Two Spurs Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 A vacation that was way too long in coming sent Sunny Spurs and I to Colorado to ride the narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton. One word description: amazing. Also went to the Strater Hotel Saloon (built in the late 1880's) to eat. Bar keep, saloon girls and piano player all dressed up- we were too in our CAS get-ups! People kept asking if we were a part of the thing and got lots of compliments and pictures taken It was great! First time for a Durango brewed wheat beer and was also good! Went to Mesa Verde and toured the Pueblo Indian ruins. Fantastic. If you get the chance to go don't pass it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painted Mohawk SASS 77785 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Some mates & I visited Mesa Verde in '011 when we came over for EOT...we are however kicking ourselves for not taking the train ride, sounds like it is a 'hoot...hopefully I'II be back sometime in the future & correct my error !! Glad you had a good time' Two Spurs.. Regards 'Painted Mohawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 My wife and I went to Antonito and took the train to Chama. Actually we took the bus to Chama and the train back. I think it was the first time my wife ever rode on a smoke belcher. She loved it. And so did I. That is some beautiful country down around Southern Colorado, New Mexico and I never did get to see anything in Texas except the Dallas airport. There was a huge range fire at the time just south of Dallas and the smoke was visible at the airport. So my vision of Texas is smoke and ... well smoke. I know that they have some nice folks down there because I went to school with some of them and they migrated to Texas. I have also met some of the other kind but I won't go into that. I guess they are all over, not just Texas. I grew up near the railroad and as a kid I was always enthralled but the size and girth of those old steam engines. How they would huff and puff and make the ground shake when they moved. They WERE ALIVE. I understand that the modern diesels are more efficent and can move more freight, but they do not have the soul of those fearsome steam monsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Yup, I've ridden the D&S twice and the Cumbres and Toltec once, loved them both! I think I actually liked the C&T better, as travels the high country rather than down in the canyon. One funny little thing. One time riding the Silverton, there was a big bunch of man made beehives beside the track, and both times we passed the engineer hit the valve that blows steam about 100 feet on both sides at the beehives. Made me wonder if those bees got him at some point or he just didn't like bees. Mebbe it was just an ornery engineer! JHC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Lizard Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I rode that same train 40 years OK 50 years ago...It was pretty than and I'm sure it still is today... Texas Lizard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Glad you had a great time. Its too bad that it has been so hazy/smokey from the western US fires. It is really a sight to see all the mts around Silverton and the San Jauns here. Been pretty ugy for the past week or 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Been up in that area every year from'75 -'83. It was on our way to Circle K camp near Dolores. Beautiful country! GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Been up in that area every year from'75 -'83. It was on our way to Circle K camp near Dolores. Beautiful country! GG Circle K is about 25 miles up the road from my place. Nice place to camp and spend some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Circle K is about 25 miles up the road from my place. Nice place to camp and spend some time. Right on Big Sage ~ you are blessed to live in such beautiful country GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el Gato Gordo - SASS #15162 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sounds like a great time! Next time splurge and stay overnight in the Strater and enjoy their fine breakfast, too. We always have a good time in the Durango area, going to Mesa Verde & riding the train. Perhaps there should be a tour of Colorado CAS clubs and breweries. Go to a match, go to a brewerie, AFTER. Something to think about for next summer. Colorado Cowboys in Lake George, and the Bierwerks in Woodland Park, first Saturday. Who's next? Salud! eGG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Cole, SASS #56849 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Hotel at night Durango bound Our trip was a couple of years back (infact my photogrphy was still in 35mm) Had a blast and met Jack Elam at one of the saloons.. want to do it again. curley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calico Mary Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sounds like a great time! Next time splurge and stay overnight in the Strater and enjoy their fine breakfast, too. We always have a good time in the Durango area, going to Mesa Verde & riding the train. Perhaps there should be a tour of Colorado CAS clubs and breweries. Go to a match, go to a brewerie, AFTER. Something to think about for next summer. Colorado Cowboys in Lake George, and the Bierwerks in Woodland Park, first Saturday. Who's next? Salud! eGG I think a smaller brewery would be better, but you could always try to get Pawnee Station involved, they aren't far from Budweiser. And if it doesn't have to be breweries, try the Thunder Mt. Shootists and one of the many wineries over in Palisade....I don't drink beer, but I'd be more than happy to sample the wine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Well, it's okay. If ya like that sort of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfgang, SASS #53480 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 A vacation that was way too long in coming sent Sunny Spurs and I to Colorado to ride the narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton. One word description: amazing. Also went to the Strater Hotel Saloon (built in the late 1880's) to eat. Bar keep, saloon girls and piano player all dressed up- we were too in our CAS get-ups! People kept asking if we were a part of the thing and got lots of compliments and pictures taken It was great! First time for a Durango brewed wheat beer and was also good! Went to Mesa Verde and toured the Pueblo Indian ruins. Fantastic. If you get the chance to go don't pass it up. I bin thur several times and LOVE it. Bin thur in winter with a Xmas Tree planted in a bit pile of snow in the center of the main intersection And have rode the train. . . some pictures . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Blarney Kid Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 When I was nine I lived in Silverton for a while. The best part of the train coming in for me was the gunfights they staged. All us kids used to harass the bad guys until they got shot. Looks like the cowboy shows stuck on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Spurs Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 Yup, I've ridden the D&S twice and the Cumbres and Toltec once, loved them both! I think I actually liked the C&T better, as travels the high country rather than down in the canyon. ........ JHC We really want to ride the Cumbres and Toltec as well. The brochure pics look outstanding. There is truly something really neat about being on one of the old trains. Sounds like a great time! Next time splurge and stay overnight in the Strater and enjoy their fine breakfast, too. We always have a good time in the Durango area, going to Mesa Verde & riding the train. Perhaps there should be a tour of Colorado CAS clubs and breweries. Go to a match, go to a brewerie, AFTER. Something to think about for next summer. Colorado Cowboys in Lake George, and the Bierwerks in Woodland Park, first Saturday. Who's next? Salud! eGG We splurged (for us anyway) at the General Palmer. Worth every penny. I so want to do a CAS tour of that area. Would love to have a whole month- 2 different clubs one weekend, 2 more the next...... I'd probably be more busy if it wasn't for having to work to pay the bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Course sunglasses are handy for keeping most of the cinders outa you're eyes but can you imagine eating them on a long trip? Speaking of polaroid glasses I looked down into the San Juan searching for trout or even a glimpse of trot. Nada! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfgang, SASS #53480 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Yup, I've ridden the D&S twice and the Cumbres and Toltec once, loved them both! I think I actually liked the C&T better, as travels the high country rather than down in the canyon. JHC Haven't gotten to ride it . . . but just visiting the train yard was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver Loving Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 My wife retires at the end of Dec. This train ride will definately be put on our bucket list. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I so want to do a CAS tour of that area. Would love to have a whole month- 2 different clubs one weekend, 2 more the next...... I'd probably be more busy if it wasn't for having to work to pay the bills! If you ever decide to spend some time down here in the 4 Corners area, PM me and I'll give you some specific information relating to the clubs and their shooting schedule and how to get to the ranges. We have 5 ranges and 4 SASS clubs within 75 miles of each other that shoot every weekend of the month. There are also 2 great annual shoots here too. If your RV or moteling,I can also help you out there. We have some pretty hospitable folks down here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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