What a wonderful day. We rode the Cumbres train from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM. We had a stop for lunch somewhere along the ride. The scenery was incredible the entire way. We had reserved seats in the Coach Class but could stand out in the open car for as much of the ride as we wanted to.
The engine is powered by coal. We had to make two water stops as the train uses 100 gallons of water per mile. We used 3 tons of coal to go the 50 or so miles we travelled. There was a small gas powered car that followed us in case the cinders start a fire. It happened today! They said it was the first time this year that a fire started. We didn’t see the fire.
I stood outside in the open car at the start but got a cinder in my eye and went back inside. The smell of the burning coal was making me a bit nauseous. Jim loved standing outside and stayed outside most of the trip.
We went through a dime-sized hail storm at one point and it rained a bit and sprinkled a bit off and on. The temperature was warm in the lower elevation and cooler in the higher elevation. We went on the highest train elevation track in America at over 10,000 feet.
I saw several antelope, elk and deer. I was hoping to see a bear but did not. Saw lots of different wild flowers. The pinion trees are loaded this year.
We saw a few cabins and ranches scattered in the middle of no where. One ranch has a private airport, lots of cabins and a huge main house. This ranch has over 15,000 acres. I use the word “ranch” lightly as I’m not sure the land is used as a ranch to raise cattle on. The house and cabins are only useable during June, July and August due to the extreme snow this area gets. I heard the fishing in this part of the state is pretty spectacular and the land owner flies in his guests in his private airplanes. It is used mainly as a summer fishing lodge.
We were told what little land is available sells for $95,000 – $150,000 an acre and there is no electricity or sewer available. People build summer cabins only on the land.
I took several pictures today but mainly just enjoyed the beautiful views. It felt a bit like we had gone back in time as the views were all made by Mother Nature and little has changed over the years. We saw two different rainbows today.
The drive from Antonito to Raton was incredible too. I could be convinced pretty easily to move to the San Luis Valley. I loved the wide open spaces of the valley with mountain views in all directions around you. Not sure I could tolerate the heavy snow and long winters though. Our host on the train told me Chama had over 3 feet of snow on the ground for over three months last winter.
After the train ride we were put on a bus and taken back to Antonito where we had started our day. We than drove to Raton, NM where we are spending the night and than tomorrow we will drive to Stillwater, OK. It should take us a bit over seven hours to make that drive.
I’m sorry this trip is coming to an end. Jim will take me home Tuesday. Wednesday we have an appointment in KC and than Jim will go back to OK Thursday.
It will be good to be home again I guess. I feel a bit disconnected from my “normal” life in Chase County. I had gone to Maine for a week before I left for this trip so really haven’t been home much for over a month. I will have two weeks to get everything in order before I have foot surgery on August 7. I hope to get my deck painted before I have surgery but I’ll see if that happens. Jim is coming to help me during that time and has offered to paint if needed. I have to be non-weight bearing for two weeks and can’t do chicken chores during that time. Wonder if I can talk him into cleaning out the chicken coop for me?
Grateful for all the beautiful scenery I saw today, grateful or safe travels, and grateful for my weekend house sitters that allowed me to be away.