9 September 2009

Hi All: We were met by the Tour Guides vehicle at 0900 on 09/09/09. Won't be able to do that for a thousand years again I guess. He did not have any other customers for the trip, so we had our own personal guide for the trip. He drove us up the 60 miles to the Grand Canyon, then walked us around the area showing us the different points of interest, and pointed out what the different names for all the mountains that are contained within the Grand Canyon. The weather was perfect. A little chilly as you can see from the long sleeved shirts we had on, but we were able to discard them as the day went on. We got to witness the Indian Dancers there, Checked out the Hotel area, and of course lots of Gift Shops. I don't think Amy hurt me to bad in them. Had lunch at the restaurant there with the guide. He then turned us loose to roam around and even go to the ice cream place for a cone, and then picked us up at a predetermined area at 1430, and we then headed out for Williams again. He had a movie of the Mule trips that they have there, so we watched the movie on the way back. It did sprinkle on us up there but not enough to get us wet. BUT, after we got back to the Motor Home it really came down in buckets. Even lost the satellite signal during the rain storm. It did let up in time to see the Presidential speech which we tuned off and watched something else...We did hit the rack early being pretty tired from all the walking around up at the Big Ditch"...It was a super tour, and the Grand Canyon is about the most beautiful place we have ever seen. Have a couple photo's attached, but a photo cannot show the real value of the sight. Everyone should try to make a trip here some time in their life.. Be sure to get Marvelous Marvin to take you up there. There are several tour folks here, including a train trip up there and back. The train trip is 2 1/2 hours up and 2 1/2 hour back. The drop you off at the station up there and you are on your own then to just walk around wondering what you are seeing. The guide sure makes the trip much more meaningful we think. We have used Marv both times we have been here. He has been doing this for over 25 years, so he is very knowledgeable about the area. He takes about an hour to get up and another hour to get back the 60 miles to the "Big Ditch.

Amy goes to the Hair Dresser tomorrow. Not sure what we will do after that.

Got a note from a Marine who worked with me at the USMC Redeye Missile School, and his folks live in the Phoenix area, and he lives in California. He plans to come down to the Phoenix area while we are there visiting Jack and Yoli. Have not seen Van in an awful long time. Will be great to see him again. He was single when we were together, but now has joined the "Married Folks" ranks. Have never met his wife, and look forward to the meeting..

Well, better close this thing.

Semper Fi

Don, Amy & Pharaoh