surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pine forests, 7,000 feet up, pure mountain air,
what else have we got here? oh yeah route 66 and the Grand Canyon Railway. It's
well worth a stop!
This is the historic grand canyon railway. The final piece of the railway
all the way from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon was completed in
1901 and it then became the way to reach that most famous landmark. In 1968 sadly
cars took over and the line was closed but happily for
everybody in 1989 it was restored. This is the historic station building at
Williams; very quiet and sleepy during the day but at nine o'clock in the
morning it's a totally different story!
There's a Wild West Show every morning at nine o'clock by the station and after
that everyone boards the train. It's good clean fun, although I think there were
some women in the Wild West. Never mind.
If you go on a day trip you get three and a half hours at the Grand Canyon
before coming back. That might not be that long but this has got to be the
most romantic way to get there.
I can't resist a cafe with a clever name - got to give it a try!
Williams main street is historic Route 66. In fact up until 1984 it was still in
operation and the trucks were hurtling through the center of the town. Williams
was actually the last town to be bypassed by Interstate 40 -
the reason hmm litigation something I do know a bit about. You just have to try an
original route 66 Diner when you're here. This is Twisters.
I wonder if I dare ask for a Pepsi Cola?!
Things can get very weird around here!
Cheers Williams!
If you like planes as well as trains then you'll love the great little Planes
of Fame Aviation Museum just half an hour's drive north of Williams. This is
the boneyard. There are Cold War jets from Russia
America and Britain all being blown about in the strong desert wind. I've been
staying at the Sheridan House Inn. Now I don't often stay at bed-and-breakfasts
because well sometimes the quality can be a bit variable, but I'd read
exceptional reviews about this place and they weren't wrong. In fact I'd go as far
as to say that if the ritz-carlton or shangri-la chains ever wanted to get
into B and B's then they should come here and take tips from Mark and Debbie
at the Sheridan. just outside Williams alongside the i-40 there's a stunning
new addition to the landscape. This is the Buddhist temple for world peace at
the Kadampa International Retreat Center Grand Canyon
From a Wild West gunfight in the morning to a world peace temple... I think that's
probably the right direction of travel!
I've really enjoyed spending time in Williams. Yes it is the perfect base for
exploring this part of Arizona but it's also a great little town to enjoy in its
own right. It''s way way more than just the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.