Am sitting in a sweet-little coffee house in an enchanting town on the western side of Arizona called Williams...am awestruck at the beauty and the people... met a woman in the Whistle Stop Bookstore who  I had an immediate connection with...she is planning on opening a place connected to the bookstore that will have yoga... and guess what?? she is looking for a yoga teacher... huh? interesting!! Since I am looking into yoga teacher training in Sedona this fall... anyway...

Last night stayed in a great camping place just west of Flagstaff... a huge thunderstorm came in again... amazing lightening and thunder.. quite a sight...slept well... woke to clear, crisp mountain air with huge ponderosa pines surrounding my campsite...

The drive yesterday through New Mexico was fantastic... it certainly is the land of enchantment.. my discovery of New Mexico has only just begun... as I think at some point in the future I will return to the state...

Will be leaving in a few hours for Vegas... the temperature there will be off the charts...so, blessings of protection to my RV as she safely takes us to Truckee...

Thanks to my lifelong kindergarten friend for the phone call with good news in her life... would love to hear any good news you have as well... good news is infectious and only invites more of the same!!!

Also.. listened to some Hank Williams III on the way into Flagstaff as the sun was setting beautious colors behind the backdrop of magestic mountains.. thanks for the tunes T.

Love and light to you all!

The GCR Hotel & Maswik Lodge were very clean and had the all important coffee pot in our room!! LOL Seriously, it was very comfortable and clean. The staff were hospitable. The northern rooms at the Maswik Lodge are newly refurbished and have air conditioning. We had a room on the 2nd floor with a small deck. Great for viewing the wild life roaming around in the early morning. We purchased a package deal. For this time of year, luxury parlor class seats on the train from Williams, Arizona to and from the Grand Canyon, 4 days 3 nights (2 nights in Williams & 1 at the Maswik Lodge at the Canyon), tour of the south rim, 2 breakfasts & 2 dinners (Max & Thelma's - Williams), 1 lunch (Maswik Lodge - the Canyon) $20 gift shop certificate per person, all for just over 1k. You can eat at the buffet or you are provided with a voucher for up to $13.95 per meal (dinner/breakfast). We ate the buffet for breakfast because we're not big morning eaters. Lunch buffet at the Canyon was tough. Sat very heavy and we didn't over indulge. Our choice for dinner at the Canyon was the Bright Angel (Bright Angel Lodge). Dinner for two, no alcohol ran about $53 with tip. I highly recommend the Grand Canyon Railway. Luxury Parlor is the final 2 cars on the train and includ a platform on the rear. Full bars ($3.50 for a drink) throughout the cars & snacks are provided gratis. These 2 cars do not allow children but the forward cars do. They are most accommodating with 2 observation cars as well. All the cars are refurbished and beautiful. Singing cowboys, historical facts, and outstanding staff on the train. Wild West show prior to departure and you are robbed by bandits on the return trip to Williams. If you like minimal crowds/tourists, I recommend traveling prior to Memorial weekend and mid week. I do not recommend this trip for small children. Kids maybe 9 & older would enjoy it. I become nervous with small children running too close to the edge of the canyon. Oh, I almost neglected to say that travelers with mobility restrictions are well cared for. Some buses have ramps to make it a bit easier to board and enjoy the tour. Of course ask your travel agent in advance to make the necessary arrangements. We will make this trip again but would like to go during the winter months and stay at the El Tovar Hotel. It's the oldest hotel at the canyon and is full of charm & character. Rooms range $142 to $322 for suites and kids under 16 stay for free. Rooms at the Maswik North are $138 - Maswik South $77 - Maswik cabins $79 and kids under 16 also stay for free. There are a couple of other hotel/lodges available: Bright Angel Lodge, Thunderbird & Kachina Lodges, Yavapai Lodge, and Traveler Village with full hookups. The Grand Canyon Railway runs every day except Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. The steam engine runs during the summer season and the diesel during the off season. I've heard different accounts of the mule ride to the bottom of the canyon. Anywhere from 3 mos to 1 1/2 yr in advance reservation required. We attempted to slide in on a cancellation but no luck. There is a weight restriction of no more than 200 lbs to ride the mules. There's an overnight mule trip down the canyon and a day trip. Lots and lots of hiking also with camping overnight at the bottom on the canyon. This is a completely different trip than the one offered by Amtrak. AAA has all the info you require aaa.com It's fun!!!!!

Williams is the I-40 town that you stop at to visit the Grand Canyon, the best I can tell. The Grand Canyon Railway leaves from Williams and takes two and a half hours to get to the Canyon. That sounds like it might be fun.