Southwest Splendors: The Good, The Bad and the Thunderbird

[sayhello]

Ah, kristilew, what can I say? I haven't been on the Peru trip, so perhaps that's why SWS didn't pale in comparison to me. I have to wonder how much of this had to do with your guides being exhausted, because the guides really DO make a huge difference in the trip to me. Cheryl & Chris were up & energetic & constantly around. I'm sorry the trip wasn't everything you'd hoped it would be. But I'm glad you *did* enjoy it. The American Southwest is just amazingly spectacular!

I'm really pretty surprised at what your guide said about the Thunderbird in comparison to the Grand Hotel in Tusayan. While it wasn't fancy, it was a perfectly nice hotel, and didn't have any of the kinds of issues you described for the Thunderbird. Looking at your picture vs. what I remember of the Grand... well, the Thunderbird has prettier tile in the bathroom, but that's about all!

Hey! You had Tom! Isn't he marvelous? I ate with him at several of the meals, and had a wonderful time talking to him. I really loved Tom, he was like having a 3rd guide...

Your daughter's Condor encounters sound amazing, but OMG they are the ugliest things on the planet! I'm impressed your daughter got that close to one and still liked them!

You know, hearing you talk about the kids on your trip makes me realize a) how lucky I was that my SWS trip inadvertantly ended up Adults Only and b) how glad I am that this year's trip is Adults Only, too. I like kids, I like them a lot, but only in small doses. I like to give them back when I'm done with them. And I don't think I could take being around kids that I had no authority over, but would be expected to tolerate.

Anyways, enough randomness. Thanks for your Trip Report. Some day I will experience staying at the Rim at the Canyon, but I think I'll hold out for El Tovar!

Thanks for the Report & pictures!

Sayhello

ETA: Oh, I almost forgot to mention how odd it was about your reception after the rafting! We were met at the beach with nice, warm towels, herded to our waiting bus, and taken back to the Lodge since it was so close to the rafting. But were given water & snacks on the way back. Your reception just sounds sad...