photo credit: five eyes on flickr.com
Tip the scales from ordinary to extraordinary in celebrating Dad on his special day. Throw Papa ON the Train for Father’s Day on June 21,2009. Riding the rails with loving sons and daughters in the relaxing climate-controlled cars of Verde Canyon Railroad will weigh in as a golden memory. The train gently slaloms through the pristine wilderness of Verde Canyon with breathtaking views around each bend. Cottonwoods and mesquites display their fullest bloom alongside the winding Verde River; wildflowers in flashy ruby, cobalt and gold blaze the hillsides, and crimson sandstone cliffs jut into the azure sky.
Keeping in mind the old saying, “the way to a man’s heart….,” come early and treat Dad to the Copper Spike Café BBQ on the outdoor patio to commence the Father’s Day festivities. Then with his special gift in hand, Throw Papa on the Train for a fun-filled afternoon. Dad will delight in the historical narration of the once-flourishing copper mines and the rugged men who completed this rail line in 1912. He’ll sport a boyish grin as the train passes through the 680-foot manmade tunnel and over the lofty S.O.B. trestle-style bridge.
Verde Canyon Railroad
Dad will feel like a king, bestowed with a special gift and surrounded by pampering rail staff. He’ll ponder how dads from the past took their roles as the “head of household” as the train’s narrator points out the ancient Sinagua Indian cliff dwellings and old homesteader ranch house on the valley floor. Stroll with Dad to the open-air cars for a superb view of the huge nest of Black and Decker, the resident bald eagle couple. Catching sight of their fledglings testing their wings in flight will warrant giving Mom an extra hug as sons and daughters remember her encouragement to chance new horizons.
Leaving the bustling city behind to drink in the soothing elixir of nature’s beauty, spiced with tales of the Old West, is a way to show your love and gratitude to Dad for his years of parenting that will long be remembered.
The round trip to Perkinsville and back departs the depot at 1:00 pm and returns at 5:00 pm, just in time to treat Pa to toe-tapping entertainment and a feast of cowboy vittles at the nearby Blazin’M Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Show.
For train reservations call 1-800-293-7245 or book on-line at www.verdecayonrr.com. The cowpoke dinner show can be conveniently booked at the same time.
The Verde Canyon Railroad depot is located in Clarkdale, 25 minutes from Sedona, two hours north of Phoenix, and one and one-half hours south of Flagstaff. Passengers are encouraged to arrive approximately one and one-half hours prior to departure.
