Verde Canyon Railroad
During our Girlfriends’ Getaway in Sedona, Hope, Karen and I drove 30 minutes west for an adventure on a train.
First we drove up some steep and slightly nerve-wracking switchbacks to Jerome, Arizona, elevation 5,000 ft. Once a bustling copper mining town, it now bills itself as a ghost town. Main Street had charming and quirky bars and shops, plus magnificent views of the Verde Valley and snow-covered San Francisco Peaks (one of them, Humphrey’s Peak, is the highest point in Arizona).
Then we drive to nearby Clarkdale and took a scenic ride on the historic Verde Canyon Railroad. Verde Canyon is sometimes called “the Other Grand Canyon”; the train tracks wind through gorgeous red cliffs and bright green cottonwoods and mesquite growing along the Verde River. We were assigned to one of ten restored vintage train coaches, each with its own bar and restroom. We had champagne and cheese and charcuterie on board, and two bartenders/guides took good care of us. We could watch the constantly changing views either from the plush sofas in the air-conditioned coach, or from the adjacent open-air viewing car. It was fun to have options. And refreshments!
The ride was 20 miles out and back, and took just under 4 hours. It was both relaxing and exhilarating, and it was a special treat to enjoy each other’s company in such beautiful surroundings.
