Wild West

It could be said that the last area of the wild west is Arizona, the last territory on the mainland to join the Union.  Originally designated by Abraham Lincoln as a territory and then admitted as the 48th State in 1912, Arizona is a relatively young State, yet full of natural and human history.  It's late-coming was due in part to its wildness of both land and people.  Much folklore existent speaks of its colorful transplants, indigenous tribes and its grandeur.  Watch out, it still can be will.   We were just taking a leasurely train ride and look what we were faced with--a hold up!

Our February family venture to the Grand Canyon started in Williams, a small town west of Flagstaff and a little over an hour's drive north of Prescott.  The wild west show abounded with rough characters, a lawmen and the legendary shootout.  It was a crisp sunny morning but the reenactment was full of interest and action.  We were all warmed up with the action of conflict and gunfights and dirty card dealings.  It was great entertainment whatever your age, all staged prior to our train ride to the Grand Canyon.  There were ten of us in all - Floyd topped off the age bracket at nearly 89 and Xander and August brought up the bottom with the rare ages of two. 

The gunmen were no match for the town marshal

The train trip and all the extras cost each of us just $18.00 for the full day of adventure, a real bargain gained by a one-day special rate on President's day commemorating the trains early history on the "18th" of the month.  Normally the price per-person is $75.00.  For those not privelged by age or military service there is also a fee to enter the national park.

Below, two of our daughters, Kristin and Sarah, pose with their four young children and an unnamed actor and his trusty horse.  The upcoming train ride presented as much interest as did the gun slinger and his horse.

The diesel train pulled a full load to a sold out crowd of 1,000 souls.  Our family entourage enjoyed the trip on an old Pullman car built in 1925, my dad Floyd was only one year old.  Yes, there he is on the right with the baseball hat on.

The train trip also included live music in each train car.  To our surprise we discovered that the train company is the only employer in Northern Arizona that employs musicians full-time.

 

 

Now for what, no doubt, you have been waiting for- pictures of the Grand Canyon!  We spend only a few hours on the south rim edge, but I hope it will not be my last trip, but the first of many to come.

 

(Reminder, when viewing on the blog site, right click on the picture of your choice and click on open new window.  You will see a larger sized picture)

Dad Floyd with his youngest son, Kevin

It is a small world!  Hearing of the great bargain rate, our next door neighbors also took the train ride.  We caught up with them at the Lookout house.  Kirby and Brenda are great neighbors and they are becoming friends also.

Three generations on the edge.

Louise and Kevin enjoying the moment

The Grand Canyon with its many colors

Just looking at this scene makes me want to go back soon

On our trip back to Williams we caught a good view of  the San Franciso Peaks just north of Flagstaff.  Scientist believe this mountain was up to 3,000 feet higher a mere one thousand years ago when it blew its top off resulting in over 200 square miles of volcanic flow and ash.  Also, on our way back on the train we saw antelope and two female elk.  We ended our day eating at a small intimate Italian eatery in the old downtown of Williams.

Thanks for going on the trip with us.  See you next time!

 

Respite

I love this picture.  The four pelicans were flying along the shoreside at Solana Beach, California in mid-February on a beautiful warm day kissed with a gentle ocean breeze.  With camera in hand, I was spending a nice day with my oldest brother, Brian, as we shared out time and lives with our beloved dad.

We had decided to take a respite from the rare snow of winter in Prescott (see below) and trade it for a week in southern California to visit relatives and spend a little time at the beach. We took our trusty Ford truck hauling the trailer behind us with the intent of leaving the trailer at Louise's parent's home.  Our plan is to use the trailer as a home-away-from-home if the need arises as a couple of our close relatives battle life-threatening illness.

 

This snow came a day before our departure but roads were clear the day of our trip having melted away quickly.  Departing from Prescott we soon found ourselves in the desert drving west toward the familiar Pacific Ocean.  The following pictures were captured at Solana Beach with Sandpipers feasting on baby sandcrabs and other acquatic life. 

Donned in a "wetsuit" this surfer enjoyed his time. 

 On the sound end of Solana Beach is a small unassuming park planted and cared for by local seaside residents.  Pines do grow along some of the coast of southern California, but these native pines known as Torrey Pine are protected and rare.  It is my understand that Torrey Pines only grown here and on one offshore island.  All trails and roads give way to these precious trees.

 

Floyd is in his element scanning for seashells and rocks.

 And yes, he did come back home with pockets full, a load that weighed his jacket down but lifed his spirits greatly!

 

We visited brother, David, and his spouse, Ramona, in Ocean Beach, further south enjoying a day with them.  We enjoyed about half of our week with Louise's parents, John and Charline, brother, Paul, his wife Patty and their two teenaged daughters.  We said our goodbyes and headed to my brother, Craig's home to spend time with Craig and Eileen.  They live in Hemet, a community nestled below some of southern California's most beautiful mountains, which experienced the same storm-front Prescott shared.

Vista view of Hemet and the mountains to the north.

 

Diamond Valley Lake, a man-made lake of recent years now known for it premier lake fishing.

On our way back to Prescott I stopped out in the middle of nowhere to take a few shots, both beautiful and entertaining.  Yes, someone painted a frog!

 

 

We arrived back to Prescott on a Saturday evening in time for church on Sunday and a Monday train ride to the Grand Canyon with our two daughters, four young grandsons and our resident son-in-law; but that is another story...