Marley Makes 3: 24.05.15 Verde Canyon Railroad

24.05.15 Happy Birthday to me! My wonderful husband made me a delicious breakfast of "spit in the eye." Brought back memories of home.

Then he surprised me with tickets for a four hour train ride into the Verde Canyon from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back. The train is a refurbished antique train that follows the route of an old Santa Fe branch line. The rail was originally used by copper mines.

We were almost late! On our way we encountered a road closure due to an accident. The town of Cottonwood is all built in circles and dead ends and was like a maze we couldn't find our way out! We stopped and talked to a local older gentleman and although he was very nice, he was not helpful. We were finally able to get back on the road and were the last to board!

The ride was complete with comfy chairs, air conditioning and a bathroom!

Our car was called the Sycamore Car

There was a delicious hors d'oeuvres assortment and a champagne, or apple juice toast to get the wheels rolling.

The four-hour 40 mile ride on Verde Canyon Railroad’s historic route from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back – into the Verde Canyon. Between milepost 30 and Perkinsville, most of the land along the railroad right-of-way is in the Prescott National Forest or the Coconino National Forest (across the river). This historic rail runs through protected land lined with towering red rock pinnacles, near ancient Indian ruins, over fortified bridges and through a curved 734-foot manmade tunnel carved through solid rock over a century ago.

There was narration and music going on the entire trip. We went over bridges and through a tunnel with only 6" of clearance and we were warned!

We saw forests. a river, cliffs and of course canyons.

We could go out onto the viewing car. There were benches there too but most people stood along the rails. It was quite breezy and cool with a few sprinkles thrown in at one point.

The old whistle stop in Perkinsville was the turning point where we stopped and the engine moved to the other end of the train for the ride back to the depot. This is still a working cattle ranch with the old railroad buildings and depot still standing.

Al tried a local beer. I had a mango smoothie...so good!

This old railroad depot appeared in the 1962 movie "How the West Was Won."

We met a couple from Southern California. They had been to Wisconsin to the New Glarus Brewery. They said if we ever come to Southern California, please bring Spotted Cow!

My video is below. Please excuse the lens. I promise it won't happen again! I added a few more videos under resources and their lens was clear.

Aunt Patti, you said you didn't like the music, but...YouTube is very strict about copyright and I only have a few free choices of music to use without paying royalty fees. They will not publish a video if it infringes on copyright laws. So, you get the free music.

Maybe I'll start singing for you! LOL