Riding the rails...
The day was unbelievable. We arose before dawn to start our 100 mile journey north to Chama and the Cumbres and Toltec Railway. This is a trip that Julie had planned for me some time ago and I was not disappointed. If you've never ridden a steam locomotive high into the Rockies, it's something you need to do during your time here on earth.
The 64 mile trip starts in Chama at an elevation of 7200 ft. and wends and winds it's way through New Mexico and Colorado [crossing the border 15 times!] ending up in Antonito Colorado after passing through mountain passes at over 10,000 ft. Early clouds broke as we started out and the sun was magnificent on the golden shades of the aspens. The blue of the sky at that altitude is stunning and made for great photography. The first half of the trip tranverses canyons so tightly that the faint of heart will swoon. The grades are steep allowing a maximum speed of only 5-6 mph so there is plenty of time to enjoy the sights.
At the half way point of the trip the train stops at a high mountain station for a really great homemade lunch prepared by folks who have to drive 17 miles through dirt roads to get there. All the folks on the train eat together and so we got a chance to get to know some of our fellow travelers including, to my liking, a former Vietnam Army combat photographer. As the train stopped for lunch we noticed low clouds gathering again and at that altitude this meant snow.
And snow it did. The 1920's coaches were a bit cool as we started out again, but my prefered place had been on the open flatcar and so back I went. What an experience photographing the canyons, tunnels, trees and mountain peaks thru a blinding snowstorm! The snow did not stop until we reached the lower areas around Antonito when once again the sun burst through upon a grazing herd of antelope and mountain ranges across the valley of southern Colorado.
In Antonito a plush tourist bus takes the travelers back to their cars in Chama. And there the dramatic part of the tour unfolded as we crossed the pass at 10,200 feet in a blizzard. We all tipped our driver Joe for getting us through safely. Slippery roads with 300 ft drop offs can get even the most stalwart a bit nervous. But arrive back we did and started our trip back in the gorgeous New Mexico twilight.
I can't wait for you to see the pictures! Back home Monday night.
The day was unbelievable. We arose before dawn to start our 100 mile journey north to Chama and the Cumbres and Toltec Railway. This is a trip that Julie had planned for me some time ago and I was not disappointed. If you've never ridden a steam locomotive high into the Rockies, it's something you need to do during your time here on earth.
The 64 mile trip starts in Chama at an elevation of 7200 ft. and wends and winds it's way through New Mexico and Colorado [crossing the border 15 times!] ending up in Antonito Colorado after passing through mountain passes at over 10,000 ft. Early clouds broke as we started out and the sun was magnificent on the golden shades of the aspens. The blue of the sky at that altitude is stunning and made for great photography. The first half of the trip tranverses canyons so tightly that the faint of heart will swoon. The grades are steep allowing a maximum speed of only 5-6 mph so there is plenty of time to enjoy the sights.
At the half way point of the trip the train stops at a high mountain station for a really great homemade lunch prepared by folks who have to drive 17 miles through dirt roads to get there. All the folks on the train eat together and so we got a chance to get to know some of our fellow travelers including, to my liking, a former Vietnam Army combat photographer. As the train stopped for lunch we noticed low clouds gathering again and at that altitude this meant snow.
And snow it did. The 1920's coaches were a bit cool as we started out again, but my prefered place had been on the open flatcar and so back I went. What an experience photographing the canyons, tunnels, trees and mountain peaks thru a blinding snowstorm! The snow did not stop until we reached the lower areas around Antonito when once again the sun burst through upon a grazing herd of antelope and mountain ranges across the valley of southern Colorado.
In Antonito a plush tourist bus takes the travelers back to their cars in Chama. And there the dramatic part of the tour unfolded as we crossed the pass at 10,200 feet in a blizzard. We all tipped our driver Joe for getting us through safely. Slippery roads with 300 ft drop offs can get even the most stalwart a bit nervous. But arrive back we did and started our trip back in the gorgeous New Mexico twilight.
I can't wait for you to see the pictures! Back home Monday night.
