boarded the train.
It was a 2 hour and 15 minute ride. We were in one of the old Pullman cars with a really fun guy as our tour guide.
When we got there they told us we had 3 1/2 hours to see the canyon and to be back no later than 3:25 or the train would leave without us!!
WHAT A GRAND SITE!!
The kids thought they were starving, so we found a nice sit-down restaurant to eat at. That took a little longer than we had planned. But we decided we had time to walk the 2.1 mile trail along the canyon rim so we could really see the canyon.
Well, the littlest kids decided they didn't want to walk and really slowed us down. We were slowly realizing that time was getting away from us and we'd only gone 1.4 miles. We found out that we couldn't make it to the right bus stop in time that would take us back to the train depot, so we went to another one that meant we'd have to catch another different bus to get us there. So many people were already waiting that we didn't get on the first bus. By now we were getting worried about getting back in time!! We waited another 12 minutes for the next bus and crowded right in front to make sure we all got on.
The bus took us to a bus terminal of sorts and there we had to catch another bus that would take us to the train depot. When we pulled in we saw the right bus to take us and we all made a run for it!! It was only still there because it wasn't quite full or else it would've left! We all got on, praying we'd make it to the train in time. We ran all the way to our train car which was at the end of the train. By the time he punched all our tickets and we got on the train it was 3:24!! At 3:25 they closed the doors and at 3:30 the train pulled out!! We were so relieved and happy we made it!!
Prayers are definitely heard and answered!!
We said our goodbyes and got back on the road for a 3 hour drive home! It was a super fun day spent with our kids at one of the
7 Wonders of the World!!
Back on the home front, the next day Lisa and kids enjoy our nice cool weather and other country activities! Like picking pie cherries!
Our pie cherry tree is always loaded!
I didn't need any more jelly or cherry pie filling so I just put them all in my steamer and got the juice. So much easier than pitting them all! I got 20 qts.
Landon was more interested in Gpa's ride lawn mower than picking cherries!
One of three of LaVerl's gardens.
Tami got back from Greer and spent a lot of time here with her sister!
Just relaxing watching the turkeys and chickens!
Summertime fun in Eagar!
