Five members of Let’s Travel spent five days and nights in the Sedona, Arizona, area as they participated in the Premier World Discovery Great Trains and Grand Canyons tour.
The tour began with a Sedona Trolley Tour. The tour introduced the travelers to the red rock formations that the Sedona area is known for. A ride to the airport mesa gave a great view of the surrounding area. A ride up the side of a mountain led the travelers to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The chapel was inspired and commissioned by a local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude.
Following lunch many travelers participated in the optional Pink Jeep Tour. One group rode through Coyote Canyon over a pretty rocky trail. They viewed Thunder Mountain which is one of the tallest peaks at 6,400 feet. It reportedly has 2,500 – 4,000 lightning strikes per year. The jeep tours were special because the travelers were able to get further from the highways and view the beautiful scenery just a little closer.
The second day in the area began with a ride through Oak Creek Canyon on the way to Williams, Arizona. Once in Williams, everyone boarded the Grand Canyon Railway. The train took passengers to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The group enjoyed views of the Grand Canyon while having time to have lunch alongside the canyon. The last part of the canyon visited was at the Desert View Watchtower. From this location one can actually see the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon as it winds through the canyon.
Day 3 of the tour began with a visit to Montezuma Castle. Here the travelers viewed cliff dwellings built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Sinagua Indians. From there a visit was made to an old mining town of Jerome. Jerome is on the side of a mountain surrounded by closed copper mines.
Then, on to Clarkdale to board the Verde Canyon Railroad. Once aboard the train passengers enjoyed a 4-hour ride through some beautiful country. The passengers were treated to a charcutier board at each seat to enjoy while riding between two national forests, past crimson cliffs, over old-fashioned trestles and through a 680-foot tunnel. There was an open car available where travelers could feel the breeze and feel a little closer to the beauty they were riding through.
Travelers had a choice the next day. They could have a day of leisure at the resort, spend time in Sedona, or they could participate in another optional tour. The optional tour involved traveling north to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Here, the visitors walked over the Bonito lava flow and viewed the Tefra which looks like rough boulders along a riverbed. After admiring the black beauty of this area, the bus continued to the Wupatki National Monument. In this area were the ruins of pueblos used by families. The Wupatki pueblo has 104 rooms. It is the largest and best preserved of the pueblos in this area.
The final night in the area was spent at the Blazing M Ranch for the final dinner. This ranch has many activities for all ages. Once the dinner bell rang, everyone went inside to enjoy a chuckwagon supper and a western stage show.
Much of the last day was spent at the airport in Phoenix. A major storm moved into the area and changed many flights and caused many flights to be cancelled. The group from this area had a few delays, but the flight was never cancelled.
Those travelers enjoying this tour in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona area were: Leslie Avery from Fairfield and her sister Peggy Beckham from Ennis; Stephen and Cleo Burlingame and Jerri McBay from Fairfield.
2026 promises to be another busy year for members of Let’s Travel. If there is enough interest, there will be a day trip to Marble Falls to visit the Beloved Gallery next year. The purpose of this trip will be to see the exhibit, “Akiane, the Early Years.” This exhibit includes the original Prince of Peace which Akiane painted when she was eight years old. Please use Google to learn about Akiane and her paintings.
There are two Collette tours on the calendar for next year. The first is scheduled for April 6-14. This tour is to celebrate our country’s 250th Anniversary. It includes Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and a few other exciting stops. Registration needs to be completed by October 5 to secure your spot.
Then, in September of 2026 travelers will have the opportunity to visit more of California. This tour will begin in San Diego, work its way north and inland to walk through the trails beside the giant Sequoias. Those participating in this tour will arrive in San Diego one day ahead of the tour in order to spend time at the San Diego Zoo.
Depending on interest, there could be a Premier tour in October of 2026. This would include a visit to Mackinac Island followed by a visit to Niagara Falls.
Please contact Jerri McBay at 903-388-2243 if interested in learning more about any of these tours.
(at top): POSING IN FRONT OF ROCK FORMATIONS known as “Praying Hands” and “Mother & Child” found beside the chapel of the Holy Cross are (left to right) Peggy Beckham, Leslie Avery, Cleo and Stephen Burlingame, and Jerri McBay. (Submitted Photo)
