November 2024
by Allison McAlpin
I was given a trip to the Grand Canyon by Team Gleason. I went in November of 2024 and was accompanied by my husband and daughter, MK, who was a little less than a year old at the time.
Our journey began with a flight to Las Vegas. If you use a power chair, you know how “interesting” the check-in process and boarding can be (aka a hassle!). But after some very nice, strong men carried me to my seat, we were on our way!
I’m so glad we arrived at night—flying into Las Vegas for the first time ever after dark is truly a sight to behold.
The first thing you notice from a distance is the glow rising from the desert.
As you descend, all the lights begin to sparkle around you. The airport is right on the Strip, and as you lower into this city of starlight, it feels like entering another world.
I really like how the Las Vegas airport handles accessibility.
There’s a line of taxis with one wheelchair-accessible cab always at the front, 24/7. I wasn’t even the only person using a wheelchair or scooter, despite the late arrival.
When we pulled up to our hotel, we were greeted by a glowing pyramid with a light beaming from the top: the Luxor. My husband and I noted how special it was to stay at an Egyptian-themed hotel, since our very first movie date was at an Egyptian-themed theater.
We kept it low-key on our first day to save energy for the long haul to the Grand Canyon, and partly because the Strip just isn’t quite as dazzling (and is way hotter) in the daytime.
We bought a magnet for my collection and headed back to the room, where our daughter took her very first steps!
Since we were still adjusting to the time difference, we took advantage of the early morning hours to do a drive through Las Vegas in the dark—so much more impressive that way.
We saw the globe, the Sphere, the mini Eiffel Tower, the giant Coke bottle, and of course, the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. With all the glitz and wealth I saw on the Strip, it’s hard not to think: no one in this country should be going hungry… just sayin’.
The drive through the desert was one of my favorite parts. It was genuinely picturesque.
The variety of colored stones and sand reminded me of autumn in the Adirondacks with all the reds, oranges, yellows, and browns, yet it felt strangely alien without any tall vegetation.
The only pops of color outside of the warm rainbow were tiny cacti, small flowers, and brush. The rocks themselves even felt foreign: not gray, but copper and yellow, peppered with streaks of gray and black. The homes we passed seemed to melt right into the desert landscape.
We checked into our hotel and got some much-needed rest for the next big adventure: the train ride! But first—side note—Williams, Arizona is straight out of a Hallmark movie. The people were absolutely charming, and everyone smiled at you as you walked or rolled by.
On the train, we saw prairie dogs, including a little sentry keeping watch for hawks. There were also plenty of cattle, and we learned that if the train hits one, they have to buy it! Apparently, cows have the right of way out West. We also saw antelopes, which I think are the fastest land mammals in North America, though they didn’t stick around long. There were even live performers who sang with guitar accompaniment. MK danced along with them and had a blast.
When we arrived, I was excited to find a small village at the southern rim, with accessible paths that I could navigate in my power chair. It was breathtaking, and one of my favorite memories was seeing a bald eagle flying over the canyon, being chased by a crow. There were also free guided tours available.
One guide told us a sweet local story about a mason who fell in love with a girl who worked on the train. He carved a heart-shaped rock into the low wall along the southern rim for her, and later added a diamond-shaped stone at the spot where he proposed.
The Grand Canyon is not just a giant hole in the ground. It’s layered and tiered, with plateaus full of flowers, grasses, and bushes. The scale is overwhelming. You look out and see what appears to be distant mountains, only to realize it’s just the far side of the canyon.
The layers of rock reveal history, not just human history but Earth’s history. It’s been carved by destructive forces—by a rushing river—but the result is the most beautiful scar. I couldn’t even see the bottom from my chair. The smell was something else too: dry, clean stone. Like cave air, but without the moisture or mustiness.
Even MK was quietly taking it all in, unusually still. I guess even a toddler can be struck by awe.
We had lunch at the canyon, and when I travel, I always like to try the local, indigenous food. They serve a cactus fruit called prickly pear there. I had a fish from the Colorado River with a prickly pear wine sauce, and a glass of prickly pear wine on the side. It was sweet, tangy, and delicious.
The village also had a store owned by the Yavapai, one of the many indigenous tribes that have called the canyon home for thousands of years. It was full of handmade, locally sourced items. We felt so welcome and brought home a few treasures.
Eventually, it was time to head back. On the return trip, Team Gleason booked us into the first-class car, which was amazing. I had a spacious spot to park and lounge in my chair, and MK had her own seat to bounce in while she looked out the window. They served free food—meat, cheese, veggies—all toddler-approved. They also had a specialty cocktail called “Sunset Over The Canyon,” and the server kept them coming all the way back to Williams!
There was another live performer on the return trip, a local entertainer, but the show was interrupted by a “train robbery!” It was cheesy and wonderful and exactly the kind of fun you’d hope for. And it wasn’t just a little skit; they had real horses galloping alongside the train! Thankfully, the robbers were apprehended by the “train marshal.”
When we got back, it was dusk, and they were setting up for the Polar Express.
We took a chance and asked if MK could meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
She was obsessed with the soft, fluffy trim on their coats and gloves.
We finished the night by driving through their holiday light show.
On our way back to Vegas, we stopped along Route 66 in a little town that inspired the movie, Cars.
The place was full of murals and painted cars made to look like the characters from the film.
We grabbed a hotdog and milkshake from a classic diner before continuing our drive.
Looking back, the trip was so much more than a vacation.
It was a wondrous journey through glittering cities, vast deserts, historic landmarks, and one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. But what made it most special was experiencing it all with my family.
The awe in MK’s eyes, the quiet moments shared with my husband, and the memories we created will stay with us forever. Thank you, Team Gleason!
