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A
Mother’s Day Memory
On the
Verde
Canyon
Railroad
We celebrated the first Mother’s Day after
we moved to
Arizona
on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Our youngest daughters were 6 and 8 at the time. In a
photograph we took in the train’s open-air, viewing car that
memorable afternoon, the wilderness is behind us and a breeze is
blowing through our hair. We all have big, satisfied smiles.
To this day we look upon that excursion as
our first real Southwestern adventure. On the four-hour round-trip
ride from the Clarkdale Depot to the legendary town of
Perkinsville, we clickety-clacked under eagles and blue heron;
along the Verde River; near abandoned mines, ranches and Indian
dwellings; over well-used trestles; past crimson cliffs and
through a 680-foot manmade tunnel. All
the while, we were soaking up the vast open space.
My daughters enjoyed examining the vintage
locomotives and interacting with the amiable conductor, who
pointed out special sights along the way, including camouflaged
wildlife and rocks that looked like animals. My husband was
fascinated by the piped-in narration with its insights into the
area’s history, archeology and geology. I savored the slow,
relaxing pace of the scenic ride.
We all indulged in refreshments along the
way. (First-class passengers get complimentary appetizers,
beverages and cookies and ride on cushy, living-room style seats;
coach passengers ride on more traditional train-style seating and
can purchase munchies from the snack bar.) The afternoon was
delightful, and we came home refreshed.
For me, there’s no better way to celebrate
Mother’s Day than with my children—in the open air with
nature’s beauty all around. That first Southwestern Mother’s
Day into unspoiled
Verde
Canyon
is a memory I’ll always cherish.
--Sylvia
Somerville
This
year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 11.
Verde
Canyon
Railroad has a special gift for all mothers celebrating Mother’s
Day aboard the train. On
June 15, 2008
—Father’s Day—dads will be the honored riders.
For more information, visit www.verdecanyonrr.com
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