Dec. 28,
In the town of Clarksdale, there is a 4 hour train ride that takes tours through the Verde Canyon. We decided to take the ride yesterday and it was a beautiful ride. Personally, I love train travel. Kate and I took a 3 day journey from Boston to Seattle when she left for college. We then rented a car and drove to Eugene, Oregon.
On this particular day, the weather was sunny, warm and dry. It got up to about 65 by mid-afternoon. The train left around 1:00 and took us through the Verde Canyon. The train was originally used to transport copper when the mines were still open in the early 1900’s. Now, it is just a tourist excursion that took us through more of the gorgeous scenery that only deep canyons can provide. We followed the winding Verde River shaded by Cottonwoods, Sycamores, Junipers, Mesquite, and sage brush. The Cottonwood trees, although leafless, had large clumps of bright green leaves high in their branches. It turns out this is mistletoe, a parasite that appears this time of the year. As the train continued through the valley and ascended into the narrower portion of canyon the vegetation gives way to rock formations. The white basalt and red iron oxide form colorful layers on the sandstone. On several occasions, we could see evidence of the sinaqua people who lived in the cave formed by the rock outcropping. The sinaqua people lived in this area around 1100-1300AD and are thought to be ancestors of the Hopi Indians. They were farmers who grew corn and a variety of vegetables. It is thought they disappeared due to drought. All through this area of Arizona, there is evidence of the sinaqua people and their petroglyphs. What a hardy group of people who lived in these remote areas and climbed in and out of these canyons with ease!
Rock formations through the canyon are stunning. The afternoon light was constantly changing as the train moved through the canyon. It was a brilliant light show of red rocks and deep shadows.
The people on the train were tourists from all over the country, Massachusetts, Indiana, Michigan. A woman sitting behind me was anxious to tell me about the book she had just finished about a man who had died for 9 minutes, met Jesus who guided him through various rooms of hell. She explained, for example, if one was an alcoholic when they died they would go to a room where alcohol was served constantly but they couln’t get any. Whatever, your sins were on earth if you didn’t find redemption you would suffer that same way in hell. This book describes his tour with Jesus through the various rooms of hell. She asked me what I thought of this idea. A trick question! I responded that I have read and listened to many Buddhist teachings and like what they have to say. That ended our conversation.
We are still at the same RV park. I take a twenty minute walk everyday down to Clear Creek. It is a lovely spot to spend a few quiet moments. Mark is getting much better at preparing our meals outside. We need to cook in the middle afternoon around 2:30 when it is the warmest time of the day. Once the sun goes behind the mountains, the temperature drops quickly. Our water line still freezes every night which creates a minor problem for our toilet. The electric heater we bought is working out great. So far the nights have been toasty warm in the van. Susan Ingalls had given me a long list of recipes for outside cooking and they have been great. We had fajitas tonight which Mark was able to prepare perfectly.
Jack is still on his best behavior. He was due for some inoculations so we visited a local veterinarian who was I might add considerably cheaper than Maine.
We have two more days at this Park then we are off to Rancho Sedona for 5 days.
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