Lee Ruk/Flickr Creative Common
It strikes me that Texas is pretty hot come July, and even worse when August rolls around, and that’s got me to thinking about summer travels already. Thinking about dusting off the RV and heading for the mountains where the air is clear… and the temperature about 65 degrees. What’s great about Texas, though, is that we’re only one drive away from the mountains in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Admittedly, it’s quite the drive if you’re in the eastern half!
One very out-of-the-ordinary activity you can enjoy in that area is riding behind an old steam engine through the mountains. There are two famous steam train operations in that area: the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad based out of Chama, NM and the Durango and Silverton based in Durango, CO.
The Cumbres and Toltec is based in Chama, NM and runs through Cumbres Pass and Toltec Gorge through to Antonito, CO. It was built by the Denver and Rio Grande railroad back in the 1880’s mainly in support of mining operations in the San Juan mountains and is a narrow gauge railway. It was finally abandoned in the 1960’s until the Antonito-Chama line was purchased by both states of Colorado and New Mexico to be operated as a scenic railway for tourists. Now you can enjoy a ride through some beautiful scenery as the train pulls you through the 10,000 plus foot Cumbres Pass up to Osier where you can get out, stretch your legs, have lunch and either continue on to Antonito or return to Chama. It’s a wonderful way of seeing the beautiful San Juan mountains as well as introducing the younger generations to the historic style of travel.
Meanwhile in Durango, CO there is another narrow gauge railroad available for rides between Durango and Silverton, CO. It too was originally built by the Denver and Rio Grande back in the 1880’s to support silver and gold mining in the San Juans, and the stretch of track between Durango and Silverton has been in continuous use since 1881. Think about that for a minute. It’s 2015 now, which means this stretch of track might be the only place in the United States where steam locomotives have been working for 134 straight years!! The ride is 45 miles through beautiful country, very reminiscent of the Old West, because frankly, it IS the Old West.
This would make a wonderful summer get away, and if you do decide to head that way, tell them PPL Motorhomes says howdy!