Reflections of a Mom's Life

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Our Trip Part 2: The Grand Canyon

After we drove around Vegas and finished up seeing what we wanted to see there, we started heading for The Grand Canyon. It was a three hour drive from Vegas to Williams, AZ - where we would be staying for the night. We loved that we were staying in Williams being as we ARE the Williams'! :) The drive was great. We drove over the Hoover Dam which was pretty cool (you cross over into AZ right in the middle of the Hoover Dam), through the desert - The Mohavi Desert, on into Williams, AZ where it there was snow on the ground! It was crazy to leave 60 degree weather to 40 degree COLD, WINDY, SNOWY weather.

Passing Lake Mead

Getting ready to go over the Dam





The Mohavi Desert

On the way to Williams, AZ there was NOTHING! I felt like we should have had our Bear Grylls Survival Handbook and Flint - any Man vs. Wild watchers out there, you know what a mean!

Historic Route 66 - This was for Harrison - he's a big fan of the CARS movie and if you remember the city that Lightning McQueen gets stuck in is Radiator Springs off of Route 66. Interstate 40 really does pass right over these little towns, just like the movie said! :) After Route 66 was established as a Historic Marker they say it's been busy ever since. People come just to see Historic Route 66. There is VERY LITTLE commercialization so the local restaurants are all there is to choose from. It was very quaint, like going back in time really.

We ate at Pancho McGillicuddy's - a local Mexican restaurant.

The restaurant is an old saloon called The Cabinet from back in the 1800's. It was really fun to read the history and imagine what it was like way back then! We stayed in Williams that night and then headed to The Grand Canyon the next morning - which by the way, it was FREEZING!!! 40's, snow, WIND, COLD!!! Anthony sure was glad I talked him into bringing his coat...he wanted to bring a little jacket...he would have been SO MISERABLE! Good thing he has me around to keep him straight! :)

See, desert to snow...weird, huh?

If you haven't been to The Grand Canyon, I can promise you these pictures just do not do it any justice! It is absolutely amazing and I was just in awe of God's creation the whole time we were there. We stopped right as we got into town and watched The Grand Canyon IMAX movie. It was so good! We knew we wouldn't be taking any tours so it was great to hear the history of when it was discovered and the exploration of the canyon over the years!







these railings seemed a bit rinky dink to me! let's just say i was glad i didn't have kids to worry about falling over the edge. they don't actually have railings everywhere...just in the MOST dangerous places but believe me, falling over the edge wouldn't take much effort at all!

This is how I looked for most of the day! It was SO COLD!!!



"Do nothing to mar it's grandeur for the ages have been at work on it and man cannot improve it. Keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you." Theodore Roosevelt

what a FUN anniversary trip this was! :)



I was SO SQUEEZED into this coat! It could barely zip over my prego belly but I made it work, it was too cold to not work! :)

I didn't go down these stairs, everything was so slippery because of the snow and with my pregnant clumsiness, I didn't want to become famous as the poor pregnant woman who slipped to her death at The Grand Canyon on her anniversary!







Anthony being Anthony, trying to pretend he's falling over the edge!



It really was the most incredible and amazing place I've ever been! I truly hope if you haven't been you can some day! It was AWESOME!!!

We had to go back on our way to Vegas and get a picture of the Williams sign!



Williams is known for the Grand Canyon Railway. What are the chances of that??? A city named Williams and known for the railroad??? We have to be related to this Williams guy some how!

18 comments:

Andy and Jen said...

Sounds like such a fun trip! Did you guys win any spending money while you were in Vegas? :) Happy anniversary! Gosh, it seems like you just got married. Time sure does fly.

Natalie said...

What an amazing trip!!! Such beautiful pictures....looks like fun!!!

Adam and Natalie said...

The scenery is beautiful! I would love to do a trip like that. You look so cute with your pregnant belly too!

Amanda said...

Looks like you guys had a well earned and deserved vacation! Congrats on 8 years, that is wonderful! And you look great by the way, I am dreading when I have to post pics of myself on the blog!

Janet said...

Wow! What a DREAM trip! How nice to just have that precious time together! We missed you!

Janet said...

Wow, again! Beth....I was finally able to post on your blog. Who knows what the deal was, but now watch out! :)

Jen said...

Absolutely amazing - what a sight to feast your eyes on. Your cameral takes great pictures, I can't imagine how beautiful it must be in person. Glad you guys got to experience seeing it.

C.L. said...

Beth, you look SO cute!

Katy said...

Those railings do look awfully dinky....so glad you survived it! It is absolutely breaktakingly beautiful - so fun! You guys look adorable in your "together" pictures. Totally love it.

Heather Estridge said...

Great pictures. I haven't been to the Grand Canyon yet but that is one place I would like to travel, especially after seeing your pictures. I'm glad you and your hubby could get away.

Vonda said...

Yeah Beth, the pixs are awesome! I had seen them earlier today but I just had to go back and really look at them and soak it all in. I remember going to the Grand Canyon back when Anthony was around 11 and he scared us all to death by doing what he was doing by pretending he was falling over the side. Now can you just imagine Harrison and Jackson scaring you to death like that when y'all go back one day??? So glad y'all had such a wonderful time celebrating your Anniversary! And it does look mighty cold and I'm so very glad y'all took your coats. Love ya -V

The Petersons said...

Oh my! The pictures are just incredible and I'm sure it's even more breathtaking in person. What a memorable trip for the two of you!

Heather said...

What a great trip! Jay and I were just saying that we would LOVE to see the Grand Canyon and wrote in on our list of places we want to see! Your pictures made me want to see it even more! Im so glad you had a great anniversary get away. That is so important to take time to be alone together once in a while!

Keith Miller said...

Hello Beth,

This is Anthony's cousin, Keith from SC. I found your blog on Ian and Vonda's blog and thought I'd check it out and say hi.

The pics are amazing. I hope I get to go to the Grand Canyon some day and I'd love to do the Route 66 thing too.

Anyway, I hope you're all well. You have a beautiful family and congrats on the little one on the way!

God Bless,
Keith

Bridgette said...

Beth! I can't believe that you were so close to us....yet so far away!:)(it's only a hour flight to Vegas~!) I'm glad you had a great trip though. How funny about Williams too! The Grand Canyon is definitely one you will have to take your kids back too, when they are older and can appreciate it. You look adorable btw!!:)

Jamie said...

Looks like an amazing time! I know Kevin would love to go and see that train if nothing else. Looks like a fabulous trip with lots of great pictures and sights to see. What wonderful memories!! :)

Phil, Gretch, and Finn said...

I loved the Grand Canyon when we were there as well! It is a true phenomenon!

Anonymous said...

Beth, The pictures of the Grand Canyon are such a treat to see. I hope one day I can visit. It is absolutely amazing the beauty that God orchestrated! Thanks for sharing!

Lianne