I woke up to more beautiful scenery and even though still
tired I had to take some pictures. After enjoying a hot chocolate in the launch
car while passing the sleepy town of Helper, Utah and riding through the
beautiful Ruby Canyon we had a longer stop in Green River, UT due to crossing
traffic. Spending a couple of minutes at the fresh air did really well. The
next stop took place at Grand Junction, Colorado and I had a look at the old
station building that is currently under renovation. On the launch car I met
two nice older ladies who told me a bit more about former experience of
traveling by train, interesting stories. Then it was again time for lunch and I
was lucky as I made it to the first seating. I was seated with a very nice
couple from Upper State New York and a gentlemen who was call Amtrak almost his
second home, he had an impressing number of Amtrak bonus miles accumulated and
was on one of his bonus trips. A lot of interesting stories were shared over
lunch while the train had a longer stop in Glenwood Springs, CO. The reason for
the longer stop were construction works and rail replacements. I got a third
chance that day to spend some time at the fresh air. The train left Glenwood
Springs with 90 minutes delay. Until then the train had been pretty much on
time which was according to seasoned travelers almost a wonder. The scenery
after Glenwood Springs was once again breathtaking with the train going through
the beautiful Glenwood Canyon climbing up towards the Rocky Mountains. Station
stops in Granby, CO and Fraser-Winter Park, CO were rather short in order to
make up some of the delay which could be reduced down to about 60 minutes. At
Granby we finally left the Colorado River behind us which had accompanied our
rain journey for about 235 miles. Leaving Fraser-Winter Park we soon reached
the 6.2 mile long Moffat tunnel that was opened in 1928. Unfortunately on the
other side the weather wasn’t very pleasant and there was not much to see of
Denver like usually. It was rainy and cloudy. Being on the final approach to
Denver with only 60 minutes delay the train got hold up once again just miles
from the Union Station due to a broken freight train traveling in front of our
train. Our train needed to be rerouted traveling on very low speed through a
rail yard. Finally Denver Union Station was reached at about 8.20 pm instead of
6.38 pm. I was impressed by the beautiful station hall and the freshly
renovated Union Station. I was lucky as I could check-in my baggage for the
next day right after I had reclaimed it. I only needed a few things from the
bag for my one night stay in Denver. Leaving the bag at the station was very
convenient and made my life so much easier. After I had left Union Station I
made my way to 16
th Street where I caught the free Mall Shuttle bus.
I took one stop underway in order to buy something little to eat as I still
felt hungry before hopping again on the Shuttle bus until its final stop at the
Civic Center. From there it was only a short 6 blocks walk to my hostel. After
check-in I went sleeping pretty soon. It felt good to finally be again able to
sleep in a proper bed after four nights sleeping in a seat, first two nights on
the airplane, then one night on the Greyhound bus and finally another night on
the California Zephyr.
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| California Zephyr stopping in the middle of nowhere |
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| California Zephyr after arrival in Denver |
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