At last, after 17 days on the train, I am arriving home today. This train has taken me from Galesburg through Nebraska, into Denver in the early morning. After that we went right up into the Rockies for an amazing day of scenery. We headed northwest from Denver along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains where we could look out over the plains around Denver. We went through tunnel after tunnel that day, for a total of 45 tunnels in one day. The rivers, canyons, and ginormous rock mountains were amazing to see. We went through the Moffat Tunnel at the continental divide at 9180 ft elevation. It was snowy and blowing there on both sides of the long tunnel. It is 6.2 miles long, and takes over 9 minutes to traverse through. After that we followed the Colorado river for 230 + miles while we wound down the other side of the mountains. After going through Grand Junction Co, the tracks took us into the Ruby Canyon, a beautiful red rock – water worn canyon on the Colorado river that looks like a miniature Grand Canyon. I was unable to take any photos of it, as it was getting late twilight. While following the Colorado River, we saw a few bald eagles, deer, a coyote, and I forgot to mention that down in Texas, I saw quite a few Antelope and some deer.
This morning found the train near Winnemucca Nevada, taking us across the desert into Reno. The next part of my journey was crossing over the Sierras from Reno to my destination at Roseville. I always love this part of the trip, as the train travels high above the freeway on the other side of Donner Lake, affording us some amazing views from high on the ridges of the Sierras. We cross Donner pass at 6700 feet elevation going through a long tunnel, maybe 4 miles long, emerging in Norden. Crossing the Sierras by rail is such a different experience than in a car, as the rail follows such a different route. Not much snow up here now, just the tops of peaks and scattered patches in the shade, nut always a beautiful trip.
I am excited to be returning home today, but have enjoyed every minute of the trip! I decided that the 17 days was a perfect time to be on the train. It is so comfortable to travel this way, that I have found myself just today starting to get restless and ready to be off the train. It has been an amazing journey these past 17 days over the 12,965 miles of rail that I have traveled. I have seen the country in every in all of it’s different faces, and they are all beautiful. The plains, rivers, forests, lakes, swamps, deserts, farming country, back country, wild country, cities, reservations, wealthy areas and poor, and enjoyed every minute of it. I got to speak with people from all over the country and world on the train, ate some great food, and relaxed and relaxed and relaxed… Would I do it again? YES! When can I go?
This morning found the train near Winnemucca Nevada, taking us across the desert into Reno. The next part of my journey was crossing over the Sierras from Reno to my destination at Roseville. I always love this part of the trip, as the train travels high above the freeway on the other side of Donner Lake, affording us some amazing views from high on the ridges of the Sierras. We cross Donner pass at 6700 feet elevation going through a long tunnel, maybe 4 miles long, emerging in Norden. Crossing the Sierras by rail is such a different experience than in a car, as the rail follows such a different route. Not much snow up here now, just the tops of peaks and scattered patches in the shade, nut always a beautiful trip.
I am excited to be returning home today, but have enjoyed every minute of the trip! I decided that the 17 days was a perfect time to be on the train. It is so comfortable to travel this way, that I have found myself just today starting to get restless and ready to be off the train. It has been an amazing journey these past 17 days over the 12,965 miles of rail that I have traveled. I have seen the country in every in all of it’s different faces, and they are all beautiful. The plains, rivers, forests, lakes, swamps, deserts, farming country, back country, wild country, cities, reservations, wealthy areas and poor, and enjoyed every minute of it. I got to speak with people from all over the country and world on the train, ate some great food, and relaxed and relaxed and relaxed… Would I do it again? YES! When can I go?
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1 comment:
Hee-- I know a whole lotta people up here who would be salivating to hear you talk about the elk and deer... It's hunting season and WOW is it a popular sport. The guys were sighting rifles the other day in the office.
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