Colorado Skies from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Sky Watch Friday Train Museum Colorado Skies

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad that operates 45 miles of 3 ft track between Durango and Silverton, in the US state of Colorado.

Careful now don’t get a cinder in your eye.

Views from the Silver Vista Car as we travel through the San Juan National Forest

All Aboard………..”All aboard! Take a delightful trip to the past. Enjoy a scenic journey behind Durango’s historic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive. Experience the sights and sounds of a romantic bygone era on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad , as it winds through the breathtaking canyons of San Juan National Forest to the old mining town of Silverton, a Historic Landmark.”READ MORE

Our car host, Melissa, was not only knowledgeable & friendly, but obviously enjoyed her work aboard the train.

“The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad uses approximately 10,000 gallons of water per round-trip and 12,000 pounds of coal, which is shoveled one shovelful at a time.”

“Two miles of the Animas River are “Gold Medal” waters, a classification for the highest quality of fishing for large trout. Fly fishing only on this stretch of water.”

Getting ready to pull into Silverton Colorado..

Hope you enjoyed the scenery and skies.. Make sure to check out Sky Watch Friday and the train museum. Now for some famous Silverton food and entertainment.

Oh, and by the way the train ride back was just as neat.

 Sky Watch Friday Train Museum Colorado Skies

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Virtual Walkabout Santa Fe's Old Town a Quality Time Post

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Spending some Quality time in Santa Fe's Old Town. In getting there one discovers the city was laid out before the advent of the automobile. (the Garmin GPS really came in handy)

Thanks to my sister Sara we had an excellent place to stay. Everything is within short walking distance of Garrett’s Desert Inn

For all of you  US 66  fans  prior to 1937  this route used to run through Santa Fe. Now for a look at the Plaza. This is a spot for residents and tourists.

  The Plaza is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and is the heart and soul of the city. The Santa Fe plaza Obelisk is now politically correct. "To the heroes who have fallen in various battles with savage Indians in the Territory of New Mexico."but a word was removed so it now reads: "To the heroes who have fallen in various battles with Indians in the Territory of New Mexico."

This is a bad place for a Hunger Strike because the food is outstanding. Make sure to try some sopaipilla

The Plaza is a playground for many tourists  (bring money) interested in Spanish, Native American, and Mexican cultures, including music, design, jewelry, art and dance. READ MORE. Moving on..

Santa Fe is at least the third oldest surviving U.S. city in the 50 states that was founded by European colonists.

Next, the intrepid wanderers checked out the..

Two mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel: the identity of its builder and the physics of its construction. READ MORE

The Gothic Revival-style chapel was patterned after King Louis IX's Sainte-Chapelle in Paris; a striking contrast to the adobe churches already in the area.

Just down the street…

Kateri Tekakwitha is the first North American Native American woman to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Read More

“Pope Benedict XVI declared the cathedral a Basilica, an honor given to very few Catholic churches around the world, based on historical importance, antiquity, and the artwork contained inside.  The church certainly ranks high in historical significance: the parish was formed in 1610, ten years before the pilgrims landed in New England.”

A must see is The Museum of Contemporary Native Art. The Museum is home to the largest collection of contemporary Native art in the world and the Museum Store is a premiere shopping destination. We are now nearing the end of our walkabout just one more shop to check out then some famous Southwest cuisine.

Try the the huevos rancheros special with black beans and green chile sauce (tasty potatoes) and the stuffed sopapilla - all fantastic.

Joe Todd & Linda say,”Thanks for stopping by.”

Technorati Tags: Santa Fe,Old Town,Quality Time,Walkabout

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