Dateline Dayton – Continuing our Grand Canyon holiday:
Tuesday morning’s breakfast was at the hotel in Kingman, and then it was on to Williams, where we would spend the night before our train ride to the Grand Canyon. Arriving in Williams shortly before noon, we went to the train station and got our tickets for the train and our meals, which were included in the package. We visited the gift shops in both the depot and restaurant before entering the Golden Arches for something to eat, since we would be having a big supper.
After nourishment, we proceeded to downtown Williams for window shopping. I purchased, you guessed it, postcards. Pauline found a casual dress she liked. After walking both sides of the street, we went to our hotel to get checked-in for the night. Before supper, all four of us took a well deserved nap.
Wednesday started with breakfast and a Western show prior to boarding the train for the Canyon. The ride was beautiful and slow. We chose a dome car, which gave a great view of the landscape, which was worth the extra money. We also were treated to refreshments and entertainment.
From the train, a bus took us to our lunch location and then a tour of the Canyon. Breathtaking is the only way to describe Canyon. One view is more spectacular than the last one.
Later we went to the lodge to get our room only to find that they weren’t ready. We visited the gift shop in the lodge. Happily, I found more postcards.
Our rooms were a short distance from the lodge. Fortunately, the luggage we took for this part of the trip was delivered to our room so we didn’t have to deal with that.
We chose an extra sunset tour, and at 6 o’clock, , we boarded our bus for a tour and then on to a location for enjoying the sunset. I haven’t got my pictures – still using film – but my sister, also still using film, has hers, and they turned out great. The weather was hazy, and the sunset wasn’t as outstanding as they described it. Several wildfires in Arizona and Nevada probably contributed to the haze.
For supper, we were on our own, and we picked a pizza parlor in the lodge. At 10:30 that evening, 10:30 Pauline became sick, and her ill feeling lasted all night. She still was ailing in the morning she was still sick, and so I went to breakfast with my sister and brother-in-law. Upon my return, she still wasn’t better. I suggested a trip to the medical center. She agreed.
I called for a cab that arrived promptly. The driver, Ed, was a great guy, really concerned about Pauline. When he dropped us off, he promised to say a prayer for us. I believe he did.
We waited for what seemed like hours to me and worse for Pauline. Once inside, she received outstanding care from the staff. She had a virus, was put on an IV for dehydration and given oxygen. In an hour she was better. She swallowed a pill that took care of her nausea. By 2:30 she was okayed for the train ride back to Williams. However, she needed to remain on the oxygen during the train trip.
This I couldn’t believe. When she was given provided a tank of oxygen, we were told to leave it with the hostess in our train car. Bill, the Station Master, would see that it was returned to the medical center. All I paid was our co-pay. I didn’t sign for the oxygen or pay a deposit. What service.
Ed the cabbie came again to take us to the train station. He was glad to see that we would be able to make the train trip back to Williams. The ride was as nice as the day before. Refreshments, entertainment, as well as a train robbery.
Back in Williams – now what?
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net
