A
big part of our Sedona area stay was to have first timer Cindy get to
experience what the area has to offer and it began with her oh-wows at the red
rocks driving up to Sedona and continued with more oh-wows at Meteor Crater so
today we took her to the Grand Canyon National Park for the ultimate oh-wow - the park is celebrating it's 100th birthday. After a 2½ hour drive, we began at the
Visitors Center where we watched the movie then went out to Mather Point
overlook.
You can tell many folks think spring is here as 31 RV's checked out of the resort on 3/1 and the place is much emptier than when we arrived.
While not really crowded, there were plenty of folks at the canyon and many of the young working age, which surprised me until I noticed that few were speaking English. While we may take them for granted, people come from all over the planet to visit our national parks.
Like
many of the western national parks, Grand Canyon contains a nice lodge with an
upscale restaurant. Built by the railroad as a destination resort, the El Tovar Hotel
has 78 rooms/suites, cost $250,000 to build and was opened in 1905 before the
Grand Canyon was protected by the federal government and it sits 20 feet from
the canyon rim.
We
decided that, in addition to seeing the canyon, Cindy should also dine at El Tovar
and we had no problem getting a table but we could not get one by a window.
Bev
ordered the Hot Pastrami - Swiss Cheese, Red Onion Jalapeño Confit, Grey Poupon
Dijon Mustard, on Locally Produced Marble Rye $13.40. No pic.
Cindy
had the 12-Grain Santa Fe Sandwich - Roasted Green Chile Hummus, Grilled
Portobello Mushroom, Fresh Avocado, Grilled
Red Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Locally Produced
12-Grain Bread $13.20
Pat
had the Traditional Navajo Taco - Choice of Seasoned Arizona Grown Ground Beef
with Pinto & Black Beans or Vegetarian Chili, Fresh
Hand-made Fry Bread, Shredded Cheddar, Red Onion, Fresh Tomato, Chopped Lettuce,
House-made Guacamole, Sour Cream, Fresh Salsa $12.45
And I
had the Shaved Prime Rib Melt - Shaved Arizona Grown Prime Rib, Roasted Red
Peppers, Bleu Cheese Spread, Provolone, Arugula, Grilled Locally Produced Sourdough
Bread $15.95
Everyone
enjoyed their meals but Bev, who ended up with a room temperature (vs. hot) sandwich that
was not particularly tasty. Pat and I
especially enjoyed ours and I believe when eating here, I paid $9 for my food and $7 for where I ate it, which was well worth it..
These
shots are for the canyon rim beside the El Tovar.
After lunch, the girls went next door.
So for this day, we got oh-wows from Cindy for the park, for the canyon, and for the dining experience.
By Friday, with three days of activity and Bev still not totally well, she decided to hang around the coach and just rest and I decided to cook supper. We had baked potato, baked chicken breast, and baked salmon for Cindy and me.
By Friday, with three days of activity and Bev still not totally well, she decided to hang around the coach and just rest and I decided to cook supper. We had baked potato, baked chicken breast, and baked salmon for Cindy and me.
You can tell many folks think spring is here as 31 RV's checked out of the resort on 3/1 and the place is much emptier than when we arrived.
Photos
can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.
Have
a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
2/28
– 3/1/19 event date
Sure sounds like you have an awesome day at the Grand Canyon.
ReplyDeleteWe ate lunch at the El Tovar when we went to the canyon back in 2007, We really enjoyed the train ride up and back too plus the free hop on hop of buses along the enjoy.
Larry, It has been a long time since we've been to the Grand Canyon and never when there was snow. We did try to visit the north rim once in May but because it's a higher elevation, it was still snowed in and closed. You are right...pricey food can be worth it in the right setting or for the 'right' experience. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeletePatrick and Cass went to the Grand Canyon 3 years ago for their first visits ever, with a friend who was running in a race, and camped there. They said it was amazing, and a great brother/sister visit. Of course, they had to be mindful of Thatcher, who wanted to race off the edge and see what happened. Good thing his leash was only 6 feet long. Sorry Bev wasn't feeling well.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to the Grand Canyon. On my bucket list. And that food at El Tovar looks fab.
ReplyDeleteIt is a coincidence that you are in the Grand Canyon when I just got notice I will be hiking the Grand Canyon in March 2020. We just got our coveted and not easy to get permits to hike from top to bottom. I may have to have one of those shaved prime rib melt.
ReplyDeleteWe took the train from Williams up to the Canyon a few years ago and ate at that same restaurant, but were lucky to get a window seat somehow. Sadly, the day we were there it was a complete white out so we could see nothing! The following day was perfectly clear so we took the motor home up to see the amazing views. I cried my eyes out. Great photos & thanks for the trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteOh wows from me as well. The trip, the view and the food all look great!
ReplyDelete