California Zephyr Journey Winding Up

     Friday was our final day hitching a ride on the California Zephyr.  We had been aboard for 8 days, back and forth across this country, and seen some very impressive sights.  Our journey started in Emeryville, CA, just outside of San Francisco on November 20, 2015.

 Bedroom type accommodations worked just fine for us, since we've taken to a lifestyle of just having the necessities of life.  We made 98 scheduled stops along the way between Emeryville and Albany, NY, and back.  Most were in major cities along the way such as Reno, NV, Denver, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Omaha, NE.  And some were stops at locations that made you wonder why in earth would we ever stop here, like Winnemucca, NV.  We stopped in Lincoln, NE around 3:00 AM, and I wish I had my camera ready.  The stopping train woke me from a pretty sound sleep, and as I looked out the window, 2 massive coliseums with  a huge red N on the front passed my window.  Memorial Stadium, and Pinnacle Bank Arena, home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football and basketball teams, were  lit up like a Christmas trees. They seem to take their sports programs pretty serious in Nebraska!

     We had about a 20 minute stop in Denver, which Debbie and I used to stretch our legs, and get a glimpse of the train station, also known as the Crawford Hotel.  Absolutely incredible building, all decked out for Christmas.  There were lots of little shops around the perimeter, which I managed to keep Debbie out of saying the train is ready to go!

    The truly unique factor about traveling by rail across the U.S. is the fact that most everybody on the train has an experience to share, and when given the opportunity, will gladly sit and visit for as long as you want.  Amtrak always seats 4 people at the table each meal, so the odds are pretty good you're going to meet someone new each meal.  One couple we met were from Colorado, and gave us a huge tip about hot springs in Golden Co, which just happened to be a stop along the tracks.  As we pulled into Golden CO, we could see the block long hot spring pool across the street from the tracks, along with numerous individuals who seemed to be enjoying the cool weather in the pool.

 As we approached Golden on the way back, the entire Lodge was decorated with Christmas decorations.  Not the best picture, but you get the idea.  To the east, according to our source, was a town call No Name, and in No Name is an RV campground called, what else but, No Name Campground.  So this little factoid was added to our spreadsheet, and should we get the opportunity, we'll be checking it out.
     But what made the trip so special was the fantastic scenery opening up all around us.  Many of the canyons we passed through can only be seen by train or river raft.

 From the comfort of the Viewing Car, we watched magnificent bald eagles perched in trees or fishing along the banks of the Colorado River.  We passed through a 6 mile tunnel at about the 8000 foot level, crossing over the Rockies from Denver.  That was pretty cool traveling through the Rockies for about 10 minutes.  The snow pack was well underway in the Rockies which made for some pretty cool photos.

Both of our layovers in Chicago afforded us the opportunity to get out an check out the downtown area.  Of course that means a visit to see the Christmas decorations in the windows at Macy's.  And who can pass up the opportunity for a "selfie with the elfies!"  

And on the return trip through Chicago, we ventured downtown and located Cloud Gate, located in Millennium Park.

 This is a 110 ton elliptical egg, made from highly polished stainless steel, that reflects the Chicago skyline and sky.  If you can work it right, you can see yourself in the reflection.  MaryAnne visited there last summer, so of course, we had to copy her.

 And then we had to revisit Macy's after finding out that up on the 8th & 9th floors, is the famous Christmas tree.  Around the base of the tree is a restaurant which provides some pretty incredible views of Macy's.
     We made it safely back into San Francisco about 4 1/2 hours behind schedule.  Burlington Northern RR owns the tracks, and Amtrak only rents them, so you quickly figure out who has the priority.  Our delay occurred in Colorado, as we waited for 4 hours for Burlington Northern rearrange a coal car.  That's right....1 coal car!  When the train finally passed us, there were 79 coal cars and 5 engines pushing the load up over the Rockies.  But we had no place that we had to be, so sit back and enjoy the scenery.
     We had an amazing return trip down the California coast.  But that story is for the next blog.  It's time to get out and get ready for the Christmas Season.
     Stay safe everyone!