Our Road Trip to Chama
On Saturday, we actually set the alarm as we had decided to get an early start on our roadtrip to Chama, New Mexico. We were out of the house before 9 am with coffee jug and map, cooler and some cash. Our destination was a small town about 85 miles east; a town known for having a narrow gauge railroad from the 1880's that had been renovated and was in use. Although we had decided to pass on the $120 ride ( per person), we did want to see this town in the Rocky Mountains.
It isn't often you encounter this sign... it was an interesting road - Okay for Jeep travel but definitely not the motorhome.
Around 7,000 feet we encountered some beautiful fall color - at times it looked like shag carpeting from the 70's.
We passed through the Jicarilla (pronounced Hick A Rhea) Apache Reservation.
And we saw picture postcard views. This old wagon was actually at the entrance to an old churchyard.
Our first stop when we got to Chama was the old rail yard. It was amazing that they let us wander around wherever we pleased.
We checked out the engines and the "primitive" quarters of the rail men.
The fall colors and the clouds made the whole area beautiful.
Mike told me this was a snow blower car and of course I thought he was pulling my leg... later we heard a guide tell others the same thing... I really should believe him once in a while.
Our next stop was the old hotel in town where we had a terrific breakfast.
The place has been around a while.
This mural inside the dining room shows what the town must have been like "back in the day".
I had read that highway 17 north to Colorado followed the path of the train and would take us to Cumbres Pass at an elevation of about 10,200 feet so we headed north out of Chama and soon discovered spectacular views and threatening clouds. There is no doubt that the Rocky Mountains are the place to be this time of the year.
When we got to the summit (Cumbres in Spanish)
the sky was dark making the yellow rail station house really stand out.
Of course, we kept going and at about 10,500 feet, we hit snow and sleet.
and there was even some accumulation of white stuff when we headed back south past this old watering tank for the trains.
Mike spotted this activity a quarter mile or so off the road so we naturally had to check it out.
The whole thing was very interesting and a truly new experience, but what captured my attention was this little cowboy in the yellow slicker.
As the big guys separated the herd and prepared them for shipping, the young one practiced his roping skills.
Can't you just hear the two of them talking about the upcoming shipment ...
Coming into Cumbres Pass Station
With Mike's careful driving and maneuvering, we were able to see the train circle a mountain,
move through beautiful open countryside,
cross in front of us on the highway,
slide through narrow passageways between the road and the cliff,
and eventually pull into the station.
I am sure those aboard had a wonderful trip but I have to say, I loved seeing it meander through the countryside. I loved the whistles that told us to get ready with the cameras. I loved the sound the steam makes when the train is slowly going up a mountain.
We took a shortcut and drove over the dam - a great view of the
infamous (to trout fishermen) San Juan River.
It isn't often you encounter this sign... it was an interesting road - Okay for Jeep travel but definitely not the motorhome.
Around 7,000 feet we encountered some beautiful fall color - at times it looked like shag carpeting from the 70's.
This "Baker" or is it a "Monk" looked out of place on the hillside.
We passed through the Jicarilla (pronounced Hick A Rhea) Apache Reservation.
And we saw picture postcard views. This old wagon was actually at the entrance to an old churchyard.
Our first stop when we got to Chama was the old rail yard. It was amazing that they let us wander around wherever we pleased.
We checked out the engines and the "primitive" quarters of the rail men.
The fall colors and the clouds made the whole area beautiful.
Mike told me this was a snow blower car and of course I thought he was pulling my leg... later we heard a guide tell others the same thing... I really should believe him once in a while.
Our next stop was the old hotel in town where we had a terrific breakfast.
The place has been around a while.
This mural inside the dining room shows what the town must have been like "back in the day".
I had read that highway 17 north to Colorado followed the path of the train and would take us to Cumbres Pass at an elevation of about 10,200 feet so we headed north out of Chama and soon discovered spectacular views and threatening clouds. There is no doubt that the Rocky Mountains are the place to be this time of the year.
When we got to the summit (Cumbres in Spanish)
the sky was dark making the yellow rail station house really stand out.
Of course, we kept going and at about 10,500 feet, we hit snow and sleet.
At this point we were near a national recreation area and on the continental divide. Down a narrow road, we found a mountain lake, nearly dried up this time of year.
It was getting a bit chilly
and there was even some accumulation of white stuff when we headed back south past this old watering tank for the trains.
Mike spotted this activity a quarter mile or so off the road so we naturally had to check it out.
We had stumbled into a real life cattle round-up. It was time to move the cattle from high country where they had been grazing for the summer and take them back to the ranch in Colorado.
The whole thing was very interesting and a truly new experience, but what captured my attention was this little cowboy in the yellow slicker.
As the big guys separated the herd and prepared them for shipping, the young one practiced his roping skills.
Can't you just hear the two of them talking about the upcoming shipment ...
Then, we heard the train whistle and it was time to get back on the road and find a spot or two from which to take some pictures of the Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad getting some use. What follows are more pictures of the train than you ever possibly wanted to see!
Coming into Cumbres Pass Station
The train was inspected and some of the passengers got off and boarded a bus to finish their adventure.
With Mike's careful driving and maneuvering, we were able to see the train circle a mountain,
move through beautiful open countryside,
cross in front of us on the highway,
slide through narrow passageways between the road and the cliff,
and eventually pull into the station.
I am sure those aboard had a wonderful trip but I have to say, I loved seeing it meander through the countryside. I loved the whistles that told us to get ready with the cameras. I loved the sound the steam makes when the train is slowly going up a mountain.
We enjoyed a wonderful road trip on Saturday! We made it safely "home" by 6:30 with many memories tucked away.
posted by jf and me | 12:30 AM
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