Arizona: Part 1

Our first few days in Arizona have been supa' fun. I can't get over the scenery.
I know that sounds ironic, being that it is desert and all- side note: if you can't remember how to spell desert and dessert think "one 's' is for 'sun' and two 's's are for 'strawberry shortcake,'" respectively. Yeah, you're welcome.
The mountains, the vast sand and desert plants are just amazingly beautiful. Land runs a plenty, here. All around the interstates and everything. I can't help but think about how it is in most major cities, land snatched up all around. Albeit, I'm sure decent land is hard to come by around these parts, but, regardless, it is nice.
We spent the first evening with adventure boy's family before retiring to the Arizona Biltmore under Hilton's Waldorf-Astoria collection. I must say this was an awesome visit to mark off my bucket list. Our room was awesome and even had his and her sinks. There were 5 pools. Probably more actually, but we were only in for the night and passed out early.
We woke up for an awesome swim in an all-tile pool next to the Paradise pool, the main pool area. It was much quieter and more rectangular, great for lap swimming. Also, the amenities soaps smell heavenly. I'm seriously considering making a purchase upon my return stateside.
Afterwards we headed to Williams, AZ. A small town that is quite proud of being a small town at the end of the original Route 66. They feature gun shows every night of the summer just before 7 as well as several over-priced restaurants in old gas stations near old motels (or motor hotels if you prefer to call them by that).
Think radiator springs from the movie Cars.
Yep.
I'm not kidding.
Today we took a train adjacent to our hotel called the Grand Canyon Railway. Its a 2 hour ride to the canyon that leaves at 9:30 and returns at 3:30 from the canyon. They provide a fiddle player along the way as well as an interesting host in each car. You get robbed on the way back as the train slows down after passing by cowboys on horses that actually turn out to be robbers.
And I also mean robbed in the sense that they actually take money.
As does the fiddle player.
Everyone likes their gratuities.
Oh, and they take a picture of your party on the way up that cost $35 with a magnet.
And the tickets are a base-price of around $150.
Yes, robbed.
Although this was an awesome way to see the canyon. I had a blast. In hindsight we should have taken our backpacking gear with us, backpacked for a couple days, and then caught it back.
Oh, well.
Before heading to the canyon, we went to the Backcountry information center and somehow, someway, got backpacking permits for the weekend.
Mind you, people apparently get these years in advance.
Also, we've been getting denied permit requests since March.
So, we were pretty stoked we were going to get to do what we came here to do.
And then off to the canyon!
I was on Instagram, taking a picture of our newfound permit when the boy gripes at me for being on my phone while we were walking up on one of the most beautiful things in the world.
And I felt like an idiot.
Because he was right.
I was kind of embarrassed I was on my phone.
It was absolutely breathtaking. It looked fake it stretched so far.
It's not a world wonder for nothing.
I promise.
In a world where travel is getting boring since everything is becoming so americanized, this was a rejuvenation in true foreign experience.
Sure I didn't need a passport to come here, but, still.
It was incredible.
If you haven't ever seen it, go now.
There's a bus that runs along the trails that hug the rim. For the best view, I recommend Hopi. If you have the time, the of course go all the way down the red trail, stopping for jumping pictures along the way and take the bus back east-bound to the grand canyon village.
Be prepared and block up, no matter how nice it feels outside.
And don't forget a water bottle, they recently banned selling them.
If you bring a reusable one there are plenty of fountains around and they even have a count of how many bottle they've saved from the land fill at each station. Its pretty sweet.
Well, now we're in Tusuayana. Actually, I'm pretty sure I spelled that wrong and the internet connection is too slow to look it up.
By the by, the Best Western here rocks. They have a bowling alley, arcade, and rockin' pool. Much beyond most Best Western Standards in the rooms, too.
Well, that's all for part one since I probably won't be able to update until after our 3 day hike. And honestly, I will probably be too exhausted to update until we're waiting in the airport.
Frick.
I'm tired already.
Time to go fill up the Camelback.
Much love.