The Grand Canyon Caverns - Over 200 Feet Straight Down!

It was mid- afternoon in late October 1994 as I was driving along old Route 66 returning to Phoenix from Las Vegas, Nevada and needed to make a pit stop. Then I saw the sign. "The Grand Canyon Caverns". What caverns? I had never heard of them! I had been living in Prescott since '89 and never heard of anything but the Grand Canyon herself.

I loved taking Route 66, what locals called the "scenic route". But I had never seen this place before and sufficiently curious I turned into the dirt road and drove up to the clap board structure and parked. A soft wind was blowing and I was surprised to see that there were tours being conducted. The only door I could see led into the restaurant side of the long one story building. *

I asked the smiling lady behind the cash register about the caverns. She said I was just in time that a new tour was just starting in about 15 minutes! She pointed to a door that was partially hidden in shadows and said to wait there. I paid her the small fee and decided to look around a bit. It was a combination restaurant and gift shop. I decided to not be the last in line then went over to the door and waited.

It seemed I was the only person in line. After about 10 minutes I heard the whirr of elevator cables and waited for the elevator door to open eager to explore the Grand Canyon Caverns. It was a while opening.

Finally, with a metallic grating noise, the door opens and out steps a man, late forties to mid-fifties, black wavy hair with slight graying and the biggest feature was the smile. It was warm. Welcoming. Looking around he walked over to me and said he would be right back that the tour wasn't starting for another five minutes and to give others a chance to join the tour. I figured he had a break coming and saw him talk to the same lady that had sent me over here, and he disappeared. I waited. No one else came.

He finally returned and said,

"I guess you're it. Please step into the elevator".