The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.... the D&SNG. I boarded, sleepily, on Saturday morning for a coal-powered ride up the mountains.
Three words for you. No, four: time of my life.
It wasn't a stretch to feel like a character in an Agatha Christie mystery, what with the old, coal-fed chugchugchug... the depot and the tickets... the mishmash of passengers... the smoking, black engine... the shrill, familiar whistle. We stopped four times on the way up the mountains: once to pick up hikers, twice for water, and once for riduculous passengers who hopped off at a water stop. They braked the train - mid tracks - so the people could catch up and all aboard! again. Then we were off.
I adored the scenery. God's brilliant, gorgeous scenery:
The nature landscape wasn't half bad, either.[Grin]
The snow-dusted mountain tops were my favorite. I blinked as snow melted and merged with waterfalls that splashed into streams tucked deep inside the valleys of the rock. It was too much beauty for words.
I would loved to have thrown the brake - at least once - and just stopped it all and stared. I could have stared until my eyes burned holes through my head. Why hadn't I been here before? Surely God passes through here each day, if only to stop and shake His head and say, "Wow, it is good."
I'm going back another Saturday with a book and an iced coffee; I just want to sit and ride and look and quietly absorb.
Unless Conductor Jared is aboard. Then I'll have to plan a third rail ride.
Oh well. [wink]
20 comments:
What fun. And what beauty. Yes, the 'help', too. I hope the cute conductor is onboard the next trip. ~Adrienne~
I love those old trains..so glad you got to ride in one!
And such gorgeous handiwork of God to experience!
I did something very similar waaaay back in grade six.
Our class took an old train along the coast line from Vancouver, British Columbia, (Canada) to a small town four hours away.
While not yet into Agatha Christie, ( I had just discovered Tolkien)
It was still a really amazing trip. Glad you were able to enjoy your trip!
Beautiful! Will type more later. Another thunderstorm rolling in. Hopefully no hail this time.
I love trains!
What an absolutely wonderful adventure! Hasn't God blessed us to be able to see such beauty? I love your blog and thank you for sharing those pictures.
You go to the best places I've never seen. :) And you take the most glorious pictures. You need to have them published somewhere. I don't think a lot of people get to see what you do. Take care, keep enjoying life. xxoo
How beautiful! The land, the mountains, the train, and its conductor!!! :o)
I am so glad you are enjoying your time there!
Absolutley breathtaking! The train is even beautiful. How long was your ride?
We have an old steam engine that now offers trips to visitors for the day in Cass, WV(Cass Scenic Railroad), and it's a marvelous day trip, and the history is amazing.
Thank you for sharing, Brin. Hugs to Millie.
I went on that train about 8 yrs ago. It is so beautiful. I don`t think McCutie conductor was there.
I've always wanted to go on a train ride just like that! Everything is so beautiful. I love that the train stopped to pick up hikers! Jared is a cutie! I love the name...it's my son's name too.
Oh . . . jeolous!!! Are you sure you weren't on a movie set with Ben Affleck playing the role of small town train conductor meeting big city author and oil broker on a mysterious train ride into the mountains? That's the way it's playing out in my book. Seriously! That picture is inspiring ;-)
SALL
JEALOUS. Green with envy.
I've loved trains since I was a little one, walking to the local train station with my dad for a Grape Nehi and an hour or two of just watching the Santa Fe engines come and go.
I've seen this on TV... I'm thrilled to read that it's every bit as fantastic as it looks.
I'm thinking you might want to take along a batch of your skillet cookies on the next ride. Perhaps you could share a little with Mr. Conductor???! Just a thought...
Beautiful post...
gosh i love reading your blog and living thru you with these wonderful new experiences you are having. thanks for sharing all the beautifulness with us
Ah, since hubby has commented already....
Cute! I agree that you need to take freshly made goodies and "oops" have way too many for just yourself.
I would love to take him on a train ride for our 10 year next summer. Can you send me info on how to get on that train?
Brin, I have been on the Durango to Silverton run many times. Did you like Ouray? I have very fond memories of having breakfast at the McDonaleds in Durango before catching the train next door. I hear that Durango is nothing like the last time I was there 20 years ago. I spent several years in Farmington, NM as a kid, and would do Purgatory in the winter, and Mesa Verde-Silverton Train-Purgatory moutain summer sleds the rest of the year. If you have not been yet, please go to Lake Vallecita - a bit further from Durango towards the NM line. It is specticularly gorgeous.
Thanks for bringing back the memories....
Oh yes! The scenery is mighty fine!!
God RESIDES there -- he's not just passin' through. It's why I go every summer to the top of the mountain (this is not a metaphor) and meditate.
And I say buy, buy, buy the acreage. I was lucky enough to marry a man who came with a piece of his own -- 160 acres in the San Isabel Mountain Range. We'll be there in two weeks for our annual tent living/hiking/meditation extravaganza. Your posts make me so anxious!
Mayberry Magpie
Wow, so where is that train?? I totally want to go on a train ride now :)
My husband and I took that trip in 1996 and it is still one of the most memorable times we had. It was late September, cold and damp but absolutely spectacular!
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