False Start
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 19 °F
The alarm went off at 6 which was mighty early. While Russell was in the shower, I checked the train status to discover it was almost 3 hours late. So we went back to sleep for a couple hours. CheckedRead more
True start
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °F
We stayed in the oldest hotel in Denver, The Oxford Hotel. It was only a half a block from the train station.
We left our hotel at 10:20. The walk to the train station involved some logistics as weRead more
All aboard!
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °F
We lost even more time so that we are now 3.5 hours late. But we are on our way!
I've got my train shoes on!
First lunch
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °F
We both got the burger for lunch. It was pretty good but I forgot to take a picture.
After lunch, I discovered that I am missing my credit card. Did I leave it in the bar last night? I'll try callingRead more
Moffat tunnel
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °F
Crossing the continental divide though a 6 mile tunnel. Everyone has to stay in whatever car they are in because they don't want to open exterior doors in the tunnel. I guess the air in the middleRead more
First stop: Winter Park
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °F
Russell took advantage of the stop to go outside and wipe down the windows. I took advantage of the cellular connection to lock down my lost credit card. The bar where I probably left it is not openRead more
Second stop: Granby
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °F
We are running about 4 hours late and heading into a cell dead zone.
The rockies in snow
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °F
We spoke to some people on the train who did this route last week in the eastbound direction and there was no snow then. We really lucked out on the big storm that just came through, but the westernRead more
More beautiful scenery
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °F
Russell is up in the observation car making new friends, but I'm enjoying the view from our compartments.
Stopped on a siding
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 23 °F
We have stopped on a siding to let the eastbound California Zephyr train pass us by.
It took 30 minutes of waiting for it to pass.
Sunset came too early
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 25 °F
It's hard to make out the scenery and even harder to photograph it
We have internet!
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 25 °F
This is good but it means I can also access the Amtrak website to find out we are now 4.5 hours late. Best case we may be able to make up 3.5 hours of that but that will still make our connectionRead more
Third stop Glenwood Springs
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 27 °F
Russell got a chance to do the windows on the other side. He even managed a swipe at the neighbor's windows.
Pre-dinner refreshment
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 27 °F
I don't think the entire 2 cases will make it to California.
Dinner
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 27 °F
Very Yummy!
Fourth stop: Grand Junction
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 30 °F
No window washing at this stop, but we are having cake and wine.
Woohoo! We are only 4 hours late. We are making up time!
Bedtime
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 32 °F
Our room attendant is making up the beds. Quiet time starts at 10.
Fifth stop: Green River, UT
December 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 30 °F
Our first stop out of Colorado! We are still running about 4 hours late. I fully expect t sleep through the next few stops. Don't expect any more reports until we are in Nevada.
Elko, NV: first call for breakfast
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ❄️ 28 °F
I think I am going to have more sleep instead of pancakes.
We made up another 30 minutes in the night and are now only 3.5 hours late. We will miss our original connecting train from Emeryville toRead more
Scary monster in my compartment!!
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F
Oh. Wait. That was a mirror. Never mind.
We are in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.
Breakfast
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 34 °F
I clean up quite nicely if I do say so myself!
I went up to breakfast alone and met some nice people. Russell joined us for coffee.
Winnemucca, NV
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 34 °F
Long stop here to take on a bunch of passengers. Still haven't made up much time.
Next stop Reno and we head into the Sierras proper.
High Plains Driftrr
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F
We are rolling across the plains of Nevada with foothills (mountains?) in the far distance.
Now THESE are mountains!
December 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F
Not sure if they come out in the photo, but trust me. This time I see serious mountains.
K the train from Chicago to denver,boulde.r and was so thrilled an excited I stayed up all night . The next day when I saw the mountains from afar it looked to me like the edges of the world had been crimped up. By the time I got to boulder I felt like I had landed on the moon. What a fabulous time it has been.
Sweet! Rhonda
Wonderful