Future passengers on Grand Canyon Railway will arrive at the South Rim with little fanfare or noise, as a battery-powered electric locomotive is added to the fleet. The Williams-based railway announced in late 2024 that it was awarded a $3.4 million federal grant to convert one of its diesel locomotives to a zero-emission battery-electric locomotive. Xanterra, the parent company of GCR, will pay 20% of the conversion cost under the U.S. Department of Transportation grant agreement. “This … [Read more...] about All Aboard for Sustainability: Grand Canyon Railway to Debut Battery-Powered Train in 2027
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Clay and Courage: Officer Emerson Ami Finds Peace in Pottery
Working in law enforcement can be stressful, so each officer must find a way to relieve stress. For Emerson Ami, creating his Hopi Tewa pottery has long been a stress reliever. Now, the pottery has turned into his passion and side business. Ami served as a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officer for 25 years. He retired from that position, but now works as a probation officer for the Hopi Courts. “I create an array of Hopi Tewa pottery. The process takes a day or two and it’s … [Read more...] about Clay and Courage: Officer Emerson Ami Finds Peace in Pottery
Grand Canyon Wrangler Moves Mule Trains through All Seasons
An encounter with mules on the Grand Canyon trails is like finding yourself in the middle of a Western movie. But for the wranglers, it’s the real deal and a job they wouldn’t trade for anything. Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) Animal Packer Matthew Joseph says, “I love it! I get to be in the Grand Canyon, and the mules are the best coworkers you could ever ask for.” A mule packer feeds and cares for the animals and carefully and strategically sorts out the cargo for transport in packs on … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Wrangler Moves Mule Trains through All Seasons
Exploring the City of Seven Wonders
Spring is officially here, and there is no better time for Flagstaff locals to take advantage of their City of Seven Wonders and the amazing cultural and geological attractions that make this a special place to live. Visitors from around the world plan trips of a lifetime to see things like Grand Canyon National Park in this part of our state. The people who call Flagstaff home don’t have to renew their passport to see this natural wonder. They can do it with a 90-minute drive. March and … [Read more...] about Exploring the City of Seven Wonders
Grand Canyon Conservancy Announces Katrina Bloemsma as COO
Grand Canyon Conservancy has selected Katrina Bloemsma as its next chief operating officer. Previously, Bloemsma served on the senior leadership team of REI Experiences, a division of REI Co-op. There, she re-engineered the division’s operating model to increase customer engagement and support profitable growth through new opportunities and innovative product scaling. “This role brings my expertise and my driving passions into perfect alignment,” said Bloemsma. “I could not be more excited to … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Conservancy Announces Katrina Bloemsma as COO
Grand Celebration of Art
About the only thing better than a picture of the Grand Canyon is a painting, and Grand Canyon Conservancy’s 15th Annual Celebration of Art (CoA) showcased 24 selected artists painting “en plein air” (outside on location) along the South Rim. The week-long event and fundraiser had an audience of returning fans and visitors who were captivated by the artists as their palettes brought the magnificence of the Grand Canyon to their canvases. “This is my first year and I’m so excited to be a part … [Read more...] about Grand Celebration of Art
Grand Canyon Train Picks Up Steam After Pandemic Setback
This past winter, while icy roads cut vehicle traffic to Grand Canyon 22% in the first quarter, Grand Canyon Railway (GCR) powered through all the snow with a 5% increase in ridership. Train travelers were treated to a snow-blanketed South Rim and photographers scored images of a century-old steam locomotive puffing smoke into the frigid air. “We’re chugging along and only seeing more and more people coming out to visit,” said Sam Langner, Grand Canyon Railway vice president of sales. … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Train Picks Up Steam After Pandemic Setback
Preparing for Hikers, High Heat at Grand Canyon
Hikers often misjudge Grand Canyon treks, says Dr. Tom Myers of North Country Healthcare. “They either overestimate what they think they can do or underestimate the wilderness.” Myers discussed heat illness and hyponatremia, a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is too low, at the National Park Service Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) Symposium last month at Grand Canyon National Park. Other sessions included presentations from park staff about downhill injuries, … [Read more...] about Preparing for Hikers, High Heat at Grand Canyon
From Earth to Space and into NightVisions
Sculptor Joseph McShane’s style might be considered other worldly. He has engaged outer space and the sun to co-create with him and is the first artist to have his work leave the planet and travel with astronauts on board the Space Shuttle. A photograph of his piece, S.P.A.C.E., will be part of NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky. The exhibition runs May 21 to Aug. 27, at the Coconino Center for the Arts. In 1984, McShane worked with NASA’s Small Self-Contained Payload … [Read more...] about From Earth to Space and into NightVisions
The Last Large Parcel of Private Land in Northern Arizona Goes into Escrow
One of the largest privately owned parcels of land in the cool pines of Northern Arizona is currently in escrow and scheduled to close this year. Located in Williams, just 30 minutes from Flagstaff in Coconino County, the 500 acres are owned by Valley entrepreneur Max Biegert, who spent 85 million to develop and build the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in the late 80’s. He is selling the land to developers to make way for a new mini master planned community that would include custom homes as … [Read more...] about The Last Large Parcel of Private Land in Northern Arizona Goes into Escrow
