Happy Flower Friday...with
Hosted by Da Boyz and Angel Dory
the only thing blooming in this heat is our Crepe Myrtles and our neighbor's
When we arrived we were greeted by this very friendly 1/2 Man 1/2 dinosaur.
It had something to do with a special event for the kids at the station that day.
This part of the trip out west has been on MadiDad's to do list for many many years.
Needless to say it was a thrilling day.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL ABOARD!!
Engine #486 was our ride up the narrow gauge tracks from Durango to Silverton
at high altitude. (lol)
We needed to board our reserved car, San Juan, at 8:30.
When ALL aboard was called we found these nice cups in our seats.
We could fill them up with anything (non alcoholic) for as long as we were on the train.
The scenery on the 3 hour ride to Silverton was amazing...deep gorges and beautiful vistas
THESE NEXT TWO WERE THE MOST COVETED SHOTS THAT HUBBY WANTED AND I GOT THEM
BURP or to a train brain Blow Down, release sludge and debris. I was able to snap a
Burpy Blow Down too. Below look way up to the engine.. the red arrow
A blow down is always done over a trestle so as not to harm any trees or vegetation with the hot steam. The train is fueled by coal which makes ashes which fly about every where.
Due to the dry conditions and all the ashes, we had a spotter in a helicopter
flying above us to watch for any sparks that might start from the ashes. He could
call for help in a nano second.
Once in Silverton we had some time to explore before we had lunch
Silverton has one paved road...the remainder of the roads are gravel
BUT look at those views!!!
Our motor coach is pictured on the left side of the photo. Our fabulous driver
Larry drove it up the Silverton while we rode the train.
They were having an antique vehicle show. The red Corvette had my name all over it
but alas my luggage was too small
Say goodbye to #486 and ride the coach back through some beautiful back roads and scenery
The Caboose...aka THE End
This was a wonderful day the weather was beautiful and temperatures perfect.
If you'd like to read more about this trip click here
If you missed the funny story about an event that happened while the peeps were in
Silverton, click here
In spite of my poem yesterday about my bowl being EMPTY I have a confession.
Since I had the tummy ickies after the peeps returned from the
one week trip out west, Mom has been very diligent and dedicated to seeing that my bowl is full. My vet suggested small meals several times a day. I LOVE MY VET!
Anyway I go back today for a recheck today at 1:30 pm. Mom is
pretty sure I have gained back most of the weight I lost. WE'll let you know how the visit went on tomorrow's post.
As you can see from these pictures and the others from our vacation
each moment was beautiful
I hope you are back in top form soon, Madi!
ReplyDeleteGail and I are very envious of the trip on the steam train. Everything about it looks wonderful (although Gail tells me she doubts that dogs would be allowed on board).
ReplyDeleteAnd hey but that's great news about your weight gain Madi.
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
oh the dino-guy and the train and THIS RED CAR... that is super great... what a fabulous trip your humans had...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous vacation and so many beautiful pictures! Mom remembers the Crepe Myrtle when she lived in the South. It's a beautiful tree!
ReplyDeleteI love a train ride that looks like you are going to fall off the side of the mountain! teehee! What a beautiful trip you had!
ReplyDeleteWowser, those pictures are just fantastic and what fun to see all that and most of all, to ride on that train.Looks like a trip made in heaven. Glad you had so much fun. And Glad to hear that Madi is a little better.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteYYYAAABBBBAAAAAADDDDDAAAAABBBBAAAADDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! OMC Madi, am squirming in my seat with green jelly over here!!! I have their web page up and see there is a fall photgraphers special - but crikey I need to win lotto... (I need to remember to buy a ticket so there's even a chance of winning lotto...tsk...)..... **walks away muttering into her beard - but super impressed with mum's photography on this one**
I think you were doing the diva and registering a protest at being left behind from all this wonderfurs adventures Madi, and who could blame you! Hugs and whiskeries, YAM-aunty xxx
I know MadiDad the TrainHead was on cloud #9 with the biggest grin on his face.
ReplyDeleteGlad he got to do something that he wanted to for a long time.
All 3 of you have a good weekend. If the weather guessers are right, we will be working inside this weekend.
Happy weekend.
That train must have been a ton of fun. We think you should have had the Corvette shipped home!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
your guy Raz and The Florida Furkids
The crepe myrtles are gorgeous... Japanese Beetles are devouring ours despite spraying. That train trip had to be awesome. I have only ridden Amtrak twice and it was for a family girl's trip to the MissouREE wineries. Happy to hear you have gained back your weight and that you are feeling better, Madi. Anxious to know how the vet visit goes! Little Red Corvette is a beauty!
ReplyDeletehope the vet visit goes well for you Madi ... and I was about to say I want to ride that train because I love trains to, but then I scrolled down to that scary cliff it was on the edge of and that sharp curve and changed my mind. loved all the pics, and I would love to see Silverton. it was in a lot of my western novels
ReplyDeleteWe just know your dad fully enjoyed his train ride. He probably wished he could ride up front in the engine though. You sure saw some beautiful things on your trip. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are our favorite so far. Mom thinks a train trip would be fun.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely green with envy here! And Brom has gone a funny shade as well!! We will however wait until next year when we will be seeing old buses (that is one of my things). But that is next year. Until then I will be green.
ReplyDeleteMara from Norway
Such cool trains and pretty flowers sweet Madi!
ReplyDeleteThree hours on the train...must have almost felt zen-like! The beautiful views, the swaying of the carriage...sounds delightful! We've been giving Angel and Chuck several small meals a day; it seems to keep weight on Chuck, which is important. Angel is getting a bit round, so we try to balance it all out.
ReplyDeleteWow! We're going to have to show this post to my favorite miniature human, Ryan. He loves trains!
ReplyDeletemadi....984 pawz crossed yur chex up at de eeeeeeeevil place proved grate ree sultz...N we NOE dad waz buzzed happee ta takez de train ride...de foto oh de lake surrounded by treez ia amazin...talk a bout...could sew live ther :) ♥♥
ReplyDeleteOh my kitty what a fun trip. So in other words mom and pops stole those cool cups, BOL. Are you calling Pops choo-choo- Charlie?
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
SHE loves trains! Looks fantastic. Glad the weather was so cooperative.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are HUGE Crape Myrtles! Ours are only 2-3 feet! Of course, Mom cuts them down to the ground every year ... that could explain it!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the photos!
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher
Our Daddy is going to be sooooo jelly when he sees this!!! What a fantabulous trip!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Arty and Jakey
OMD, I'm so jelly of you getting to ride in a train! What fun!
ReplyDeleteWe are still waiting for our crepe myrtle to bloom. Mom thinks Dad trimmed them back too much. But maybe soon.
ReplyDeleteYour Dad must have been in heaven with that train ride. Our Dad has been there a few times on business and has also had the chance to ride the train. Mom says he has to take her there too:)
Woos - Lightning and Misty
Great photos. The train ride would have been my favorite part of the trip, I like trains. Those are nice cups too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pawsome train, Madi! Your dad must have been in 7th heaven on it...we know how much he loves trains.
ReplyDeleteOur Mom's Dad went on this train many years ago - he loved trains too!
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
Cool, very scenic and interesting trip.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely trip! The photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom has been on that train. Her daughter lives in the mountains of Colorado and every time she visits she goes for a ride and then a trip to the train museum.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photographs - you made Mom and Dad smile!
Abby Lab
What a fun train ride and stunning scenery!
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx