Another night at United Campground in Durango allowed early morning photos of the trains heading north to Silverton. You can just see our van behind locomotive 480. Strapped the cell phone to a fence post for video. I’ll post a link here once that is uploaded to YouTube. All the train crews, like this engineer,…

Today is the day we get to ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad!  Not dissuaded by the 40° chill, I’m excited to be up and on our way to town at just before 0700. Greeting us on the street is K-28 #476, the locomotive that will be pulling us to Silverton. as it…

Though it was cool enough overnight to use our little electric heater, a sunny morning warmed us to 52° by 1000. We took one more walk to the San Juan River before leaving Cottonwood Campground, but didn’t spot any wildlife. Aztec Ruins National Monument was today’s first stop. The visitor’s center is actually a house…

Leaving Bar Z and Canyon behind at 0915, we crossed into New Mexico at 1100. Setting our clocks back an hour at the Welcome Center, we then headed west to Tucumcari where there is a nicely restored railroad station containing an interesting little museum. Not officially open until noon, a volunteer docent graciously opened the doors…

The sun rose to reveal overcast skies in Palo Duro Canyon. This was okay with us, as it might help to moderate temperatures for a planned hike to the “Lighthouse” rock formation. Driving to the trail head before breakfast allowed us to get a parking spot. Numerous warnings actually had us a bit concerned, but…