All Aboard! Well, not “all”, riding a train from Durango to Silverton for 4 hours is not something #hubs was interested in doing. We decided he would stay back with our girls and we would meet up in Silverton for the car ride back.
As the train left the Durango station, all the people on the platform sent us off with waves and cheers. It was exciting hearing the train whistle, seeing the steam coming out of the locomotive engine, starting our 45 mile trip to Silverton. As we crossed over RR crossings on our journey, people in cars waved and honked their horns. We even encountered a few “mooners” along the way!
The scenery through the Animas River canyon was breathtakingly beautiful. The only way to travel through the canyon is by train. Fall in Colorado is amazing. The aspen trees, with their white trunks, had their leaves turning bright yellow colors. Blue Spruce trees (Colorado state tree) were scattered everywhere. Sitting in an open car for the ride, drinking some “spiked” coffee, was the perfect way to see the gorgeous scenery. Around every turn the views got prettier and prettier.
We were hoping to take a 30 minute ride north of Silverton to Ouray however, the train was late arriving in Silverton and we ran out of time. Riding back to Durango by car was just as beautiful, but much shorter. Traveling up to Silverton by train, and back by car was the best way to see the beauty from down under and from the top!
It is amazing to think that the Durango – Silverton train has been in continuous operation since 1882!
