Train to Glenwood Springs

For spring break this year, John had the wonderful idea that we should take a train trip.  The kids have done the Durango/Silverton train, but that's it.  And they have often mentioned how fun they thought it would be to take a trip on a train.  We looked into going all the way to California but decided the kids might go stir crazy being on a train for 30+ hours, so maybe we should start with something smaller.  The California Zephyr stops in Glenwood Springs 6 hours after leaving Denver, so we decided that was about perfect.

I loved seeing the changes in scenery along the way.  There were dramatic changes in vistas, for the small amount of territory we actually covered.
Campbell enjoyed photographing the view, as well.
Helene said her favorite part of the train ride was "not having to wear seatbelts!"  We sat in the front row of our car.  We had leg rests and foot rests, and the seats leaned back without disturbing the people behind us.  So much better than an airplane!


The car right in front of ours was the lounge car.  The seats faced the windows, and there were windows on the roof of the car, as well, so this was the best place to relax and enjoy the changing scenery.


Nice place to read, as well.

We had lunch in the dining car, but I failed to take any pictures there.  The food wasn't spectacular, but it was fun to sit at a table with a tablecloth and flowers and be served by a waitress, while still making progress towards our destination.

More pictures of the varying mountains along the way:


All in all, I think the train ride was a hit.  It takes a couple of hours longer than driving would, but you have the freedom to roam, and you don't encounter traffic jams.