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French version of this page |
German version of this page |
Page last updated 9 September 2006
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French version of this page |
German version of this page |
Page last updated 9 September 2006
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Visiting Colorado in the late summer/Fall, is becoming a bit of a habit. September is probably the best time of year for a Colorado visit. The weather is about perfect and the Aspen trees look at their best. This trip coincided with my train phase. There is something romantic about travelling by train (even travelling alone!) and it is a good way to see the country. I flew into Denver where I stayed for a couple of nights before taking the Amtrak 'Californian Zephyr' to Glenwood Springs. This is only a small section of the train's route. The train starts its journey in Chicago, Illinois and goes all the way to Emeryville, California.
At Glenwood they hook up another engine to get through the Rockies. I was keen to get a good seat on the train so got to the station early and stood in line as there does not seem to be any pre-booking of seats. However, this proved to be unnecessary. I got a good seat but then discovered the observation car and ended up spending the entire journey there. The observation car has glass lots of windows to look out of and seats that swivel round to give you a view in all directions. It is also the place where everyone congregates so in general a good place to be. For some reason there were a lot of farmers from the mid West aboard with names like Cletus! Everyone was really friendly and I was chatting for most of the journey. It is a slow way of getting between Denver and Glenwood but that is not the point. It is about the view, the experience and meeting people. |
Denver |
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At Glenwood I had made a reservation at the Hot Springs Lodge, where I had stayed before. It's not as fancy as the Colorado Hotel but a really nice play to stay.
The weather wasn't great in Glenwood but that didn't really make much difference. I hired a bike and rode along the path beside the river a few times, did a white water rafting trip and visited the Vapour Caves for a massage. |
Glenwood Springs |
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Scott, my cousin, then joined me from Colorado Springs for the start of our road trip. I have always loved road trips in the States. It is a great feeling to throw a bag in the back of the car and set off with a rough idea of where you're going but not knowing what you'll discover on the way. The States is perfect for this with miles of empty roads and plenty of cheap lodgings and eating places.
In colorado it is possible to drive for half a day without passing another car. A real treat for me too is the wildlife. We saw bison, deer, elk, antelope and some bear, not to mention the numerous birds of prey. |
Colorado road trip |
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It is always good to be in Colorado Springs. Nestled against the Rockies with Pikes Peak watching over the City, the perfect climate and clear air make this a great place to be. The trouble is everyone else in the US has realised this and it is noticeably busier than when I first went in 1986. With new housing developments springing up the City is expanding at a tremendous rate and rush hour traffic is becoming quite a problem.
With one road trip behind me I was keen to get on the road again and see a bit more of the States. My plan was to drive down to Santa Fe, New Mexico. However, Scott had said it was expensive and recommended Taos, a place I had not heard of before. Taos is a real delight and will not disappoint if you visit. It is a ski resort in the winter and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Near to Taos is Taos Pueblo, a large adobe communal residence for native Americans. It is the forerunner to the modern condominium. There is an entrance fee and a further fee for using a camera. Taos itself attracts artists and the arts and crafts shops in town reflect this. There is a real Mexican feel to the area, which is hardly surprising really as New Mexico was once part of Mexico! Adobe style buildings are everywhere, vibrant colours abound and it is common to see bunches of chilis hung up to dry in the sun. These constant reminders and the hot and spicy cuisine don't let you forget that you are in the South-West. Things to see nearby include the view from the Rio Grande Gorge bridge and the Enchanted Circle scenic drive which I did twice. I went into Santa Fe for one day to visit a couple of museums and generally just look around. It is a pretty place and I particularly liked the way that new buildings had been built in the traditional adobe style. |
Taos and Santa Fe |
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| I don't think I have been to anywhere like Bishop Castle before. It is quite unique and a remarkable example of what can be achieved by one man. Since 1969, Jim Bishop has been building his own castle. I could go on here but will leave you to look at the photos and check out the links at the bottom of the page if you want to find out more. |
Bishop Castle |
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| Another first for me in Colorado. Bob took us all out to ride the train through the Royal Gorge. It starts in Canon City and is a 12 mile ride that meanders through the Royal Gorge and underneath the suspension bridge. I had looked down from the bridge before but never up at it. The weather was glorious that day. The ride is very popular and booking is recommended. |
The Royal Gorge Route |
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Links and resources |
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| Amtrak | Train journeys across the States |
| Bishop Castle | One man's life work |
| Glenwood Springs | Official guide |
| Hot Springs Lodge and Pool | My accommodation in Glenwood Springs |
| Taos County | Chamber of commerce |
| Taos | General information |
| Santa Fe | Convention and visitors bureau |
| The Royal Gorge Route | Train ride through the Royal Gorge |
