In Phoenix For Shannon's Graduation

We stayed in Phoenix for two days so we could attend Shannon's Graduation from Arizona State University for her Bachelors degree in Nursing. She already has her nursing degree and is a practicing nurse, but the BSN gives additional learning and better pay.

The kids made a bouquet for Shannon out of folded paper.

While in Phoenix, we visited Cabelas!

Ben want's an ATV.  Sarah enjoys tormenting him. 

We stayed at a very nice hotel called Phoenix Marriot Tempe at The Buttes.  It was quite nice. Only complaint was that it did not have free WiFi.

The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool.  There are two large pools that are connected by a canal.  You can swim through the canal and there is a window half way through.

We drove back to Los Angeles on Wednesday.  Total trip from Castaic->Williams->Phoenix and back to Castaic was 1,200 miles.

Williams To Phoenix

On Monday we drove from Williams Arizona to Phoenix Arizona.  We descended more than 5,000 feet in elevation along the way watched the temperature raise by about 30 degrees.  Along the way, we took a detour to go sight seeing along a dirt road through the Arizona Forest.

We stopped along the way to take some photos.  The mountains in the background are near Sedona, Arizona.

We continued down the road a total of 6 miles and  stopped at Schenbly Hill Vista for a great view of the mountains around Sedona. 

 

 

There were folks there from Sedona on a Jeep Tour, but our Minivan did just fine on the dirt road. Admittedly though, we came from the interstate 17 freeway side, not from Sedona. We drove back the way we came so we didn't find out what the road would have been like if we continued up to Sedona. 

We continued down the 17 freeway to Phoenix. The terrain changed quickly on the drive down the hill. Pine trees quickly gave way to small trees and shrubs.

The Grand Canyon Railway

We left Williams, AZ on Sunday morning to take a trip to the Grand Canyon via the Grand Canyon Railway.  It's a bit expensive at around $65 per ticket, but a fun way to travel.  If you are a AAA or AARP member, they offer a discount of around 10%.

Shannon's parents came along with us as well. 

 

 

The Pullman car we rode in was manufactured in 1923.

It was great seeing the different terrain and wildlife along the way to the Grand Canyon. 

 

 

There was a Steam Train at the Rim of the Grand Canyon when we arrived at the train station. Although our train was Diesel, they run a steam train once per month. 

 

The train brought us close the the rim of the grand canyon where we were able to walk over and get some pictures of the stunning views.

 

There's lots of things to explore around the top of the rim so the kids enjoyed exploring

The Squirrels were very tame and were looking for a handout.

There was a store called the Hopi House that sold Native American artwork.

I couldn't resist this shot

Williams Arizona Via Route 66

We left headed to Williams Arizona along Route 66.  It was a neat drive. After leaving Los Angeles County, we found ourselves out in desert terrain.

 We crossed the California->Arizona border after crossing the Colorado river.

 The terrain changed quickly as we got closer to Williams.

Once we arrived it was much cooler and greener with pine trees everywhere and snow on the mountain peaks.

Williams is nostalgic town with lots of tourist shops and neon.

There was also an old gas station converted to a museum.