By Harvey Dufrenne

       It had been 40 years, but the awesome splendor of the Grand Canyon was once again in view. The last time I was there was in 1959, on a Whittier College Geology class field trip.

     Except for International Champions, who do a lot of touring, The Winning Combination quartet and their wives probably travel around together more than most quartets. So far we've been to New Zealand, Hawaii, Solvang, Morro Bay, Alaska, Mexico, Palm Springs, and the Grand Canyon, with more trips planned. We like being together.

     The trip to the Grand Canyon started out early on a Friday morning using two cars, each with a walkie-talkie so that we could keep in contact (when we remembered to turn them on!)

     Our first stop was in Victorville for breakfast, then on to Oatman , Arizona, on old Route 66, stopping for lunch in the hotel where Clark Gable and Carol Lombard spent their wedding night. We made it to Williams, Arizona by late afternoon and checked into our hotel rooms.

     Next morning we were up early to catch the steam train for the two and a half hour ride to the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, the train station was close to our hotel. The train ride was a blast, with more singing, naturally, and a lot of interaction with the train attendants and the strolling musicians that came to our car to entertain.

     After a delicious buffet lunch at the Grand Canyon, we climbed aboard a bus, with Barbara as our guide, and headed off to several lookout points to view the Canyon. It's as awesome as ever. Maybe even more so now, remembering that I walked to the bottom one afternoon in 1959, and walked back out the next morning.

     Barbara was a super guide and at one of the overlooks she took the accompanying picture of us. In return we sang "Home on the Range" for her. It was one of those moments when, although we were outside and the acoustics were not the best, the quartet just clicked and every chord rang like you were singing in a cave.

     When we finished, we noticed that the 100 or so tourists at the lookout had just frozen in place until we finished. Barbara thought it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her.

TWC and the Grand Canyon

     Then it was back on the train for another two and a half hour ride back to Williams. On the way back I was fortunate enough to see deer, antelope and elk from the train windows.

     After dinner and a good night's sleep we were up early again for a buffet breakfast, then back in the cars for the trip home. On the way we took a side trip to Havasu City for lunch and a look at the London Bridge.

   If you haven't tried it, give it a shot. Just remember that no member of the group is more important than anyone else. Be flexible and willing to try something new. And always remember that you're there to HAVE FUN!