FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
Today was a short travel day of just 113 miles
to CORTEZ, COLORADO.
We actually arrived at the Mesa Verde KOA before noon.
That gave us the afternoon to go into town,
and stock up in Wal-Mart, and
get back to camp in time for a hot dog roast,
complete with entertainment by:
David Rickett,
Saxaphonist
Three more couples shared brief
stories from their lives, and
Traco was moved on to
another RV.
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
Saturday morning started at 7:15AM,
with all of us loading onto mini-vans
for a ride to DURANGO, to board the
DURANGO-SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD,
for a 45 mile train ride.
We departed from Durango at 9:15 AM,
and arrived in Silverton at 12:45 PM.
Our Fantasy group occupied an entire car.
When we awoke this morning
the outside temperature was 42 degrees.
We had been advised to dress in layers
to assure our comfort throughout the day.
The scenic views alternated
between the right side and
the left side of the train.
The above was on the right side.
I was blessed with this Rainbow
on the left side, after the Engineer
let off Steam which caused
a RAINBOW.
The rapids were beautiful along the ANIMAS RIVER.
This classic railroad bridge has been abandoned,
but still worthy of a picture.
I was so happy when the passengers behind me,
pointed out this abandoned Mine Shaft.
It added to the experience of riding on
our Steam Engine which was created in 1925,
at The Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia.
Keep in mind, however, the D&SNGR was
established in 1881.
You can read more about it at:
You can read about Silverton at:
This idyllic view greeted us as
we approached Silverton, CO.
The train pulled into the center of town.
Some of the streets are still unpaved.
It is like stepping back in time.
Some buildings look like
they belong on a movie set.
At least 20 of us headed to the
Grand Imperial Hotel
to have lunch at GRUMPY's.
GRUMPY himself, came to chat with us,
and thank us for our patronage.
L to R: Darryl Olson, Merrell and Bob Westrick,
and Linda Olson
Our mini-van drivers met us
in Silverton at 2:30 PM,
to take us back to Cortez, where we
arrived at 4:40 PM. My guesstimate
is that it was approximately 100 miles.
This Autumn view capped off our
visit to Silverton, Colorado.
As we were leaving Silverton, Co., we had our first sighting of Autumn colors, like many of us from the East had been longing for.
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