We walked around the train yard for a bit, then sat at the depot and watched several trains move about, some headed out of town and ours (No. 480) back into position for our upcoming departure.
Cute!
The Baldwin Locomotive No. 493 was built in 1902 and converted to narrow gauge in 1928.
This car has seen better days.
Wow! That's some good camouflage!
The 2:30 pm train heads down the hill to Durango.
Our 3:00 pm train, complete with conductors, backs into its spot in Silverton.
We walked back to downtown and boarded our train.
A view of Silverton from the depot
Our train awaits.
On the way back down, we sat in our same seats which put our view toward the other side of the tracks than we had coming up. The train didn't have to stop to take on more water since it required a lot less steam going down the mountain. Partially into the trip, a heavy storm hit. Since we were in an open carriage, the rain poured in, forcing people to seek refuge in other cars or in the center aisle. Just as suddenly as it came, it passed and everything was bright blue again... although still sopping wet for a while.
Heading out of Silverton past the depot
A foreshadowing of things to come
The clouds move in quickly!
Before we know it, the rain is beating down.
Trying to stay dry
I can't help but wonder what the story was.
Passing by the watertank
Suddenly the skies cleared and rainbow clouds appeared. These iridescent clouds are caused by small water droplets or ice crystals individually scattering light. Larger ice crystals produce halos.
Blowing steam again at High Bridge
Smoke from the train floated into the trees.
The sky apologizes for having gotten us wet.
A colony of prairie dogs living along side the tracks barked at us as we passed. Most people had never seen one before and the guesses as to what these animals were was quite entertaining.
Entering the Durango train yard
WATCH A MOVIE OF THE TRIP!
We left Durango and drove about an hour and a half to Pagosa Springs where we checked into the San Juan Motel. It took us a while to find it though because there were TWO downtowns to Pagosa Springs. Eventually after asking at a gas station, we arrived.
A quick glimpse of downtown Durango
Headed to Pagosa Springs
Of course, the hotel credit card machine had stopped working. We tried one of Regan's cards and two of mine. Nothing. So they let us in the room anyway. We thought we'd order a pizza so called a couple places... but we were too late. Apparently no one makes deliveries after 8 pm. But I really didn't feel like driving anymore.
Just then, reception called. We headed over and tried the credit card again. This time it worked. They suggested a couple nearby restaurants to walk to, so we headed out and ended up at Kiip's Grill. It was good, but everything was very... "disposable". The meal was served on a paper plate with metallic plastic cutlery; the accompanying potato chips were in a bag; and all the condiments were sachets.
