June 25, 2006

Hello, Jim here. We started the day with a great breakfast buffet at the hotel followed by a very entertaining gunfight. We then boarded the train for the Grand Canyon. The ride was enjoyable with a strolling guitar player singing both Country and Western tunes. We walked from the train right to the south rim of the canyon. Surreal! Words and pictures cannot do justice to the unbelievable immensity and beauty of the Grand Canyon. The only down side is the air is hazy from a couple fires burning to the west. Nevertheless, the scenery is breathtaking. We ate our box lunch and enjoyed a bus tour toward the west on the rim. Each spot we stopped was equally wonderful. The tour driver was very good and because I didn't have change, I over tipped him when we were done. We walked about 200 yards to wait for the shuttle to take us to our hotel. Apparently, it helps to be a big tipper since the empty tour bus pulled over when he saw us, told us to get on and gave us a ride directly to our hotel. After resting for a while and grabbing a relatively quick bite to eat, we decided to walk to the rim for the sunset. Disappointing doesn’t quite do it, eerie is more like it. The air smelled like a campfire and there was ash floating in the air. There was a bizarre glow over the canyon and you could not see very far at all. The canyon was full of smoke. Very weird! Hopefully the winds will change and clear things out for tomorrow.