Colorado Rails                         Gallery

Day 1
Today we begin a journey to the hills of Colorado. Here we are expected to experience four types of rail transport: an old narrow rail up a mountain by steam engine, in open air rail cars; a narrow gauge trip along narrow passageways, along rocky mountain edges and a river, from Silverton to Durango; a 1900’s diesel passenger train with food & drink service; and a trip to the top of Pikes Peak by Cog rail service.
During this trip, we will visit a number of different sites as well. The Great Platte River Road Archway; Golden Spike Tower in North Platte NE where the original rail track from the east met those that were being laid from the west; a journey through Mesa Verde National Park; exploring the Manitou Cliff Dwellings; and, finally, Joslyn Castle in Omaha NE.
Our first day started with expectation of being picked up by cab and being brought to our coach, a few miles away. The driver was to pick us up at 6:45 am so we could meet our coach before 7:00, but the driver could not find our condo. Not uncommon, our building looks more like an office than a residential building because all units face toward the Minnesota River Wetlands and the front has all windowed hallways. Still, the coach was not at the designated spot when we arrived, but soon appeared and we were on our way.
Heading south, we had about 5 stops to pick up additional passengers.
A coach trip means, to get to Colorado, we must first drive through some boring terrain that Iowa & Nebraska graciously provides.
We at Cracker Barrel this night. Had a wonderful Trout dinner, sharing a table with a couple who were our guides on a previous tour. And then, on to the Comfort Inn in Grand Island NE, where we will spend the night.

After a good free breakfast this morning. Eggs, sausage, waffles, decent coffee – (what’s not to like). We were on our way to the Great Platte River Road Archway.
The path along the Platte River through Nebraska, once known as the Great Platte River Road, served as a migratory route across the U.S. At it’s facility they an exhibit that tells the story of the adventurers who followed this trail and helped to build America. In their historical exhibit, we saw how the pioneers walked over the Oregon Trail. Here was saw a rider switching horses at a Pony Express station, Mark Twain's account of a cross-country stagecoach ride, the driving of the Golden Spike that united the nation's railroads.
Leaving the Archway, and ten minuts later, we arrived to visit the Golden Spike Tower that looks over the largest train yard in the world. But more significant is that, this is where the Eastern train tracks joined the West train tracks, thus completing the long awaited ability to travel from coast to coast.
Now on to Denver and the Drury Hotel and had a Happy Hour dinner that included a much appreciated 2 drink tickets and a buffet.

Morning had us heading toward Georgetown. On the way, a stop at Tommyknockers Brewery & Pub in Idaho Springs CO for a hamburger, salad and brew. I had, perhaps, the best Pilsner Draft Beer I had ever had. I usually say little of eating a hamburger, but this hamburger was incredibly good.

“LEGEND OF THE TOMMYKNOCKERS
When the Cornish miners came from the tin mines in Cornwall to work in the gold fields of Colorado during the 1860's, they brought with them their own elves. These Tommyknockers lived in the mines, and were responsible for all kinds of mischief: snuffing out candles, eating lunches, and stealing tools.
If a miner was kind and left food for the Tommyknockers, they often rewarded him by leading him to a rich vein of gold or even to the "mother lode" by tapping on the rock walls of the mine. Many a miner also claimed to have been saved by a Tommyknocker's warning of impending danger.”

Then continue to Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
Here we had a nice ride up a mountain on three-foot narrow gauge railway track that miners to reach a silver mine. The distance, as the crow flies, is only one mile, but, traversing up the mountain took three miles of track. It was an open car. It was cold, But, we had a good time.
On the way to our hotel, after our rail ride, our coach decided to pose problems. Perhaps, the altitude and grade were too much for it, But, getting quick help, we journied on. After a short wait, we were on our way again, but behind schedule for our intended dinner at Famous Dave’s. So - our host arranged to have our Famous Dave’s dinner catered to the hotel.
Now, in our rooms at 10pm, (way too late for some elderly to eat and enter their room) we had quick but good nights rest.

Morning arrived much too early. Got up at 5am, quick , not so good, beakfast, and we’re on our way for a 3+ hour jeep ride near Ouray CO.
This will be a long day. First we arrived at, what our tour company called, a Jeep tour. This will be a journey through areas that only OHV (Off Road Vehicles) can handle. However, when we got there, we were loaded on, one of three, four person bench seats on converted Dodge RAM trucks. Fortunately, the trucks, at least, had a canvas tops because, at the start of this adventure, it started to rain. It rained hard. The high winds carried that rain, easily into our open air platform. It got very cold as we ascended the mountain side. We were given ponchos for the rain and blankets for the cold. Despite the miserable conditions, after the end of the journey, we all agreed we had a really fun time because of the marvelous views and, perhaps, because we survived windy, saturated, paths, up and down the edges of a steep mountain side.
After a picnic lunch, we were brought to the Silverton Depot where we boarded an old narrow rail passenger train for a 3 1/2 hour trip along the Animas River and traversing the beautiful rock edges of mountains on either side of the rails. It was also nice to be out of the cold, inside a very old passenger train car.
Later, we had dinner at the open air, Bar D Chuckwagon Restaurant with entertainment. Four older cowboys sang great harmony to old cowboy songs. Sounds hokey but they were masterful with their instruments and had nice voices as well. Then, once again, a late hotel check-in and off to bed.

The next morning had us heading toward Mesa Verde National Park where we would spend four hours driving and stopping to see incredible sites. The park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archaeological heritage of the Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years. The Pueblo people built homes, not only on the mesas, but also built Pueblos beneath the overhanging cliffs.

40 people frequently getting on & off a coach is not easy for a bunch of, mostly, old people. While in Mesa Verde, we made a stop for a bathroom break. Everyone got off only to be told the rest rooms were at the next stop. We all got on the coach, we drove off. We found the next stop to be only 600 feet away.

On our way to our next destination in Alamosa, we made a stop for a restroom break. When we entered the Pagosa Springs Visitor Center, we were told that they were closing in 1 minute and we must go somewhere else. One of our travelers said he couldn’t wait, they said he must leave, he forced his way in. So much for a town’s hospitality.
Then on to our hotel where, for the first time on the trip, we could have a little time to ourselves before entering Calvillo’s Mexican Restaurant where I was to find my favorites, Chile Rilleno and tamales. They were marvelous.

Day 6
Now on our way to the Royal Gorge where we will take a early 1900’s Diesel train along the Arkansas River and through vertically edged mountain passes. On the train we are able to get a nice, included sandwich and a, not included, draft beer. The views were nice, the train personnel were great, the ride was relaxing.

Back on our coach again, we head toward the “Garden of the Gods” in Colorado Springs. Here we saw a short movie that showed this area as it would have millions of years ago and how it progressed to create the structured hills it is today. Later, a guide entered our coach to direct us around this beautiful area and give information about what we were seeing along the way.
Finally ending our day at the Drury Inn in Colorado Springs where we, again, had free food and two free drinks at their “Kickback” happy hour.

Day 7
After a nice breakfast, most of our group headed out to take a cog rail trip up to Pikes Peak. Pike, himself, never made it to the top. Ramona & I decided to take the day off. I was not prepared for a journey into temperatures in the 30’s, having bought clothing for the 80’s, and Ramona was having difficulty with altitude of 6000+ in Colorado Springs. Going up over 14,000 feet, probably would not have been a good idea for us.
This night we had dinner at the fabulous Flying W Ranch, where we had a dinner of smoked brisket, smoked Turkey, and a lot of other cowboy fix’ins, followed by entertainment by 6 very good musicians playing and singing western, gospel & patriotic songs. (I think I was in pretty conservative territory.)

Day 8
Starting our journey toward home. An all day ride, finally ending in Kearney NE.
Lunch at the Front Street Cafe in Ogallala NE, an old western themed facility, was good and very filling. More driving had us in Kearney NE where we would stay at the Crown Plaza for the night. We had dinner at the Whiskey River Restaurant. It was very good but, after having a huge lunch, we ate very little.

Day 9
No breakfast at the Crown Plaza but we were given $10 vouchers for the attached Starbucks.
Moving toward home, we stop to visit Old Market District. I initially thought that this would be just a “filler” event, but found it to be a nice way to get out and walk. For lunch we found the wonderful Upstream Brewing Restaurant. Here we has Smoked Gouda Cheese Soup, beer bread and a lite stout beer. Ya, they all sound strange but, they all were very good.
Later, we stopped at the Joslyn Castle where we saw the beautiful old castle like home of George & Sarah Joslyn. Ramona loving to view old mansions, this was a favorite stop.
Dinner this night was in a private room at the Doubletree Hotel where a couple of actors lead us on an investigation to solve a murder mistory.
However, we stayed at the odd & eclectic LOFT hotel. Slept well and ready to be back home

Day 10
As the LOFT has no morning breakfast, our breakfast was catered in.
And now, finally, we start our last lag of our journey. Exhausted when we enter our condo but happy about the experience.