Friday, August 18, 2006
Soot, Part 1
I felt very clever to remember that our little Trakfone had an alarm function. Wasn't totally thrilled about setting it for 6 AM, but I figured that was what had to be done if we wanted to get to Durango in time to ride the 9 o'clock narrow gauge to Silverton.
The plan almost worked. We made great time over the mountain, despite having to drive RIGHT THROUGH A CLOUD, which was a lot like thin fog. It was pretty cool, actually. But in Durango I had trouble finding the train station and then the correct parking lot. Luckily for us they had a 9:45 train that day, so all was well.
This railroad has been in operation since 1881, first put into operation for the mines. It goes through areas of still almost untouched wilderness; in fact, there's an exclusive resort up there which you can ONLY reach by train. Or the private helicopter!
The cars are all restored vintage ones. There are tons of signs about not sticking your body parts out the window (just like a school bus), because sometimes the side of the car is about 8 inches from the rock wall, and often the trees are growing closer than that. Of course sometimes you are not too close to anything out the window. Sometimes you are going along the edge of the cliff down to the river below. Sometimes the side of the car actually sticks out over that edge! Another reason not to lean out, I guess.
The ride takes almost 4 hours each way (to cover 45 miles), and you have a layover in Silverton which gives time to eat lunch and shop a little. (We ate at a place called Pasta La Vista. Good ravioli.)
I completely used up two sets of batteries on all the great scenic vistas, which is my idea of a great day! Long day, though, because we didn't get back to the car until 7:45!
Riding beside open windows all day in a coal-burning train leaves you covered with little specks of soot and cinders, so I decided to splurge and get an actual motel room. Showers were definitely needed! We found one at a good price which advertised wifi, a hot tub and a pool.
The hot tub, though, turned out to have some kind of weird chemical in it that emitted such noxious fumes we actually couldn't breathe while in it. The pool was clean and clear, but freezing cold. Sigh. The internet and showers worked, though, and the bed was decent. So all was well for another day!
The plan almost worked. We made great time over the mountain, despite having to drive RIGHT THROUGH A CLOUD, which was a lot like thin fog. It was pretty cool, actually. But in Durango I had trouble finding the train station and then the correct parking lot. Luckily for us they had a 9:45 train that day, so all was well.
This railroad has been in operation since 1881, first put into operation for the mines. It goes through areas of still almost untouched wilderness; in fact, there's an exclusive resort up there which you can ONLY reach by train. Or the private helicopter!
The cars are all restored vintage ones. There are tons of signs about not sticking your body parts out the window (just like a school bus), because sometimes the side of the car is about 8 inches from the rock wall, and often the trees are growing closer than that. Of course sometimes you are not too close to anything out the window. Sometimes you are going along the edge of the cliff down to the river below. Sometimes the side of the car actually sticks out over that edge! Another reason not to lean out, I guess.
The ride takes almost 4 hours each way (to cover 45 miles), and you have a layover in Silverton which gives time to eat lunch and shop a little. (We ate at a place called Pasta La Vista. Good ravioli.)
I completely used up two sets of batteries on all the great scenic vistas, which is my idea of a great day! Long day, though, because we didn't get back to the car until 7:45!
Riding beside open windows all day in a coal-burning train leaves you covered with little specks of soot and cinders, so I decided to splurge and get an actual motel room. Showers were definitely needed! We found one at a good price which advertised wifi, a hot tub and a pool.
The hot tub, though, turned out to have some kind of weird chemical in it that emitted such noxious fumes we actually couldn't breathe while in it. The pool was clean and clear, but freezing cold. Sigh. The internet and showers worked, though, and the bed was decent. So all was well for another day!
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