Nostalgic Train Ride
Train travel doesn’t usually have the hype and glam of other forms of travel. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy flying all over the world. But for me, there is something nostalgic and beautiful about train travel. I love to feel the click clack click clack rocking of the train cars. And to listen to the train whistle blowing low and strong across the plains. Time seems to slow down, and life just doesn’t have the hustle-bustle that is normally there. It is soothing for the soul.
Best Train Ride in Colorado
I try to fit at least one train vacation into our schedule each year. And occasionally we take day trips on local trains. One of the most beautiful trips we took recently was the Royal Gorge Railway in Cañon City, Colorado. It’s about a two-hour drive from Denver. We went on a Sunday while my Mom was visiting in mid-October. We thought she would enjoy it. She, like me, is a big train fan.
Fine Dining along the Railway
We bought our tickets online and opted for the top of the line “dome” dining car with a four-course specialty Octoberfest ride. The tickets were about $100 each. I later learned I could have gotten a senior ticket for Mom if I had called. Once we arrived at the train station, there was a cute little gift shop. The tickets said to arrive 30 minutes early for a 12:30 departure. They also run a 9:30 departure for the early-birders but we were glad we waiting for the 12:30 departure because of SNOW!
We boarded at Noon and got settled in the upper floor “dome” dining car. This car is called dome because of the big dome-shaped windows that let you look out while you dine. It was definitely the “first-class” experience we were looking for.
We were expecting train food, but the Royal Gorge Railway is set on changing the definition of train food. Chef Jeremy is the Royal Gorge Route’s executive chef. He is a master in the kitchen and procures local and seasonal ingredients to make Colorado-inspired multi-course meals. Our dinner was absolutely exquisite with Duck Roulade, Stuffed Quail, Spaetzle and Vegetables. We also had the Oktoberfest beer flight with lunch which featured seasonal brews.
The train also had an accordion player providing some nostalgic music for the ride. He was entertaining as well as funny. Imagine the tune of “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music in the background.
Royal Gorge is the Deepest Canyon in Colorado
There were so many sights along the way. First and foremost, the gorgeous royal gorge itself. The Royal Gorge is a canyon of the Arkansas River flowing just west of Cañon City, Colorado. The canyon is sometimes called the grand canyon of the Arkansas River, with its narrow, but tall granite walls, it is an unusual formation and makes for some beautiful scenery, including a famous bridge that spans the canyon. The canyon begins at the mouth of Grape Creek about 2 mi west of central Cañon City and continues in a west-northwesterly direction for about 6 miles. It is one of the deepest canyons in Colorado.
There was so much to see along this 2.5-hour ride, such as the bighorn sheep grazing on the steep cliffs, and the amazing Arkansas river and rapids coursing through the valley. And the conductor stops the train at one point to let you go out onto the open-air car to get pictures of the Royal Gorge Bridge which hovers almost 1000 feet above the gorge and is pretty famous on its own. It was the tallest bridge in the world from 1929 until 2001 and is still the tallest bridge in the US.
By Bkthomson – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19218575
Magical Snow on the Railway
By far, the best part of this trip was the magical snow that began falling while traveling through the canyon. This railway has an open-air car as part of the visitor areas that allow you to walk outside while the train is moving. It was cold, but I couldn’t wait to experience this. Even though no one else wanted to join me, I knew I wasn’t letting this moment pass me by.
I ran into the snow like a kid on Christmas morning.
The pure joy I felt at that moment, traveling by train, in an open-air car in the snow, soaking up the natural beauty of this world, well, it was like heaven, pure heaven. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face for a week. I was the happiest passenger on that train.
And that’s where the name Prosperity Passenger came from. I decided in that moment of pure joy that I wanted to be a travel blogger and to write about the prosperity that is found on all my travels. I began travel blogging 2 weeks later. 😊
We are all just passengers in this thing called Life,
but why not make it a journey of passion, prosperity, and fun. This is a blog about enjoying life, being prosperous at home and on the road, traveling, and digging deeper into the joys and mysteries of life.
Where have you traveled that inspired you to live your life fully and set you on a new course of prosperity??? Leave a message or comment!
We have noticed that we have made our home base very similar to what we enjoy while traveling. Therefore traveling has inspired us to enjoy each day like a vacation.
Yes, Missy. This is so true. Everyday Adventures! This train trip was only 2 hours away from where we live, so it made a perfect day trip! Thanks for commenting!
What a cool experience! I have never traveled by train but my parents took a two week trip across the Western states a few years ago, so now that’s on my wishlist!
Thanks, Pam, I experienced my first overnight train ride in California last year and we adored it. I have found that most states have day trip train adventures worth checking out! This Royal Gorge train was only 2 hours from where we live. It made a great everyday adventure! I love following your Everyday Adventure blog. Thanks!
Oh my goodness! I would love to take a train ride somewhere. You’ve piqued my curiosity and now I need to go investigate! 🙂
Shirley, I highly recommend it. It has its own allure! We are already planning our next train adventure!
I love this! I haven’t been on a train in far too long.
Thanks, Dominique. I highly recommend it! We are already planning our next train adventure.
Omg THAT BRIDGE IS RIDICULOUS! What a gorgeoues train ride! We have a brother in law in Denver and this is a bucket list adventure when we visit. I am a train lover too and my 3 year old would lose his MIND 🤯. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Charmae. We took the kids on an overnight train ride in California. They loved it. I especially loved the part where we all disconnected from electronics and played together as a family. Definitely hope you can ride a train sometime soon!
I love this trip! I think it was great that you went with the fine dining option. That would have been my choice as well.
Thanks Tricia. Yes, we were pleasantly surprised by the food. It was definitely worth it!
Great post! Looks like a good adventure!!!
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Thanks Jen. I highly recommend it.
I have never taken a scenic train trip! This one is going on my list of cool things to do!
Glad you enjoyed Maggie. I highly recommend it and you can usually find one near where you live even.
My son would love a train ride! I have to admit, it sounds like fun to me too!
Yes Trisha, I think who would! There were several kids on the train and they were really enjoying!
Wow! This seems like a great trip! I know my mom would enjoy it as well.
Glad you enjoyed. My mom was thrilled with the ride. She loves riding the trains but can’t ride by herself anymore. We were so happy she could go with us.
This definitely looks like a trip I’d enjoy. My mom would as well!
Thanks for reminding me about beautiful Colorado. I am a native of Colorado but now live in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has its own beauty too. Loved seeing your pictures and videos.
Thanks, Sheila. It is nice to find day trips around the area where we can enjoy our beautiful state of Colorado. I love to travel, but this is a great reminder to not take our home state for granted.
We took our first scenic train ride this year from Milan Italy to St Moritz Switzerland. It was amazing! This looks so wonderful! I agree that traveling by train is so worthwhile!
That’s wonderful Janell. I bet it was beautiful! We try to incorporate a train ride wherever we travel. We were sad to find out Iceland didn’t have any trains! But we did ride the train in California, Chicago, London, Scotland, and Peru. We hope to continue our train travels where ever we go!
I’ve never been on a train before…I bet this was so much fun! The Royal Gorge Bridge looks amazing!
Yes, Bethany. It was amazing. There is also an amusement park up by the bridge. We weren’t able to go since we were 1000 feet below! Next time!
I lived in Colorado for years and I never took that train ride – I’ll have to put that on my list for when I got back in April!! Thanks for sharing and I love train rides too, something very nostalgic for sure.
Thanks Michele. One of my goals is to appreciate Colorado and all it has to offer. No matter where I travel, I love Colorado! I’m already looking to schedule my next train ride soon!
Oh my gosh I love this so much! It’s been a dream of mine to take a train ride like this! Someday for sure! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Nissa. It was quite an exhilarating ride and so meaningful to me as well. I hope you find a train ride like this in your future!
Sounds like a fun trip. I love to travel and plan 2-3 trips annually with my son. We’re currently on a journey to travel to all 50 states and we’ve taken a few train rides. There is something special about train travel. We haven’t been to Colorado yet, so perhaps we’ll look at this as an option when we plan our Colorado vacation.
Happy Holidays!
Wow, Jane. 50 states. What a great journey and memory to make with your son. I hope you can find a train ride along your journeys!
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