I'm Just Train Loco

I just love train journeys and the Grand Canyon Railway, originating in Williams, Arizona, offered a great opportunity to indulge my passion.

When I was in America's Southwest in 2009, I made sure I reserved 3 trips with my internet bookings. The Verde Canyon, Arizona, through desert country, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad, Colorado, through mountains, and the Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona, to that famous canyon. All very different trips.

Some journeys are about the train itself, others are about the country travelled through, or about the destination. The Grand Canyon Railway is more about the destination than the countryside en route. However, what happens on the train during its journey is quite memorable.


Before boarding the train, there's a bit of a cowboy shootout in an outdoor theatre. The characters board the train with the passengers and the comedy carries on during the journey. Our conductor was a very talented and funny woman who kept us entertained with stories about the scenery and the railway. On the way back from the canyon, we were even entertained by guitar playing cowboys.

The main attraction really is the time spent at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (engine pictured below). If you plan it properly you can go on some of the walks to the scenic spots and then catch the free buses to the lookouts. Just make sure that you're back in time to catch the train because it's a long and expensive process to return to Williams if you miss the train. We were well and truly warned!

Having modern carriages meant that the large glass windows couldn't be opened and so reflections marred many of the photos I took during the journey. However, it's still one of the great scenic railways that you must go on.

Check out the product below if you're into train journeys.

Overcome Fear with Focus

During a recent trip to Arizona, in America's Southwest, I visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

On the trail to Bright Angel Point I came across two couples. I couldn't help but hear their conversation as I passed them and continued along the path.



Three of the people were trying to comfort the fourth person, Paul, and cajole him to keep on going to the lookout. But Paul was petrified of heights and was reluctant to move.

Minding my own business wasn't an option because I knew just how crippling fear can be. So, I went back to the group and told Paul that I was a pilot who doesn't like heights and I could understand how he felt.

However, when I fly I'm strapped in with my seat belt, I'm safe and secure in the cockpit, and I'm concentrating on flying the aircraft. All those things help dissipate the fear of heights because I'm focusing on something other than my fear.

Trekking in Nepal was at times quite nerve racking because sometimes the paths were only two feet wide (the width of two feet, not twenty-four inches) with a drop down the mountain slope on one side. Not good for a person who doesn't like heights.

The only thing to do was to keep on going and focus on the path ahead and make sure that I didn't put a foot wrong.

The trail to Bright Angel Point was nowhere near as narrow as the path in Nepal, but the drop down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was still significant. I told Paul to focus on the path rather than focus on his fear of heights.

I then left the group and walked the rest of the way to Bright Angel Point. In a while, the four turned up at the view point with Paul looking quite pale. However, he had made it.

Later on, when I was checking out of my cabin and heading across to my car, Paul saw me and came over and thanked me. He told me that what I had said to him had actually helped.

If Paul had let his fear take control then he would have missed out on one of the world's great natural wonders.

So, two great tips for how to pilot your life (personal or business) are:

If you see that someone needs help and can benefit from your experiences and knowledge, go ahead and help.
One day it might be your turn to be on the receiving end.

Learn to overcome fear with focus.
Why let your fears stop you from enjoying some of life's wonderful experiences. Focus on something positive not the fear.

Two of my presentation topics are:

Follow your dreams (at any age)
How to pilot your life and navigate your way to success

This article is taken from my "Pilot Your Life" newsletter #2. Full colour versions of the newsletter are available by emailing me at fran@franwest.com.

Fran's Backpack - 20th January 2011

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.


Today's item in the Backpack is Hiking Grand Canyon National Park, 2nd [Kindle Edition] for $9.59.

I've visited both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon National Park and walked some of the trails. To really enjoy the park, you need to spend time hiking. With this kindle edition you can put it on the kindle reader and keep it handy in the backpack.

This comprehensive guide features detailed descriptions all of the park's developed trails, which number fifteen hikes on the South Rim and thirteen hikes on the North Rim.

From the Back Cover
For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuide® has set the standard for outdoor recreation guidebooks. Written by top outdoors experts and enthusiasts, each guide invites you to experience the endless adventure and rugged beauty of the great outdoors.

Hiking Grand Canyon National Park provides firsthand descriptions and detailed maps for all the developed trails in the Park. Veteran hiker and guidebook author Ron Adkison recommends his favorite routes, from easy day hikes suitable for novices and children to extended backpack trips for intrepid wilderness travelers. He also provides tips on safety, hiking with children, access, and services, as well as indispensable information about backcountry regulations, permits, and water sources.

Look inside to find:
Accurate directions to the trailheads
GPS-compatible maps
Difficulty ratings, trail contacts, fees/permits, best hiking seasons,
and much more

Click on the ad for even more information.

America’s Great West

Here's the link to an article I wrote for Tourism Adventures.

More photos of the Grand Canyon but from the South Rim this time.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5GOHJl/www.tourismadventures.com/americas-great-west/r:t

Fran West Adventure at the Grand Canyon, Arizona

This is one of the scenic wonders of the world without a doubt.

However, most people tend to visit the South Rim only. On this trip I made a point of heading for the North Rim which is a bit out of the way to reach.



There are still magnificent views and great walks and it is a lot quieter by comparison than the South Rim.

This is the view from Bright Angel Point.


Check out my Pilot Your Life newsletter #2 for a great story about this place and http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm